Psychological problems

Question 1

Sadness is

Depression is

Answer 1

Normal and abnormal emotional state

Question 2

Clinical depression

Answer 2

Being lost,sad,insomnia for at least two weeks

Question 3

Unipolar depression

Answer 3

Only experiences the depressive emotional state

Question 4

Bipolar depression

Answer 4

Swing between two states - depression and mania. Mania is a high - making plans motivated for weeks and months

Question 5

Symptoms of depression

Answer 5

Low mood 
Loss of interest and pleasure 
Reduced energy level 
Change in sleep patterns 
Change in appetite levels 
Decrease in self confidence 
Bleak and pessimistic thought 
Reduced concentration
Ideas of self harm and suicide

Question 6

Biological explanation of depression

Answer 6

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter which stimulates the post synaptic neurone
If levels of serotonin are low then moods can be low
Serotonin also affects memory sleep and appetite
Could be genetic defect or lack of diets with high protein producing tryphotophin

Question 7

One strength of the biological explanation of depression is that there is supporting research evidence

Answer 7

One line of evidence has found lower levels of serotonin in the brains of people who are depressed in comparison to a control group. McNeal and Cimbolic is 1986)

Question 8

One weakness of the biological explanation is that low levels of serotonin may be a symptom of depression rather than a cause.

Answer 8

When someone is depressed they think negative thoughts, which leads to changes in neurones and the production of neurotransmitters in the brain. May be an effect rather than a cause.