ch #10 mood disorders lecture notes Flashcards
describe depression in infants
anaclitic depression (spitz)—infants raised in a clean but emotionally cold institutional environment or in severely dysfunctional families show depression like reactions
describe depression in preschoolers
may appear extremely somber and tearful, lacking exuberances; may display excessive clinging and whiny behaviour around mothers.
describe depression in school-age children
similar as preschool children, plus increasing irritability, disruptive behaviour and tantrums
describe depression in preteens
irritable, self blame, low self-esteem, persistent sadness, and social inhibition
discuss the prevalence of mood disorders and depression
-between 2% and 8% of children 4-18 experience MDD
-depression is rare among preschool children (1-2%)
-the increase during school age years due to social pressures, increase in cognitive abilities and self-awareness
-the sharp increase in adolescence may result from biological maturations at puberty interacting with developmental changes
describe onset, course and outcome of MDD/depression
-onset my be gradual or sudden
-age of onset: 13-15 yrs
-average duration of an episode: 8 months
-reoccurrence of other episodes is common: up to 70% chances of reoccurrence within 5 years
-30% will later develop bipolar disorder
describe the comorbidity associated with MDD
-90% of young people with depression have one or more other disorders
-50% have two or more other disorders
-depression+anxiety=73.8%–85% of cases anxiety comes first
-depression+behaviour problems=47.2%
-60% of adolescents with MDD have comorbid personality disorders, especially borderline personality disorder.
-dysthymia and substance use disorder
what are the differences between MDD and PDD?
- milder symptoms (at least 2 instead of 5)
-longer duration (instead of 2 weeks)
-associated with poorer response to treatment
-if PDD is presented with MDD it is called Double Depression
-PDD develops earlier (11yrs) - average episode 2-5 years
what are some associated characteristics with mood disorders in regards to intellectual and academic functioning
-difficulty concentrating, loss of interest and slowness of thought and movement may affect academic functioning–lower scores on tests, poor teacher rating, and lower levels of grade attainment
-interference with academic performance, but not necessarily related to intellectual deficits–may have problems on tasks requiring attention, coordination and speed
what are some associated characteristics in regards to cognitive biases and distortions
-selective attentional biases to negative information (negative emotional expressions)
- feelings of worthlessness, negative beliefs, attributions of failure, self-critical and automatic thoughts
-depressive ruminative style, pessimistic outlook and negative self-esteem
-negative thinking and faulty conclusions generalized across situations, hopelessness and suicidal ideation
what are some associated characteristics in regards to social, peer and family problems
social and peer problems:
-few close friendships, feelings of loneliness, and isolation
-social withdrawal and ineffective styles of coping in social situations
Family Problems:
-have more conflicted relationships with parents and siblings
-feel socially isolated from families and prefers to be alone (often to avoid conflict)
-be negative towards family members who may in turn be negative/harsh or dismissive towards them
-most youngsters with depression think about suicide and as many as one-third who think about it, attempt it–most common methods for those who complete suicide are firearms, hanging, suffocation, poisoning and overdose.
-worldwide the strongest risk factors are having a mood disorder and being a young female
-ages 13-14 are peak periods for a first suicide attempt by those with depression
what are some associated characteristics in regards to suicide
In Canada in 2016:
-5 children/youth out of 100000 die of suicide
-200 children/youth out of 100000 were hospitalized because of self injury
Depression is one of the strongest risk factor and warning signs for suicidality
what are some causes of depression?
-Biological factors (genes, brain)
-Environmental factors (family, stess)
-Psychological factors (cognitive errors)
describe the biological causes of mood disorders
-twin and other genetic studies suggest moderate genetic influence, with heritability estimates ranging from 30-45%
-children of parents with depression have about 3x risk of having depression
-what is inherited is likely a vulnerability to depression and anxiety, not one specific gene for depressive symptoms (with certain environmental stressors needed for this disorders to be expressed –> gene environment interaction
-abnormalities in the structure and function of several brain regions that regulate emotional functions
describe the environmental causes of mood disorders
the families of children with depression tend to be:
-more critical and punitive toward the depressed child than toward other children
-more likely to experience high levels of stress
-more likely to experience marital conflict
-more likely to experience lack of social support
-more likely to be depressed (especially postpardum depression) which negatively affects their parenting skills
-more likely to be characterized by insecure attachment styles
triggers for depression may involve:
-interpersonal stress and actual or perceived personal losses
-life changes
-violent family environment
-everyday life events/challenges
