18. Depression

Question 1

Epidemiology

Answer 1

More common in women, no increase with age, no differences in ethnic groups.
16-85 higher prevalence?

Question 2

Risk factors

Answer 2

Physical disease (chronic), alcohol use, loss events and social stress, interpersonal difficulties, lack of social supports, age, gender, genes, traumatic events psychological stressors

Question 3

Theories of aetiology

Answer 3

Multifactorial. Genetic, biochemical (diet, dopamine and serotonin), hormonal (corticosteroid usage), neurological, nature vs. nurture and environmental factors.

Question 4

Triggers

Answer 4

Stress triggers hormonal and neurotransmitter imbalances.
Approaches: Psychopathology and pathophysiology.
Schemata and self-referential process (thalamus and hippocampus)

Question 5

Neurobiology

Answer 5

Brain areas in frontal lobes, thalamus, hippocampus etc. must be circulated proper and dysfunction lead to depression.
Implicit cognition is biased towards negative thoughts and negative beliefs on self.
fMRI shows hippocampus

Question 6

Diagnosis

Answer 6

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders 5 (DSM-5)

Question 7

Medical treatment

Answer 7

Antidepressant medication and psychotherapy. Also CBT, electroconvulsive therapy and nerve therapy.

Question 8

Co-occurring conditions

Answer 8

Physical injuries, chronic conditions, substance abuse, anxiety disorders, diabetes