Depression

Question 1

What is the layman definition for depression?

Answer 1

Depression is when you feel persistently sad for weeks/months.

(it effects 10% of people at some point in their lives)

Question 2

What is a syndrome?

Answer 2

A constellation of symptoms and signs.

Question 3

How do we describe depression as a recurrent illness?

Answer 3

A recurrent depressive disorder.

Question 4

What is the pathology of depression?

Answer 4

Largely unknown.

May be associated to lack of serotonin in hippocampus (causing a low mood)

Question 5

How do anti-depressive drugs work?

Answer 5

Increase amounts of serotonin uptake / reduces breakdown of serotonin.

Question 6

What are the main risk factors of becoming depressed? (9)

Answer 6

• Stress
• Smoking
• Alcohol
• Adverse Life Event
• Family / Friend Death
• Family History
• Chronic Disease
• Drug misuse

Question 7

What is the ICD-10 classification of Mild Depression?

Answer 7

2 Core Symptoms (C) + 2 Additional Symptoms (O) = 4

Question 8

What is the ICD-10 classification of Moderate Depression?

Answer 8

2 Core Symptoms (C) + 4 Additional Symptoms (O) = 6

Question 9

What is the ICD-10 Classification of Severe Depression?

Answer 9

3 Core Symptoms (C) + 5 Additional Symptoms (O) = 8

Question 10

What are the main core symptoms (C) of DEPRESSION [as described in the IDC-10]? (3)

Answer 10

• Depressed Mood
• Energy Loss / Fatigue
• Pleasure loss (Anhedonia) / Loss of interest

Question 11

What is the IDC-10 definition of depressed mood? (4)

Answer 11

Abnormal mood for most part of the day.

Almost Every DAY

For the past two weeks.

Uninfluenced by external circumstances.

Question 12

What are the additional symptoms (O) of DEPRESSION [as described in ICD-10]?

Answer 12

• Retardation
• Eating Change
• Sleep Change
• Suicidal Thoughts
• “I am a failure” (loss of confidence)
• ” Only I am to blame” (guilt)
• No concentration

Question 13

What are the three spheres of depression symptoms?

Answer 13

Psychological
Physical
Social

Question 14

What are some psychological symptoms of depression? (3)

Answer 14

• Mood change (depression, anxiety)
• Thought content change (guild, hopelessness)
• Delusions / Hallucinations

Question 15

What are some physical symptoms of depression? (3)

Answer 15

• Bodily function change (weight loss, apetite and sex drive reduction)
• Sleep change
• Psychomotor function changes (retardation or agitation)

Question 16

What are some social symptoms of depression? (6)

Answer 16

Withdrawal
Apathy
Loss of confidence
Loss of concentration
Memory loss
Irritability

Question 17

What psychological treatments are available for mild depression? (4)

Answer 17

CBT

IPT

Individual dynamic psychotherapy

Family therapy

Question 18

What physical treatments are “available” for mild depression? (4)

Answer 18

Psychosurgery

ECT

Deep Brain Stimulation

Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Question 19

What treatment is available for moderate and severe depression?

Answer 19

Anti-depressants

Question 20

What anti-depressants are used to treat depression? (3)

Answer 20

1) SSRIs - Sertraline
2) TCAs - Amitryptiline
3) Monamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MOI)

Question 21

How long does a typical depressive episode last?

Answer 21

4 to 6 months

Question 22

What percentage of people with depression recover at 26 weeks?

Answer 22

54%

Question 23

What percentage of people fail to recover from depression?

Answer 23

12%

Question 24

What percentage of depression patients commit suicide?

Answer 24

15%

Question 25

What percentage of people have multiple episodes of depression?

Answer 25

80%

Question 26

What are some medical differentials to depression? (6)

Answer 26

• Stroke
• Addisons
• Infections (flu, mononucleosis, hepatitis, HIV)
• Tumour
• Hypothyroidism
• Hyperparathyroidism

Question 27

What are some psychological differentials to depression? (6)

Answer 27

• S.A.D
• Dysthymia
• Dementia
• Drug abuse
• Bipolar Disorder
• Cyclothymia