Mood Disorders Overview

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Questions and Answers

What does a total score of 30 or more indicate when assessing depression severity?

Mild depression

Minimal depression

Moderate depression

Severe depression (correct)

Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with regulating mood, sleep, and appetite?

Dopamine

Norepinephrine

Serotonin (correct)

Glutamate

What is a limitation of self-reporting in assessing depressive symptoms?

It measures biochemical factors.

It may lack reliability.

It is objective and unbiased.

It can introduce bias. (correct)

Which gene has been linked to mood disorders, particularly in bipolar disorder?

5-HTT gene Signup and view all the answers

What is one strength of the scoring system used to assess depression severity?

It ensures objectivity. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of bipolar disorder, what might manic episodes be associated with?

Dysregulation of neurotransmitters Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the aim of the study by Oruc et al. (1997)?

To investigate genetic markers linked to bipolar disorder. Signup and view all the answers

What is one characteristic of first-degree relatives of individuals with bipolar disorder?

More likely to develop the disorder than the general population Signup and view all the answers

What is overgeneralization in the context of cognitive distortions?

Drawing broad conclusions from a single negative event. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of learned helplessness?

A feeling of passive resignation to circumstances. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of attribution suggests that individuals believe negative events will persist over time?

Stable Attributions Signup and view all the answers

What did Seligman et al. (1988) find in their study regarding attribution style and depressive symptoms?

Negative attributions predicted symptom severity. Signup and view all the answers

What is catastrophizing in cognitive distortions?

Overemphasizing the likelihood of the worst-case scenarios. Signup and view all the answers

How does global attribution affect an individual's view of negative events?

They believe all aspects of their life are affected by individual failures. Signup and view all the answers

What relationship was found between reduced pessimism during therapy and depressive symptoms?

Therapy with reduced pessimism linked to improved symptoms. Signup and view all the answers

What attribute relates to an individual's explanation of their behavior and events?

Attribution Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining feature of Depressive Disorder (Unipolar)?

Persistently low mood and sadness Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a symptom of Bipolar Disorder?

Episodes of mania or hypomania Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates Type 2 Bipolar Disorder from Type 1?

Includes at least one hypomanic episode Signup and view all the answers

How long must symptoms persist for a diagnosis of Depressive Disorder?

Most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks Signup and view all the answers

What does the Beck Depression Inventory specifically measure?

Severity of depression Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of a manic episode?

Decreased need for sleep Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to a less severe form of mania that does not cause significant impairment?

Hypomania Signup and view all the answers

What type of responses does the Beck Depression Inventory utilize?

Numerical scale responses from 0 to 3 Signup and view all the answers

What is a noted limitation of the study on bipolar disorder conducted in Croatia?

Participants were only from one country, limiting the findings' applicability. Signup and view all the answers

Which neurotransmitter was discussed in relation to gender differences in the study?

Serotonin Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of genetic factors in bipolar disorder does the study address?

Female participants showed more genetic markers linked to mood disorders. Signup and view all the answers

According to Beck's Cognitive Theory of Depression, what reinforces depressive symptoms?

Negative cognitive patterns Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by the findings of the study regarding genetic susceptibility?

Females have a small genetic susceptibility, suggesting non-genetic causes must also be considered. Signup and view all the answers

What empirical support did the study provide regarding mood disorders?

It provided evidence for the role of genetics in mood disorder development. Signup and view all the answers

What does Beck’s Negative Cognitive Triad suggest about individuals with depression?

They hold negative views about themselves, the world, and the future. Signup and view all the answers

What was the age range of participants in the study?

Adults aged 31-70 Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of Cognitive Restructuring in therapy?

To reframe thoughts about distressing situations Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the focus of Ellis's Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)?

To change irrational beliefs based on the ABC model Signup and view all the answers

How many patients were included in the study by Wiles et al. (2013) concerning cognitive therapy's effectiveness?

469 patients Signup and view all the answers

What did Lyons and Woods (1991) find in their meta-analysis of REBT outcome studies?

Patients receiving REBT showed significant improvement over baseline measures. Signup and view all the answers

What is a central tenet of the stoicism philosophy as applied in REBT?

Perception of events shapes emotional responses. Signup and view all the answers

What is the process known as “disputing” in REBT aimed at achieving?

To create constructive, rational patterns of thinking. Signup and view all the answers

What are the psychological effects of withdrawal from medication described as?

Negative physical or psychological effects Signup and view all the answers

What outcome is primarily associated with cognitive therapy based on the findings of Wiles et al. (2013)?

Reduction in symptoms for patients resistant to antidepressants Signup and view all the answers

What effect does high trait anxiety have on pessimism levels in bipolar individuals?

It leads to higher levels of pessimism. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the cognitive attribution style of depressed individuals?

Internal, global, and stable attributions for negative events. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of antidepressant works by stopping the reabsorption of serotonin and norepinephrine?

Tricyclics Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a significant side effect of MAOIs?

Headaches and insomnia Signup and view all the answers

How does Beck’s Cognitive Restructuring therapy approach depressive thoughts?

By questioning and replacing irrational thoughts with balanced thinking. Signup and view all the answers

What is a notable disadvantage of tricyclic antidepressants?

Their side effects can include drowsiness and weight gain. Signup and view all the answers

What type of antidepressants is most commonly prescribed today?

SSRIs Signup and view all the answers

What type of interaction can occur with MAOIs?

Negative interactions with certain foods and medications. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Mood (Affective) Disorders

Mood disorders involve severe mood disturbances, impacting daily life, including low mood (depression) or mood swings (bipolar).
Depressive disorder (unipolar) is characterized by persistent low mood, sadness, and loss of interest in activities.

Depressive Disorder (Unipolar)

Symptoms include intense sadness, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, changes in appetite (weight loss or gain), difficulty concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.
Duration: Symptoms must be present most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks.

Bipolar Disorder

Defined by extreme mood swings, including depressive episodes and episodes of mania or hypomania.
Type 1: Characterized by at least one manic episode alternating with depressive episodes.
Type 2: At least one major depressive episode and one hypomanic episode with less severe manic symptoms.

Bipolar 1 vs Bipolar 2

Mania (Bipolar 1): At least one episode of extreme mania lasting over a week.
Hypomania (Bipolar 2): Symptoms of hypomania (milder form of mania) lasting at least four days.
Depression (Both): Depressive episodes are present in both types. Bipolar 2 tends to have milder depression than Bipolar 1.

Manic Episode

Elevated mood, increased activity or energy, inflated self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, and reckless behavior.

Hypomania

Similar to mania but less severe; does not significantly impair functioning or require hospitalization.

Psychometric Testing

Method used to measure personality traits, emotional states, or other experiences via sets of questions and numerical scales.

Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)

Widely used self-report questionnaire assessing depression severity.
Structure: 21 multiple-choice questions about specific depression symptoms (e.g., sadness, fatigue).
Scoring: 0-3 scale for symptoms, with higher scores indicating more severe depression (minimal, mild, moderate or severe).

Strengths of BDI

Robust instrument with high reliability and validity.
Provides consistent and accurate measurements.

Limitations of BDI

Self-report, which may introduce bias.
Does not account for cultural or situational factors.

Biological Explanations of Depression and Bipolar Disorder

Biochemical factors: Low levels of key neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline) are associated with depression.
Serotonin: Regulates mood, sleep, and appetite; deficiencies linked to feelings of sadness and fatigue.
Dopamine: Involved in reward, pleasure, and motivation; low levels linked to lack of motivation and pleasure.

Genetic Factors in Bipolar Disorder

First-degree relatives of individuals with bipolar disorder are more likely to develop the disorder.
5-HTT gene (serotonin transporter gene) is potentially linked to mood disorders.

Key Study (Oruc et al., 1997)

Researcher sought to identify genetic markers associated with bipolar disorder, focusing on the 5-HTT gene (serotonin transporter).
Found no significant associations in studied sample.
Evidence suggests gender differences in vulnerability to genetic markers linked to mood disorders.

Cognitive Explanations

Beck's Cognitive Theory of Depression: Negative cognitive triad (negative views of oneself, the world, and the future) cause distorted thinking and depression.
Cognitive Distortions: Depressed individuals make errors in thinking such as overgeneralization or catastrophizing.

Learned Helplessness/Attributional Style

Learned helplessness: Passive resignation or belief that one has no control over their circumstances.
Attributional style: How individuals explain causes of behavior and events (internal, global, stable), affecting likelihood of learned helplessness.

Learned Helplessness and Mood Disorders (Study by Seligman)

Link between attributional style and prediction of depressive symptoms demonstrated (positive correlation).
Non-depressed controls had lower pessimism levels.
Improvement in attributional style correlated with improved BDI scores (depressive symptoms).

Treatment and Management

Biological treatments (tricyclics, MAOIs, SSRIs) commonly administered.
Psychological treatment: Cognitive therapy (e.g., Beck's Cognitive Restructuring) helps patients challenge irrational thoughts, reducing negative automatic thoughts.

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)

Focuses on changing irrational beliefs (ABC Model: Activating Events, Beliefs, Consequences).

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Description

Explore the key concepts of mood disorders including unipolar depression and bipolar disorder. Understand the symptoms, definitions, and differences between Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2. This quiz will test your knowledge on how these disorders affect daily life.