Mood disorders (depression and bipolar disorder) Flashcards
Depression and bipolar
What % of the worldwide population will experience a severe depressive episode at some point in their lives?
15%
What is the recovery % for depression without treatment ?
85% recovery without treatment but 40% will have at least one further episode
What are some symptoms of unipolar depression?
- thinks little of themselves
- poor memory
- feelings of misery, emptiness and humiliation
- appetite and sleep disturbance
- 7-5% commit suicide compared to 1% of non-depressed people
What are five types of symptoms ?
- emotional symptoms
- motivational symptoms
- behavioural symptoms
- cognitive symptoms
- physical symptoms
symptoms can be psychotic in extreme cases and can include hallucinations and delusions
Explain major depressive disorder
major episode but no history of mania
explain dysthymic disorder
at least two years of depression but less disabling
explain premenstrual dysphoric disorder
depressive symptoms during the week before menstruation
explain disruptive mood regulation disorder
depression and severe outburst of anger
How can stress cause depression?
Stressful life events can trigger depression - depression then causes more stress as every day tasks become even more of a struggle to complete
What are the 3 biological models of unipolar depression?
genetic factors
biochemical factors
endocrine system/ hormone release
Briefly explain the genetic model for depression
Twin studies demonstrate a strong genetic component of depressive disorder , there may even be specific genes that cause depression.
Briefly explain the biochemical model of depression
Abnormal levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine are associated with depression. Treatments confirm the role of NT role - a complicated interaction is at work .
Briefly explain the endocrine system / hormone release model of unipolar depression
Abnormal levels of cortisol - the stress hormone and abnormal melatonin secretion which regulates sleep patterns
What are the two main techniques to treat depression?
antidepressant drugs and brain stimulation
How do antidepressants treat depression?
MAO inhibitors cause a rise in norepinephrine activity . Tricyclics are another drug used but if a patient suddenly stops taking them relapse is likely to occur within a year . Maintenance therapy is required to avoid this . Tricyclics affect re-uptake mechanisms by blocking them.
Name the three second generation antidepressants
Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro
What are the 4 types of brain stimulation treatment for depression?
Vagus nerve stimulation
Transcranial magnetic stiumualtion
Deep brain stimulation
ECT (very controversial, causes brain to seizure)
What is the psychodynamic model of depression ?
There is a link between depression and grief , depression may be triggered by a major loss
What is the psychodynamic treatment for depression?
Therapy is only occasionally helpful as patients may be too weary , short term methods are better
Explain the behavioural model of depression
Depression is due to changes in rewards or punishment people receive leading them to perform fewer and fewer constructive behaviours - social rewards holds high importance
What is the behavioural treatment for depression?
Patients are reintroduced to activities and events which improve their social skills, cognitive and behavioural treatments are combined (CBT)
What is the cognitive model of depression?
There are two key explanations =
1. learned helplessness = people become depressed when they think they can’t help themselves
2. negative thinking = internal attributions that are global and stable lead to greater feelings of helplessness and possible depression
What is Beck’s negative triad as a cognitive explanation of depression
1)negative view of the self
2) negative view of the world
3) negative view of the future
What is the cognitive treatment of depression?
Cognitive therapy for approximately 20 sessions =
there are four phases of therapy
1) increasing activities and elevating mood
2) challenging automatic thoughts
3) identifying negative thinking and biases
4) changing primary attitudes
What does the sociocultural model of unipolar depression believe to depression to be influenced by?
influenced by the social context that surrounds people
What is the family social perspective view of depression? (sociocultural model)
Depression is tied to the unavailability of social support . For example, divorced people have higher depression rates than married or widowed people
What is the common treatment for depression due to having unavailable social support?
Interpersonal therapy , couple therapy also known as (behavioural martial therapy)
Explain the multicultural perspective, one part of the social cultural model of depression
There is a strong link between gender and depression, women are more likely to be diagnosed with unipolar . depression than men.There is also a link between cultural background and depression.