BIOCHEMICAL EXPLANATIONS FOR MOOD AFFECTIVE DISORDERS

Question 1

Name 3 psychological frameworks in which the causes of depression can be explained?

Answer 1

1. Biochemical- Imbalance of neurotransmitters.
2. Genetic- Genetic predispositions.
3. Cognitive- Negative triad, attributional style.

Question 2

Define neurotransmitters?

Answer 2

• Chemicals that allow neurons to communicate with each other (throughout the body)

e.g dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine

Question 3

What is the biochemical explanation for depression?

Answer 3

• Depression is linked to imbalances in neurotransitter such as dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine.

Question 4

What role does dopamine play in depression?

Answer 4

• Dopamine= Linked to the brain’s reward system, motivation and pleasure.
• Low dopamine levels= associated with low mood, lack of motivation and anhedonia. (key symptoms of depression)

anhedonia- lack of pleasure

Question 5

What is dopamine?

Answer 5

• A neurotransmitter linked to:
  1. The brain’s reward system.
  2. Motivation
  3. Pleasure.

Question 6

How do antidepressants support the dopamine theory of depression?

Answer 6

• Antidepressants reduce symptoms of depression by increasing dopamine levels.
• Suggesting low dopamine contributes to depression.

Question 7

What role does serotonin play in depression?

Answer 7

• Serotonin= regulates mood, sleep, appetite and anxiety.
• Low serotonin= associated with low mood, anxiety, disruptions to sleep and eating patterns (symptoms of depression)

Question 8

What is serotonin?

Answer 8

• A neurotransmitter that helps to regulate
  1. Mood
  2. Sleep
  3. Appetite
  4. Anxiety

MAAS

Question 9

How do SRRI’s support the serotonin theory of depression?

Answer 9

• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) increase serotonin levels, helping balance mood and anxiety.
• Suggesting low serotonin levels contribute to depression,

Question 10

What role does norepinephrine play in depression?

noro-pin-eferin

Answer 10

• Norepinephrine= regulates arousal, alertness, and stress response.
• Low levels= fatigue, lack of motivation, and poor focus (depressive symptoms)

Question 11

What is nore-pine-phrine?

Answer 11

• A neurotransmitter that regulates:
• Arousal
• Alterness
• Stress repsonses