Depressive Disorders

Question 1

A relatively new diagnosis to the DSM, is included to capture children with frequent temper tantrums and irritability and prevent the overdiagnosis of other closely related disorders such as bipolar disorder or oppositional defiant disorder

Answer 1

Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD)

Question 2

Individuals diagnosed with this disorder usually report experiencing a dampening or lowering of mood. People who live with this disorder do not bounce back; this down feeling consumes their entire lives to the extent that nothing is interesting or fun anymore (also feelings of worthlessness, loss of energy etc)

Answer 2

Major depressive disorder

Question 3

A marked loss of ability to experience pleasure

Answer 3

Anhedonia

Question 4

The presence of physical changes that are critical to determining a mood disorder. Often serves as signals in the form of changes in sleep patterns, energy levels, or appetite fluctuations

Answer 4

Vegetative features

Question 5

A vegetative feature in which an individual cannot sleep

Answer 5

Insomnia

Question 6

A vegetative feature in which an individual is sleeping too much

Answer 6

Hypersomnia

Question 7

A viewpoint that traditional values or beliefs are unfounded and that existence is senseless or useless

Answer 7

Nihilism

Question 8

Thoughts about killing oneself

Answer 8

Suicidal ideation

Question 9

Characterized by a relatively low-grade but chronic depression that often lasts for years. The person’s symptoms are somewhat milder but remain relatively unchanged

Answer 9

Persistent depressive disorder

Question 10

A premenstrual syndrome associated primarily with the latter phase (or luteal phase) of the menstrual cycle, consisting of a cluster of affective, behavioral, and somatic symptoms. Considered a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), the disorder affects between 1.8 percent and 5.8 percent of menstruating women

Answer 10

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder

Question 11

Also known as mood swings

Answer 11

Affective liability

Question 12

The sudden death of some brain cells due to a lack of oxygen when blood flow to the brain is impaired by a blocked vein or artery

Answer 12

Cerebrovascular accident

Question 13

The class of drugs considered the first-line choice of treatment for depression. They work by selectively inhibiting or blocking the presynaptic reuptake of serotonin (the neurotransmitter that can have either an excitatory or inhibitory effect associated with sleep, mood, anxiety, and appetite) in the brain

Answer 13

Selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Question 14

A medication that acts in a slightly different manner by blocking reuptake of norepinephrine (which affects the neurons that are involved in increased heart rate, the slowing of intestinal activity associated with stress, and the neurons involved in learning, memory, dreaming, waking from sleep, and emotion) as well as serotonin

Answer 14

Mixed reuptake inhibitors

Question 15

A medicine that works by blocking the enzyme MAO that breaks down neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and serotonin

Answer 15

MAO inhibitors

Question 16

Before SSRIs this medication was more widely used. While researchers do not know exactly how this class of drugs works, it seems they block the reuptake of certain neurotransmitters, allowing them to collect in the synapse and desensitize or down-regulate the transmission of that particular transmitter- at least initially

Answer 16

Tricyclic antidepressants

Question 17

An alternative to antidepressants that has become increasingly popular and is a natural herbal extract. It is currently available in health food stores, drugstores, and similar outlets but there is no guarantee that it contains the appropriate ingredients

Answer 17

St. John’s wort

Question 18

In the instances where a person does not respond to medication, this method may be considered. In this instance, an electric shock is administered directly through the brain for a very brief period of time (less than a second), producing a seizure and a series of brief convulsions

Answer 18

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)