psychological problems Flashcards
define unipolar depression
a type of mood disorder causing periods of feeling sad & lacking motivation to do everyday activites.
define mental health problem
form of psychological problem characterised by symptoms affecting your mind & behavior.
* affects how you think, feel, behave, relate to others.
symptoms of unipolar dep according to ICD-10
- feeling suicidal/attempting suicide
- not enjoying favorite activities anymore
- poor sleep (finding it difficult to sleep, waking up early when still tired)
- extreme tiredness not relieved by sleep
- poor appetite or increase
- lack of self esteem
- feelings of guilt, blaming themselves
- activing nervously. behavior slowed down more then usual
what are the main symptoms of unipolar dep
MEM
* lowering of mood
* lack of energy
* lack of motivation
what does ICD-10 require for diagnosis of uni depression
- one of the main symptoms present most of time for 2 weeks
- another one of the symptoms should be pressent some point during tha time.
features of unipolar dep
- WHO - 1 in 15 ppl suffer from episode of serious dep every year.
- Affects twice as many females as males. affects females longer
symptoms & features of episodes of uni dep
Episode -> mild -> 4 symptoms displayed -> finds symptoms upsetting. carries on daytoday activites.
Episode -> moderate -> 5-6 symptoms displayed -> serious probs doing daytoday activities
Episode -> severe -> 7+ symptoms displayed + general feelings of worthlessness -> suicidal thoughts, engage in self harm to cope.
incidience of dep over time
- Hidaka (2012) suggests modern living’s more stressful, includes many risk factors for depression** e.g** sleep deprivation, poor diet, increased social isolation.
- The King’s Fund (2008) estimates that by 2026, 1.45 million people will be diagnosed w/ dep
- compared to 1.24 million in 2007.
Could be bc of more people being aware of their symptoms.
how dep affects individuals & society
- Amount of time missed from work by patients; company has to cover workload, there’ll be cost implications for company
- HSE estimated that in 2014-15, 9.9 million days of work were missed because of stress, depression, anxiety associated with work.
- cost of treatment for dep, more ppl diagnosed w depression, more require treatment; drugs expensive to prescibe, therapies expensive, therapists need to be trained; will cost NHS a lot, putting strain on their services.
genetic explanation of unipolar depression
How the influence of genes can explain why some people depression
➜ Evidence if someone in your family has been diagnosed w/ unipolar depression, higher risk you’ll also be diagnosed w/ depression.
➜ Depression might be inherited through genes.
➜ Hyde et al. (2016) = 17 diff gene variations linked to depressions
twin studies on influence of genes for depression
➜ Monozygotic twins = share 100% of the same genes.
➜ Dizygotic twins = share 50% of the same genes.
McGuffin et al. (1996)
Monozygotic twin depressed = 46% co-twin becomes depressed.
Dizygotic twin depressed = 20% co-twin becomes depressed.
Shows depression might be genetic.
define twin studies
- research that compares behavior
- in groups of twins
- to see if there are similarities in each pair of twins
define monozygotic twins
- twins developed from one fertilized egg
- that’s split into 2
- are genetically identical.
define dizygotic twins
- twins developed from 2 diff eggs
- fertilized during same pregnancy
- not genetically identical.
define genetic predisposition
- biological tendency
- to develop a particular behavior
- as a result of the genes someone has.
define diathesis stress model
- explanation for depression
- claiming that people can have a gene making them more likely to develop depression
- ONLY if they face a stressful situation
- that triggers depressive thoughts.
strengths & weaknesses of genetic explanation (depression)
Strengths
* Takes away the stigma of depression diagnosis.
* Research evidence; .Caspi et al. (2003) found people w/ variation of serotonin transporter gene more likely to react negatively to stressful life events & develop depression.
Weaknesses
* Deterministic; assumes that if you have certain genes, you’re more likely to be depressed. Does not consider free will.
* Reductionist; fails to take into account other factors that can explain why someone may develop depression.
define cognitive theory
explanation that focuses on how thought processes
influence behavior.
cognitive theory as an explanation for depression
Beck’s cognitive triad
- depression could be explained by 3 negative thought patterns; negative triad.
- Develops from bad experiences in the past; once they have a negative way of thinking, they’re more prone to magnification.
- Beck believes if a person has all 3 types of negative view, it’s likely they’ll show symptoms of depression.
- more prone to magnification
- Negative view of self ➜ Negative view of the future ➜ Negative view of the world.
define free will
- explanations of behavior that claim
- we have ability to choose exactly what type of behavior we wat to show
- opposite of being determined
define determinsitc
- our actions come from what we are born with & what we experience
- opposite of having free will or free choice
cognitive theory as an explanation for depression
Ellis’s ABC model
- 3 stages that might cause a person to develop negative thought processes, which can then lead to them becoming depressed.
Activating event
Something happens to a person that makes them feel unsettled.
Beliefs
Thoughts a person associates w/ the event = can be irrational/rational.
Consequences
R = no depression, positive emotional consequences.
IR = depression, negative emotional consequences.
define negative triad
- set of 3 thought patterns
- where people feel bad about themselves
- the future
- & world in general
define magnification
form of cognitive bias making people see their problems as far bigger then they actually are.
strengths & weaknessses of the cognitive theory explanation
strengths
➜ Takes into account events in a person’s life.
- combination of nature & nurture factors that make people depressed.
➜ Has been applied to CBT.
weaknesses
➜ Difficult to tell whether irrational thoughts are causes or symptoms of depression.
➜ Some types of depression can’t be explained by thought process.
E.g post-natal depression (dep after giving birth) it may have something to do with hormone levels rather then thought processes. Caused by biological factors then cognitive ones.
define CBT
- a therapy for mental health disorders
- that aims to change thought processes
- in order to reduce symptoms
whats cbt based on (depression)
- the understanding that the way we think affects how we feel, how we feel influences how we behave.
- if person changes way the think, their behavior should also change.
What’s the main aim of CBT (depression)
- help patient change the way they think (cognitive part of therapy)
- help change the way they act to improve symptoms experienced (behavorial part of therapy)
stages of CBT in treating depression
1st stage
* dicussing symptoms with therapist. explain how they feel, what makes them feel this way.
2nd stage
* challenging irrational ways of thinking; once patient recognizes irration thoughts, should try to replace with rational.
- homework give between each session; involves changing way they think about situation, writing about they feel. helps practicse using rational thought processes.
strengths & weaknesses of CBT to treat depression
Strengths
* NHS 2012 - when patients with depression given CBT alongside antidepressants, there’s significant improvement in their symptoms.
- Longer-lasting treatment for depression then only using antidepressants; they learn to control symptoms. Have the skills to do this whenever needed.
- Feelings of helplessness reduced; feel better - learn to deal with symptoms.
Weaknesses:
* Relies on patients wanting to change their behavior & being able to recognise when their thoughts are irrational.
- Ethical issues in use of CBT; too much control for therapist.
define neurotransmitters
- chemicals found within the nervous system
- that pass messages from one neuron to another
- across a synapse
define noradrenaline
- type of neurotransmitter
- thats involved in mood
- released during times of stress
define reuptake
- process by which
- neurons reabsorb neurotransmitters
- that they release.
define serotonin
neurotransmitter associated with controlling mood.
antidepressants
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs
- block reuptake of serotonin when released from neuron
- allows other neurons to absorb it
- serotonin available for longer
- helps increase levels of serotonin in brain, improving mood.
antidepressants
Serotonin & noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors SNRIs
- block reuptake of both serotonin & noradrenaline.
- enhances effect of available serotonin & noradrenaline
- helps improve mood
antidepressants
monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
- prevent enzyme monoamine oxidase from doing its job (it breaks down neurotransmitters serotonin & noradrenaline after they’ve been released.)
- make more neurotransmitters available
- improves mood
antidepressants
tricylics TCAs
- around since 1950s
- boost effect of serotonin & noradrenaline
- prevent reabsorption of neurotransmitters into neuron
- longer to act on the brain
- mood enhancing effect lasts longer
define placebo
inactive substance or fake pill used instead of active substance. person given placebo wont know its fake.
define relapse
return of symptoms after treat has been given.
strengths & weaknesses of drug therapy as a treatment for depression
Strengths
- Improves symptoms; makes it easier for patients to access other psychological therapies.
- Royal College of Psychiatrists; 65% of patients w/ moderate-severe symptoms of depression showed improvements when given antidepressants then compared to 30% given a placebo.
Weaknesses
* Unpleasant side effects; MAOIs dangerous when eaten with certain foods.
Some can cause side effects such as nausea, suicidal thoughts, diabetes.
* Only tackle symptoms, and not the cause. Long-term effect is less likely, more likely to relapse.
