Psych - Depression

Question 1

what is the difference between endogenous depression and reactive depression?

Answer 1

• endogenous: occurs without presence of stress or trauma, may be primarily caused by genetic and biological factors
• reactive: follows a stressful or traumatic event

Question 2

name the 2 main neurotransmitters implicated in depression

Answer 2

1. SEROTONIN - involved in sleep, impulse control, appetite and mood. Produced in Raphe nuclei and transported to cortex and limbic system.
2. NORADRENALINE - involved in mood, behaviour (arousal and attention) and memory. Produced in brainstem locus coeruleus and transported to cortex and limbic system.

Question 3

which 3 parts of the brain are thought to be involved in determining mood?

Answer 3

1. limbic system
2. frontal lobes, esp. prefrontal area
3. basal ganglia