Depression Flashcards
what are the three characteristics of mood?
Mood is the persons internal feeling state; mood is the persons pervasive emotional state; mood changes are less connected to internal or external stimuli and occur less spontaneously
Describe affect
Affect is considered to be in the emotional foreground during a clinical interview; it is superficial and immediate
what is anhedonia
is the inability to experience pleasure or the absence of enjoyment form acts that are usually pleasurable
what does alexithymia mean?
alexithymia means literally no words for feelings; the inability to sense and describe mood states
what does euthymia mean?
Euthymia is the word used to describe a normal mood; a person with a normal mood is said to be euthymic
indigenous individuals are at a higher or lower risk of psychological distress?
Higher
do males or females have a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms? Does this prevenance every switch
Females; no females also have a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms
do males or females have a higher prevalence of mood disorders? Does this trend every flip?
Females; no females also have a higher prevalence of mood disorders
are males or females more likely to commit suicide? For males when is the highest risk of suicide?
Males; 25-29
what are the different types of depression?
Major depressive disorder; mood disorder due to general medical condition; substance-induced mood disorder; adjustment disorder with depressed mood; dysthymic disorder; mood disorder not otherwise specified
what is the approximant lifetime risk of depression in males? Females?
males:10% females:20%
for a diagnosis of major depression a _ week history of what two symptoms is needed?
a 2 week history of depressed mood OR loss of interest or pleasure
other than depressed mood and loss of interest or pleasure what are some common symptoms of depression?
Change in weight or appetite; sleep disturbances; agitation or retardation; fatigue or loss of energy; worthlessness or guilt; poor concentration; thoughts of death or suicide
what is the mnemonic for depressive symptoms?
SAD-A-FACES; Sleep; Appetite and weight; Dysphoria; Anhedonia; fatigue and anergia; Agitation or retardation; Concentration; Esteem; Suicidal thoughts
what are three less common symptoms of MDD (not covered by the mnemonic)?
Diurnal variation of mood or energy (worse in the morning); panic attacks; loss of libido (Sex drive); lack of reactivity
what are the two main Psychotic features of depression?
Delusions (involving themes of personal inadequacy; guilt; disease death; poverty; hypochondriasis; nihilism; or deserved punishment) Hallucinations (usually voices making negative comments about the patient and involving similar themes to the delusional content)
the onset of MDD is either fast or slow?
May be ether fast or slow
what triggers the onset of MDD?
sometimes can follow a clearly identifiable stressor but can occur “Out of the Blue”
how long (untreated) will MDD typically last? What is the suicide rate during this time?
6-12 months; 4-15% (estimates vary)
when injuring about suicide what are some simple questions to ask?
Inquire about hopelessness; helplessness and worthlessness; does the patient feel they would be better off dead?; Are they taking unnecessary risks?; have they thought about killing themselves?; have they made plans to kill themselves?; have they tried to kill themselves?
what are some risk factors for MDD
Gender (F>M); age (onset peaks in late 20s); lower SES; family history; adverse life events; lack of a confiding relationship; physical illness
what are some risk factors for suicide?
Male gender; recent losses; drug and alcohol abuse; MDD; lack of social support; serious physical illness; past history of suicide attempts; family history of suicide
is MDD genetic?
Yes; MDD is 1.5-3 times more common among first degree biological relatives of persons with MDD than among members of the general pop
what are the five areas to investigate when doing an assessment of MDD?
History; mental state examination; physical examination; laboratory investigations; neuroimaging
