Psychology PMDD and Mood Disorders

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary characteristic of excessive reassurance seeking?

Avoiding feedback about one's lovability

Limiting social interactions to avoid rejection

Actively seeking criticism from others

Repeatedly asking for confirmation of one's self-worth (correct)

What does Hammen's stress generation hypothesis suggest about individuals with depression?

They tend to avoid stressors altogether.

Their own characteristics contribute to increased stressful life events. (correct)

They have fewer stressful events than non-depressed individuals.

They are unaffected by their behavior in stressful situations.

Which biological factor is associated with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder?

Increased levels of serotonin in the brain

Absence of neurochemical disruptions

A complete lack of genetic influence

Strong genetic predispositions (correct)

What is a significant predictor of developing depression according to research?

Childhood trauma (A) Signup and view all the answers

How are neurotransmitters related to mood disorders?

Disruptions in neurotransmitter transmission are linked to mood disorders. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which brain activity is commonly observed when processing negative information in individuals with mood disorders?

Decreased blood flow in certain brain regions (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the required symptoms for diagnosing Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)?

Marked affective lability (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which personality trait is associated with a higher risk of developing depression?

High levels of neuroticism (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to cognitive theories of mood disorders, what largely determines a person's emotional response to a situation?

The manner in which the situation is appraised (C) Signup and view all the answers

What symptom must be present in most menstrual cycles over the past year to meet PMDD criteria?

Five symptoms must be chronic (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a behavioral pattern that might lead to depression?

Fear of new experiences with high behavior inhibition (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which bipolar characteristic is NOT typically associated with mood disorders?

Low levels of neuroticism (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common symptom that may coexist with PMDD according to the provided context?

Anxiety (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT part of the etiology of mood disorders?

Sudden lifestyle changes (B) Signup and view all the answers

What defines all-or-nothing thinking in cognitive distortions?

Interpreting events based on absolute outcomes (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes overgeneralization?

Assuming a single negative event applies to all situations (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the cognitive triad?

Negative self-perception, lack of future planning, and pessimistic worldview (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does excessive reassurance seeking affect individuals with depression?

Perpetuates feelings of rejection and alienation (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary function of schemas in cognitive psychology?

Representing core beliefs about oneself and the world (C) Signup and view all the answers

In Dr. William Swann’s self-verification theory, what role does negative feedback seeking play?

It helps individuals align with self-schemas through criticism (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which cognitive distortion involves interpreting events negatively without definite evidence?

Jumping to conclusions (C) Signup and view all the answers

What effect do the behaviors of depressed individuals have on their social support systems?

They lead to interpersonal rejection and relationship stress (C) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

Characterized by significant emotional instability, irritability, depression, anxiety, and additional symptoms like loss of interest, concentration issues, low energy, appetite and sleep changes, and physical symptoms.
DSM-V criteria require at least five symptoms to be present, significantly affecting daily life, and occurring in most menstrual cycles over the past year.

Etiology of Mood Disorders

Mood disorders result from various factors, including psychological, environmental, and biological influences.
Psychological aspects include personality traits and cognitive patterns that can exacerbate mood issues.
Environmental factors encompass life stressors and traumatic experiences.

Personality Theories

Personality styles influence depression risk, particularly high neuroticism, low extroversion, and low conscientiousness.
Two personality patterns elevate depression risk:
- High behavioral inhibition leads to fear of novelty and sensitivity to punishment.
- High behavioral activation corresponds with impulsivity and difficulty regulating emotions in response to rewards.

Cognitive Theories

Beck’s cognitive theory posits that emotional responses depend on individual evaluations of situations.
Swann’s self-verification theory suggests individuals seek criticism consistent with their self-perceptions.
Excessive reassurance seeking involves repeatedly seeking affirmation of worth from others, regardless of prior reassurances.
Hammen’s stress generation hypothesis states that individuals with depression have higher incidences of stressful events related to their behaviors.
Stress plays a significant role in the onset of depression, with individuals experiencing stressful life events being nearly three times more likely to develop depression.
Childhood trauma is a significant predictor of future depressive disorders.

Biological Causal Factors

Genetic, neurochemical, and structural brain factors play critical roles in mood disorders.
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder both have strong heritable components.
Mood disorders are linked to disruptions in neurotransmitter functions and imbalances.
Advanced imaging techniques reveal decreased blood flow in certain brain regions and heightened activity in limbic areas, such as the amygdala, when processing negative stimuli.

Cognitive Distortions

Common cognitive distortions include:
- All-or-nothing thinking: Viewing situations in black and white terms.
- Overgeneralization: Perceiving a single negative event as part of a continual pattern using absolute terms like "always" or "never."
- Magnification/Catastrophizing: Exaggerating the importance of mistakes or problems.
- Jumping to conclusions: Making negative assumptions without supporting evidence.

Schemas and the Cognitive Triad

Schemas are mental frameworks that contain core beliefs about self, world, and future.
The cognitive triad encompasses a negative perspective of oneself, the world, and future possibilities.

Interpersonal Models

Individuals at risk for depression may exhibit behaviors that alienate others, leading to interpersonal rejection and relationship strain, which can worsen depressive symptoms.
Depressed individuals often engage in excessive reassurance seeking, which can contribute to feelings of alienation.
Swann’s self-verification theory highlights the tendency to seek out negative feedback that aligns with existing self-schemas, perpetuating depressive states.

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Description

Explore the complexities of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) and its impact on emotional stability. This quiz also delves into the etiology of mood disorders and the influence of personality theories on mental health. Test your understanding of psychological, environmental, and biological factors affecting mood.