Depression: Biological treatments - Abnormal Psychology

Question 1

Biomedical treatments is for what?

Answer 1

Biomedical approaches to treatment are based on the assumption that if the problem is based on biological malfunctioning, drugs should be used to restore the biological system.

Question 2

MDD stands for?

Answer 2

Major Depressive Disorder

Question 3

MDD

Answer 3

is assumed to involve an imbalance in neurotransmission, antidepressant medications are used to restore an appropriate chemical balance in the brain.

Question 4

What does drug treatment do for MDD?

Answer 4

Medication/drugs for this are used to provide symptom relife not addressing the CAUSE of MDD.

Question 5

Positive response

Answer 5

clear improvement

Question 6

remission

Answer 6

near absence of symptoms

Question 7

replase

Answer 7

symptoms reutrn after medication discontinued

Question 8

how do neurotrasmitters cme into play?

Answer 8

Drugs affect nuerotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline). Anti-depressants aim to increase/decrease levels of available neurotransmitters in synaptic gap. Neurotransmitters are affected by reputake pumps. Once neurotransmitter released and binds to receptor on postsynpatic membrane, neurotransmitter is reabsorbed into terminal buttons.

Question 9

SSRIs what does it stand for

Answer 9

Selective Serotonin Reputake Inhibitors

Question 10

SSRIs

Answer 10

blocks binding of neurotrasmitters this process of reupake and allows higher levels of serotonin in synapse. Most common SSRIs is Prozac.

Question 11

Pratt et al (2011)

Answer 11

AIM: Examine the prevalence of antidepressant use in the United States and its economic impact.
PROCEDURE:
Data analyzed from 2005–2008 on antidepressant usage among Americans aged 12 and older.
Examination of prescription data from 2010 to assess frequency and economic implications.
FINDINGS:
Over 1 in 10 Americans aged 12+ reported taking antidepressant drugs during the 2005–2008 period.
In 2010, antidepressants were the second most commonly prescribed medication (after cholesterol-lowering drugs).
Approximately 254 million prescriptions for antidepressants were written in 2010, amounting to nearly 10 billion dollars in costs.

Question 12

evaluation points for pratt et al (2011)

Answer 12

Strengths:
Highlights the high prevalence of antidepressant use in the U.S., raising awareness of mental health treatment trends.
Demonstrates the significant economic impact of antidepressant prescriptions on healthcare systems.
Limitations:
Data does not include detailed demographics (e.g., gender, socioeconomic status) to understand variations in antidepressant use.
Does not account for reasons for prescription (e.g., depression, anxiety, off-label use).
Lacks information on effectiveness or long-term outcomes of antidepressant use.
Further research needed to explore underlying factors driving the high prescription rates and economic burden.

Question 13

Leuchter et al (2002)

Answer 13

AIM: To see changes in brain function of depressed subjects during treatment with placebo
PROCUDURE:
-Brain function was examined in 51 patients with depression
-Patients recieved a placebo or active antidepressant medication
-EEG was used to compare brain function
-2 different SSRI’s (Selective serotonin EE-uptake inhibitor) were randomly allocated to participants
-Lasted 9 weeks
Double blind and lab experiment
FINDINGS:
-A significant increase in activity in the prefrontal cortex with placebo group
-Patients in both groups got better (placebo was just as effective)

Question 14

evaluation points for leuchter

Answer 14

Strengths
-Brain scan gave quantitative data
-Double blind meant no researcher bias
Limitations
Deception

Question 15

Strenghts of drug therapy

Answer 15

-Brain scan gave quantitative data
-Double blind meant no researcher bias

Question 16

limitations of drug therapy

Answer 16

Limitations: 1. side effects of the drug itself. E.g. nausea, increased weight gain, loss of sexual desire, insomnia, blurred vision, constipation, dissiness, and anxiety. **some contribuite to lowering self-esteem or sense of autonomy – characteristics of people living with chronic depression. 2. Not sure how these drugs alleviate symptoms of depression and why its not effective for all patients. 3. Takes several week of treatment before benefits. 4. Not all patients respond. 5. Chance of replase is high. 6. Developing a dependence on the drug

Question 17

Reductionist approach