w4 - depressive and bipolar disorders Flashcards
Q: What are common features of depressive disorders in the DSM-5?
A: Sad, empty, or irritable mood and changes to functioning, differing in duration, timing, and presumed cause.
Q: What are the criteria for a Major Depressive Episode (MDE)?
A: At least 5 of 9 symptoms for ‚â•2 weeks, including either depressed mood or loss of interest/pleasure.
Q: Name 3 symptoms of MDD other than depressed mood or loss of pleasure.
A: Weight change, insomnia/hypersomnia, fatigue, worthlessness/guilt, difficulty concentrating, suicidal ideation.
Q: What criteria must be met for a Major Depressive Disorder diagnosis?
A: One or more MDEs, no history of manic/hypomanic episodes, and not better explained by another disorder.
Q: What are some specifiers for MDD?
A: Peripartum onset, seasonal affective disorder, melancholic features.
Q: What is persistent depressive disorder?
A: Chronic depression for ‚â•2 years with no remission longer than 2 months.
Q: What is the lifetime prevalence of MDD in Australia?
A: 11.2%; with 3–5% experiencing it in any given year.
Q: What age group has the highest MDD prevalence?
A: Late adolescence (ages 16–24).
Q: What are some environmental risk factors for MDD?
A: Childhood trauma, ongoing stress, life changes, financial or health difficulties.
Q: What genetic factors influence MDD?
A: Family history, twin studies (40–70% heritability), polygenic risk.
Q: What is the HPA axis and how is it linked to MDD?
A: The stress response system; overactivity and excess cortisol linked to depression.
Q: How do circadian rhythms relate to MDD?
A: Disruption in daily biological cycles can affect mood and functioning.
Q: What is learned helplessness theory?
A: Repeated exposure to uncontrollable events can lead to helplessness and depression.
Q: What is attribution theory in depression?
A: Internal, stable, and global attributions for negative events can increase depression risk.
Q: What is the depressive cognitive triad?
A: Negative thoughts about the self, the world, and the future.
Q: What are cognitive distortions associated with MDD?
A: Arbitrary inference, minimisation, overgeneralisation.
Q: What are the biological treatments for MDD?
A: Antidepressants (MAOIs, tricyclics, SSRIs), psychedelics, ECT.
Q: What are common side effects of SSRIs?
A: Insomnia, agitation, nausea, sexual dysfunction.
Q: What is the neurogenesis hypothesis of antidepressants?
A: Antidepressants promote synaptic plasticity and neuron formation, explaining delayed effect.
Q: What is the negative bias hypothesis?
A: Antidepressants reduce the focus on negative information.
Q: What is the focus of psychological treatments for MDD?
A: Challenging negative thoughts, changing behaviours, and improving coping.
Q: What is behavioural activation?
A: Encouraging re-engagement with enjoyable activities to counteract withdrawal.
Q: How does CBT treat depression?
A: Identifying and restructuring negative thoughts and testing beliefs through behavioural experiments.
Q: What is mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)?
A: A therapy aimed at relapse prevention by observing and distancing from depressive thoughts.
Q: What is psychological formulation in treatment?
A: Understanding presenting issues, predispositions, triggers, maintaining factors, and protective factors.
Q: What distinguishes Bipolar I from Bipolar II?
A: Bipolar I includes full manic episodes; Bipolar II includes hypomanic episodes and major depression but no full mania.
Q: What is the diagnostic requirement for Bipolar I?
A: At least one manic episode.
Q: What is the diagnostic requirement for Bipolar II?
A: At least one hypomanic and one major depressive episode, with no history of mania.
Q: What is hypomania?
A: A less severe and shorter-duration elevated mood episode that doesn’t require hospitalisation.
Q: What is cyclothymia?
A: A milder form of bipolar disorder with fluctuating hypomanic and depressive symptoms for at least 2 years.
Q: What is the lifetime prevalence of bipolar disorder?
A: About 1.3%, with Bipolar I affecting men and women equally and Bipolar II more common in women.
Q: What are common comorbidities with bipolar disorder?
A: Anxiety, substance use disorders, ADHD, and personality disorders.
Q: What is the role of lithium in bipolar treatment?
A: It’s a mood stabiliser used to treat both mania and depression, with a narrow therapeutic index.
Q: What is polarity in bipolar disorder?
A: A person’s tendency to experience more manic or more depressive episodes.
Q: What is psychoeducation in bipolar disorder?
A: Teaching the person and their support network about the illness, warning signs, and prevention strategies.
Q: What is the best treatment for bipolar disorder?
A: A combination of medication and adjunct psychological intervention like CBT.
Q: What are common medications for bipolar disorder?
A: Mood stabilisers (e.g. lithium), anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, and antidepressants.
Q: What is interpersonal and social rhythms therapy?
A: Aims to stabilise routines and improve interpersonal functioning in bipolar patients.
Q: What is the goal of relapse prevention in bipolar disorder?
A: To monitor mood, identify warning signs, and plan ahead for future episodes.
Q: What are the common hallmarks of anxiety disorders?
A: Excessive fear or worry, avoidance, physical symptoms, cognitive distortions, and attempts to control anxiety.
Q: What are common difficulties in treating anxiety disorders?
A: Avoidance, accessibility, comorbidity, exposure therapy challenges, and ethical considerations.
Q: What are ethical concerns in treating anxiety?
A: Ensuring informed consent, balancing challenge with readiness, cultural sensitivity, and managing confidentiality.
Q: What is exposure therapy?
A: Gradual facing of fears using a fear hierarchy, staying in situations long enough for anxiety to fall without safety behaviours.
Q: Why is repeated exposure important in anxiety treatment?
A: It builds confidence and teaches that the feared outcome is unlikely or manageable.
