Mood Disorders Flashcards
two major neurotransmitters involved in depression
norepinephrine and serotonin (5HT)
serotonin regulates
sleep, appetite, libido
serotonin circuit dysfunction results
poor impulse control, low sex drive, decreased appetite, disturbed regulation of body temperature and irritability
decreased levels of norepinephrine results
anergia, anhedonia, decreased concentration, diminished libido (depression)
dopamine neurons in mesolimbic system effects
play a role in reward and incentive behavior processes, emotional expression, learning processes
- especially true in melancholic states in severe MDD
beck’s cognitive theory of depression (beck’s cognitive triad)`
- negative, self-deprecating view of self
- pessimistic view of world
- the belief that negative reinforcement (or no validation for the self) will continue
automatic negative thoughts
repetitive, unintended, not readily controllable
- developed by beck
- consistent in all types of depression, regardless of clinical subtype
learned helplessness (seligman)
anxiety is initial response to stressor, but replaced by depression if person feels no control over outcome
- can explain depression in older adults, impoverished, women
biogenic amine hypothesis of depression
- caused by deficiency of monoamines (esp NE and 5HT)
monoamine
amine containing one amino group
ex: serotonin, dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine
receptor sensitivity hypothesis of depression
supersensitivity and upregulation
- post-synaptic neuron tries to compensate for a lack of stimulation (due to deficiency of NE & 5HT)
continuum of depression: transient
in response to life’s everyday disappointments
continuum of depression: mild
normal grief response
continuum of depression: moderate
dysthymic disorder
continuum of depression: severe
major depressive episode or disorder
major depressive episode (general description)
- often following psychosocial stressor (marital, occupational, academic problems)
- many somatic complaints
- tearful, irritable, anxious, phobias
- most serious consequence: suicide
major depressive episode (common symptoms)
- depressed mood
- anhedonia
- anxiety
- psychomotor changes
- somatic symptoms
- vegetative signs
vegetative signs
activities necessary to support life: eating, sleeping, elimination, sex
major depressive episode (criteria)
5+ present during same 2 week period, one of which is either 1) depressed mood or 2) loss of pleasure:
- significant weight loss or gain
- insomnia or hypersomnia
- psychomotor agitation or retardation
- fatigue or loss of energy
- feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
- diminished ability to think or concentrate
- recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal ideation, OR attempt OR specific plan
major depressive episode (course)
- prodromal symptoms: may include anxiety, mild depressive symptoms
- majority return to premorbid level of functioning
- 20-30% may have symptoms (that don’t meet full criteria) persist for months to years, may be associated with some disability or distress
major depression: 0 - 3
feeding problems
failure to thrive
lack of playfulness/emotional expression
delay: speech, gross motor development
major depression: 3 - 5
accident prone
aggressiveness
phobias
excessive self-reproach
major depression: 6 - 8
vague physical complaints
aggressiveness
cling to parents/avoid new people and challenges
lag in social, academic skills
major depression: 9 - 12
morbid thoughts
excessive worry
possible reasoning they have disappointed others
possible lack of interest in play or friends