Mood Disorder

Question 1

What are the 3 core symptoms of depressive disorders?

Answer 1

Low Mood

Lack of Energy

Lack of Enjoyment & Interest

Question 2

What is the difference between an adjustment reaction and depression?

Answer 2

Adjustment Reaction

sudden onset symptoms after event

symptoms fluctuate

time limited

energy not low

Depression

sypmtoms gradually develop

symptoms continuous

lack of energy

Question 3

Name 2 potential organic causes for patients experiencing depressive disorders

Answer 3

Hormone Disturbance
(e.g. thyroid dysfunction)

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Liver / Kidney Disease

Question 4

What are the 3 main functions of the limbic system and which 3 structures in the brain are included in this system?

Answer 4

Function:

• emotion
• memory
• motivation

Anatomy:

• amygdala
• hippocampus
• cingulate gyrus

Question 5

Outline the hypothesised circuits that link the areas of the brain and determinants of mood

Answer 5

frontal lobe > projects to > limbic system > projects to > basal ganglia and brainstem

this leads to effects of:

congitive processes (thoughts)

sympathetic output

parasympathetic output

motor systems

Question 6

Which two neurotransmitters are believed to be important for depressive disorders?

Answer 6

Noradrenaline

Serotonin

Question 7

Noradrenaline produced by the locus coeruleus in the brainstem acts on may adrenoreceptors in the brain including beta-receptors, what is the outcome of interaction with these receptor?

Answer 7

play a role in arousal and mood

Question 8

What is the role of serotonin (5HT) in the brain?

Answer 8

Sleep

Impulse Control

Appetite

Mood

Question 9

What predisposing facotors can contribute to a person becoming clinically depressed?

Answer 9

genetics
(twin studies)

childhood experiences
(quality of attachement as a child, loss of a parent)

female gender

Question 10

What life stressors may perpetuate a person developing a depressive disorder?

Answer 10

social economic status

unemployment

financial hardship

isolation from famil and friends

(divorce, loss of a child, loss of a spouse)

Question 11

What are the 3 broad categories for the treatment of depression?

Answer 11

Medication

Talking Therapies

Social Circumstances

Question 12

What is the recommendation from NICE surrounding the use of SSRI’s in patinets with depression?

Answer 12

only consider SSRIs in moderate to severe depression

(or in mild depression if other treatments have failed)