Depression & Suicide

Question 1

sub threshold depressive symptoms

Answer 1

at least one key symptom but with insufficient other symptoms and/or function impairment to meet the criteria

Question 2

Dysthymia

Answer 2

symptoms that are subthreshold for depression but lasts at least
2 years.

Question 3

what’s another name for Bipolar disorder

Answer 3

manic-depressive illness

characterised by severe highs (mania) and severe lows (depression)

Question 4

key symptoms of depression

Answer 4

• persistent sadness or low mood and/or marked loss of interests or pleasure

AT LEAST ONE OF THESE SYMTPMS, MOST DAYS, MOST OF THE TIME, FOR AT LEAST TWO WEEKS

Question 5

When talking about the key symptoms of depression you must always ask about associated symptoms

Answer 5

disturbed sleep 
decreased/increased appetite 
fatigue/loss of energy 
poor concentration 
indecision 

ask about family history as well

Question 6

ANHEDONIA

Answer 6

Loss of interest or
pleasure in hobbies
and activities that
were once enjoyed

Question 7

cognitive symptoms

Answer 7

– Lowered self-esteem and self-confidence
– Feelings of guilt and worthlessness
– Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness
– Pessimistic and recurrently negative thoughts about oneself, world, and future
 ‘negative cognitive triad’
• Poor concentration and reduced attention, difficulty making decisions
• Mental slowing or rumination
• Suicidal ideation may be present

Question 8

negative cognitive triad

Answer 8

• negative views about oneself
• negative views about the future
• negative views about the world

Question 9

biological symptoms

Answer 9

• Lowered appetite, weight loss, sometimes weight gain
• Insomnia, early-morning awakening, feeling worse in the morning
• Low energy, fatigue
• Loss of libido
• Social withdrawal

Question 10

what are the combining factors that cause depression

Answer 10

• genetic and family factors
• early life experiences
• stressful life events
• social support
• gender

Question 11

examples of early life experiences

Answer 11

• Poor parent-child relationship,
• marital discord and divorce,
• neglect,
• physical and sexual abuse

Question 12

stressful life events

Answer 12

• failure at work, at school, loss of a job
• marital separation
• rejection by a loved one
• death of a child
• illness of a family member
• physical illness

Question 13

why are women more likely to be depressed

Answer 13

• women may express and report symptoms more than men
• hormones
• early life stress, sexual abuse
• additonal home stresses of single parenthood and caring for children and ageing parents etc.

Question 14

what drugs can cause depression

Answer 14

hypertensives, corticostreoids, and chemotherapy agents

Question 15

Depression and chronic illness:

how they can be linked

Answer 15

• adapting unhealthy behaviours (smoking, drinking and bad diet etc.)
• Not adhering to medical regimens
• Direct effects on physiological mechanisms

Question 16

treatment options

Answer 16

• Pharmacological treatments
• Psychological treatments
- physical activity 
- electroconvulsive treatment 
- CBT

Question 17

CBT

Answer 17

• Short-term psychological treatment
• emphasis on the role of thinking in how we feel and what we do
• identify the challenges and unhealthy modes of thinking that cause depressed feelings