Abnormal Psychology L3

Question 1

What is the diagnostic criteria of a Major Depressive Episode?

Answer 1

Five or more of the following symptoms (including either depressed mood or loss of interest)

• Depressed mood most of the day
• Markedly diminished interest of pleasure in most activities
• Clinically significant weight loss or gain (>5%)
• Insomnia or hypersomnia
• Psychomotor agitation or retardation
• Fatigue of loss of energy
• Feelings of worthlessness and excessive guilt
• Diminished ability to think or concentrate
• Recurrent thoughts of suicide

Question 2

What is the time frame for diagnosing a Major Depressive Episode?

Answer 2

2 weeks.

Must be change in previous functioning

Question 3

What are the two types of depressive disorders (according to the DSM-5)?

Answer 3

1. Major Depressive Disorder

2. Persistent Depressive Disorder

Question 4

Describe Persistent Depressive Disorder?

Answer 4

Lasts at least 2 years. Generally more anhedonic and emotionally numb then MDD, like Eeyore

Question 5

What does the word Etiology mean?

Answer 5

The causes of the condition

Question 6

Is depressions heritable?

Answer 6

Genetic components comprise about 40% of the risk factors for depression

Question 7

What are the biological causes of depression?

Answer 7

. Neurotransmitters (lack of receptor sensitivity)
. Hormones
. Brain abnormality

Question 8

What are the neurotransmitters that are implicated in depression?

Answer 8

• Norepinephrine
• Seratonin
• Dopamine

Question 9

Describe the hormonal response that causes depression?

Answer 9

Cortisol breaks down neurotransmitters which are meant to be active, the absence of which can cause depression.

Question 10

How is cortisol released?

Answer 10

Stressor triggers amygdala. Activates Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis, which releases cortisol.

Question 11

How are the brains of people with depression different from the brains of people without?

Answer 11

Emotional (or limbic) system projects to prefrontal cortex via the serotonergic pathway.
Left/right frontal cortex abnormality

Question 12

Describe the serotonergic pathway.

Answer 12

Emotions conveyed to the prefrontal cortex via:

• Amygdala
• > Subgenual anterior cingulate (don’t need to know)
• > Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (don’t need to know)
• > Hippocampus

Question 13

What side of the prefrontal cortex is more active in people with depression?

Answer 13

The right prefrontal cortex.

The left has been correlated with relaxation and positive emotion

Question 14

Describe the Diathesis-Stress Model.

Answer 14

That people with depressions have a biological vulnerability which causes them to react more negatively and be more stressed to events that would be manageable to the average person.

Question 15

What is the cognitive theory of depression?

Answer 15

Negative events spark certain thought processes in depressed individuals, ie

• hopelessness
• dwelling on negative events

Question 16

What is the negative triad of cognitive theory?

Answer 16

Negative beliefs about..

• The world (they hate me)
• Self (I hate me)
• Future (the future sucks)

Question 17

What is a cognitive distortion?

Answer 17

An automatic thought response to an event - not conscious, just an automatic response.

Question 18

Describe Beck’s cognitive therapy.

Answer 18

Four phases

1. Increase activities and elevate mood
2. Challenge automatic thoughts
3. Identify negative thinking and biases
4. Change primary attitudes/schemas

Question 19

How many sessions does Beck’s cognitive therapy suggest?

Answer 19

20

Question 20

What are some common antidepressant drugs?

Answer 20

• MAO inhibitors
• Tricycles
• Selective Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitors (less negative side effects to other two so best option)

Question 21

How do MAO inhibitors work?

Answer 21

Inhibits Monoamine Oxidase, which stops the breakdown of neurotransmitters.
However, also inhibits break down of tyramine and build up of this is dangerous, so need a very selective diet while on this medication

Question 22

Describe Electroconvulsive Therapy?

Answer 22

Hook up electrodes to the brain under general anesthesia, deliver electric shocks.

Question 23

Is Electroconvulsive Therapy effective?

Answer 23

Surprisingly, yes ( we don’t know why). There can be some side effects though such as memory loss from around the treatment time. Also have to keep going back to prevent relapsing.