Lecture 24 - Stress, Anxiety, OCD, Addiction Flashcards
What have fMRI studies found about brain activity in people with depression?
fMRI studies have not found consistent differences in the brains of people when they are depressed versus not depressed.
What region showed less activity after depression lifted, and why was this finding not helpful?
Studies have found that the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (a part of the brain involved in mood regulation) shows less activity when a person recovers from depression. However, when doctors tried using deep brain stimulation (DBS) to treat depression by targeting this area, the treatment didn’t work in clinical trials. This finding wasn’t helpful because it showed that while brain activity changes during recovery, stimulating this part of the brain didn’t lead to improvements in patients’ conditions.
What is Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) used for?
ECT is used to treat severe depression and bipolar disorder.
How does Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) work?
ECT involves applying brief electrical shocks to the head to induce seizures, which can reduce symptoms of depression within hours or days.
What are the side effects of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)?
ECT can cause short-term memory loss, among other side effects, but it does not appear to cause brain damage.
What is one of the most prominent symptoms of depression related to sleep?
One of the most prominent symptoms is disordered sleep, including shallow, fragmented sleep and frequent awakenings, especially towards the morning.
How does sleep in depressed people differ from non-depressed people?
Depressed people spend more time in stage 1 sleep and less time in deep, slow-wave sleep. They also enter REM sleep earlier in the night.
What is total sleep deprivation, and how is it related to depression treatment?
Total sleep deprivation can have an immediate antidepressant effect, although it may also lead to mania and the depression returns after a full night of sleep.
How does REM sleep deprivation work as a treatment for depression?
REM sleep deprivation works more slowly over several weeks, similar to the effects of SSRIs.
What is stress?
Stress is the physiological reaction to threatening or aversive situations that prepare the body for fight or flight.
What is anxiety, and how does it differ from stress?
Anxiety is a persistent feeling of fear or unease, often without an obvious trigger. It can be more intense than stress.
What does stress activate in the body?
Stress activates the sympathetic nervous system and the HPA axis, leading to the release of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol.
What are glucocorticoids, and what role do they play in the body?
Glucocorticoids (like cortisol) are hormones that regulate many physiological processes, including metabolism, immune function, and cardiovascular health.
What happens during stress-related glucocorticoid signaling?
Glucocorticoids prepare the body for immediate action by making glucose and fat available, increasing blood flow, and prioritizing survival functions while reducing non-essential functions like growth and immune responses.
What are some negative effects of chronic stress on the body?
Chronic stress can lead to anxiety, depression, insomnia, weakened immune function, cardiovascular problems, digestive issues, and more.
How does chronic stress affect immune function?
Chronic stress weakens the immune system and slows healing, increasing susceptibility to infections and illnesses.
What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
PTSD is a mental disorder that can develop after exposure to one or more traumatic events, such as abuse, assault, warfare, or accidents. It is characterized by intrusive memories (flashbacks), avoidance of trauma-related stimuli, hyperarousal, and persistent negative emotions.
What are the main symptoms of PTSD?
PTSD symptoms include vivid memories (flashbacks), nightmares, avoidance of trauma-related stimuli, hyperarousal, hypervigilance, persistent negative moods, and feelings of hopelessness.
How does PTSD affect social activities?
PTSD symptoms interfere with social activities and increase the risk of suicide.
Why is PTSD no longer classified as an anxiety disorder?
PTSD is no longer classified as an anxiety disorder because it involves a wide range of emotions beyond fear and anxiety, such as guilt, shame, and anger.
What is the relationship between trauma exposure and the likelihood of developing PTSD?
The likelihood of developing PTSD increases with the number of traumatic events experienced. About 10% of women and 5% of men develop PTSD at some point.
What is the genetic component of PTSD?
About 30% of the variance in PTSD is related to genetics.
What are the main treatments for PTSD?
The main treatments for PTSD include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), group therapy, and medication. SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are the first-line medications.
How is PTSD associated with brain abnormalities?
PTSD is linked to abnormalities in the HPA axis (which regulates stress responses), and symptom severity is negatively correlated with the size of the hippocampus and parts of the prefrontal cortex.
What defines an anxiety disorder?
Anxiety disorders are characterized by unrealistic and unfounded fear and anxiety, including muscle tension, autonomic nervous system overactivity, and continuous vigilance for danger.
What is generalized anxiety disorder?
Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive anxiety and worry that significantly disrupt daily life.
What is social anxiety disorder?
Social anxiety disorder involves excessive fear of being scrutinized by others, leading to avoidance of social situations where one might have to perform.
What is panic disorder?
Panic disorder is marked by episodic periods of intense terror, including symptoms like shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, and autonomic reactions, accompanied by intense fear.
