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Questions and Answers
Which class of antidepressants is known to primarily inhibit the reabsorption of serotonin in the brain?
What significant risk is associated with the initial phase of antidepressant treatment?
Which of the following is NOT a mechanism by which major antidepressant classes work to alleviate depression?
Which treatment option is characterized by the use of controlled electrical impulses to induce seizures?
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In terms of comparative effectiveness, which treatment is generally more beneficial for severe Major Depression?
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What type of therapy is specifically effective for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?
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Which procedure uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific brain regions as a treatment for depression?
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Which side effect is commonly associated with various classes of antidepressants?
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Which factor is most associated with the increased diagnosis of depression among females compared to males?
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What is a major characteristic of 'kindling' in the context of depression?
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Which form of psychotherapy focuses on modifying negative thought patterns?
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Which statement best describes 'double depression'?
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What common issue can occur in severe major depression?
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Which therapy is particularly aimed at preventing relapse through mindfulness?
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What is a key criticism of psychogenic theories regarding major depression?
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Which of the following cognitive styles is associated with females in the context of depression?
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Which of the following factors has NOT been identified as contributing to the decline in young people's mental health?
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Which profession is primarily involved in direct patient care for mental health?
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What is a disadvantage of clinical case studies in mental health research?
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In the context of mental health, which type of psychotherapy is most directly associated with enhancing resilience in young individuals?
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Which of the following is true regarding the impact of stigma on mental health?
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Which group of mental health professionals is involved in both direct patient care and research?
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What is a potential negative effect of over-pathologizing normal feelings in society?
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In terms of managing care in mental health, which criticism is commonly associated with the insurance-based model?
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Study Notes
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
- Females are diagnosed with MDD twice as often as males
- MDD in males is often masked by alcohol and drug abuse
- Possible explanations for the higher occurrence of depression in females:
- X-linked depression genes
- Premenstrual syndrome symptoms
- Quality of life differences between genders
- Female masochism (Freud)
- Cognitive style differences:
- Females tend to dwell on problems
- Males tend to avoid or escape problems
- "Kindling" and depression risk: previous depressive episodes increase the risk of future episodes
- Persistent depressive disorder and "double depression":
- There is a depressive episode occurring on top of persistent depressive disorder
- Individuals struggling with "baseline" depression experience a deeper depressive episode
- Psychotic features in severe MDD:
- Hallucinations (e.g., hearing voices)
- Delusions (e.g., beliefs of guilt or worthlessness)
Treatment for MDD
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Psychotherapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Targets negative thought patterns, and proven effective
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): Focuses on relationship issues, supported by evidence
- Behavioral Activation: Increases engaging in positive activities, effective for lifting mood
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Natural Remission: Some depressive episodes resolve on their own, suggesting natural cycles and influencing theories of depression's episodic nature
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Problems with Psychogenic Theories: Potential for overemphasis on psychological origins, neglecting biological causes and limiting treatment options
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Third-wave CBT Variants:
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Encourages acceptance of thoughts, proven effective
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT): Uses mindfulness to prevent relapse, supported by evidence
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Brain changes in depression:
- Low levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)
- Neurotransmitter imbalances
- Neocortical disturbances
- Antidepressants potentially normalize these changes
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Types of Antidepressant Medications:
- Classes: SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, tricyclics
- Use: Depression, anxiety, OCD
- Side Effects: Vary by class, include fatigue, nausea, and dry mouth
- Precautions: Careful dosage, side effects may affect treatment adherence
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Antidepressant Medication and Suicidality:
- Initial treatment phase may increase suicide risk, requiring close monitoring
- Highest risk is when individuals feel better and don't want to return to their previous state, or finally having the motivation to take their own life
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Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
- Nature of treatment: Controlled electrical impulses used to induce seizures
- Effectiveness: High for severe depression, potential side effect of memory loss
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Alternative Treatments:
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): Stimulates brain regions, "Stanford protocol" showing promising results
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS): Device used to stimulate the vagus nerve
- Ketamine: Rapid relief in severe cases, requires careful supervision
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Comparative Effectiveness of Medications vs Psychotherapy:
- Mild to moderate depression: both can be effective
- Severe cases: May benefit more from medication
Other Disorders and Mental Health
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Depression linked to seasons
- Phototherapy: Light therapy for mood improvement, effective in many cases
- Other disorders associated with depression: Often treated with antidepressants
Mental Health Professions
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Direct Patient Care Roles:
- Psychiatrists (M.D.'s)
- Clinical Psychologists (Ph.D.'s)
- Social Workers (M.S.W.'s / D.S.W.'s)
- Psychiatric Nurses (R.N.'s)
- Marriage & Family Therapists (M.F.T.'s)
- Psych Technicians
- Mental Health Intake Workers, Staff
- Primary Care Practitioner M.D.'s (PCP’s)
- Physician Assistants (P.A.’s)
- Nurse Practitioners (N.P.’s)
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Mental Health Research Roles:
- Psychiatrists
- Clinical psychologists
- Neuroscientists
- Endocrinologists
- Psychopharmacologists
- Geneticists
- Epidemiologists
- Clinical trial managers
- Biostatisticians
Potential Contributors to Declining Young People's Mental Health
- Social media use: Promotes social comparison, lowering self-esteem, especially in young females
- Climate anxiety: Repeated warnings about environmental crises increase stress
- Helicopter parenting: Limits resilience by protecting children from failure or disappointment
- Education without competition: Reduces preparedness for college and real-world challenges
- Pressure to attend college: Family and personal expectations pushing students towards college over alternative paths
- Over-pathologizing normal feelings: Everyday emotions like boredom or loneliness being labeled as disorders
- Decreased stigma: Social media influencers openly discussing diagnoses, making mental health labels more common
Managed Care
- Insurance-based model emphasizing cost-efficient, brief treatments
- Critics argue it can limit the quality of mental health care
Research Methods in Psychopathology
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Advantages and Disadvantages of Research Methods:
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Clinical Case Studies (Case Histories)
- Advantages: Detailed, in-depth insights, useful for rare cases
- Disadvantages: Limited generalizability, potential researcher bias
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Correlational Methods
- Advantages: Identifies relationships between variables, useful in large populations
- Disadvantages: Cannot determine causation
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Experimental Methods
- Advantages: Establishes cause-and-effect relationships
- Disadvantages: Ethical concerns, limited real-world applicability, cost and time
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Clinical Case Studies (Case Histories)
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Description
Explore the complexities of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) with a focus on gender differences in diagnosis and symptoms. This quiz delves into the potential reasons for higher rates of MDD in females, the effects of prior episodes, and the presence of psychotic features in severe cases. Test your understanding of this critical mental health issue.
