Week 9 - Depression and Exercise

Question 0

Define mental disorders

Answer 0

Diagnosed clinical conditions that are characterized by altered thinking, mood, or behavior . . . associated with distress and/or impaired functioning
E.g., Anxiety disorders, mood disorders, schizophrenia

Question 1

Define mental health

Answer 1

State of successful performance of mental function, resulting in productive activities, fulfilling relationships with other people, and the ability to adapt to change and to cope with adversity

Question 2

Define depression

Answer 2

A mood disturbance of significant intensity and duration
Disorders that influence mood regulation beyond the usual variations between sadness and happiness/excitement
Persistent low mood and inability to find enjoyment in activities

Question 3

Give examples of symptoms of depression

Answer 3

Sustained feelings of sadness or elation
Feelings of guilt/  or worthlessness
Disturbances in appetite
Disturbances in sleep patterns
Lack of energy
Difficulty concentrating
Loss of interest in all or most activities
Problems with memory
Thoughts of suicide
Hallucinations

Question 4

Give examples of different types of depressive disorders

Answer 4

Depressive disorder (unipolar major depression)
Bipolar disorder
Dysthymia
Cyclothymia

Question 5

What are the characteristics of major depressive disorder?

Answer 5

Depressed mood loss of interest or pleasure are the primary symptoms
(The mood is NOT driven by physiological causes eg drugs or medical condition such as hypothyroidism
Episodes last nine months if left untreated
50 percent recur
Symptoms cause significant Impairment in social, work and other important areas

Question 6

What are the characteristics of bipolar disorder?

Answer 6

One or more episodes of mania and also episodes of mania mixed with depression (huge highs and lows)
Mania can range from pure euphoria/relation to irritability
Thoughts are grandiose and often delusional
Decreased need to sleep and are easily distracted with the racing thoughts
- But often excessive involvement in pleasurable activities, Causing negative consequences. Eg Unrestrained shopping sprees and sexual indiscretions
Higher prevalence amongst family members (genetic contribution)

Question 7

What are the characteristics of the depressive disorder dysthymia?

Answer 7

It is a chronic form of depression
It affects women more than men
Fewer than five persistent symptoms
Can Increase the likelihood of getting major depression
Rarely remits spontaneously

Question 8

Explain the characteristics of the depressive disorder Cyclothymia?

Answer 8

Manic and depressive states that are insufficient in intensity and duration to be diagnosed as major depression or bipolar
However it increases the risk of developing bipolar disorder

Question 9

What is DALYs (Disability adjusted life years)?

Answer 9

Estimate of the years of healthy life lost to premature death and years lived with a disability
Mental illnesses rank second only to cardiovascular problems in disease burden in industrialized nations

Question 10

Mood disorders (e.g., major depression, bipolar disorders) rank within the top 10 causes of disability worldwide
True or false?

Answer 10

True indeed! How worrying :-S

Question 11

What other problems to society in general do mental health problems cause?

Answer 11

Significant economic burden in terms of both mortality (i.e., depression-related suicides) and morbidity (i.e., direct medical costs, workplace costs)

Question 12

Although the causes of mental health problems are not well understood it is known that Physiological and psychosocial factors interact in response to stressful events. However what other factors are contributors to individuals with mental health disorders?

Answer 12

Heredity, coping skills, experience, gender, environment, and social support influence degree to which depression is manifested

Question 13

Name 3 common treatments for depression?

Answer 13

Pharmacotherapy (i.e., antidepressant drugs)
Psychotherapy
Physical activity may help both prevent and treat depression

Question 14

How is depression diagnosed?

Answer 14

5 or more persisting symptoms displayed in a 2 week period
There are handbooks that are used as criteria to judge if the symptoms
Self report measures are also often used such questionnaires. An example being the Center for Epidemiologic Studies—Depression Scale; CES-D)


Question 15

Regular physical activity can help prevent mental health disorders or reduce their risk of occurrence
True or false?

Answer 15

True

Question 16

According to Goodwin (2003) there is a dose response relationship with exercise and depression relief and prevention. True or false?

Answer 16

True,! The likelihood of experiencing major depression, dysthymia, & bipolar disorder as frequency of self-report PA from regularly, to occasionally, to rarely to never

Question 17

Research has shown that exercise can be as effective if not more effective nontraditional therapies in relieving or preventing depression, true or false?

Answer 17

True

Question 18

Some studies show the more intense the exercise the better it is for counteracting depression, true or false?

Answer 18

True

Question 19

Correct frequency of exercise to counteract depression is known, or is it inconclusive?

Answer 19

Frequency is inconclusive in the literature

Question 20

Does age and gender have an affect on the effectiveness of exercise As a treatment of depression?

Answer 20

No, exercise is beneficial to all!

Question 21

What did a north et al (1990) find in relation to the best treatment of depression?

Answer 21

Exercise along with psychotherapy produced the best results

Question 22

A study showed that Hospitalized psychiatric patients rated exercise as the most important part of comprehensive treatment plan. True or false?

Answer 22

True ((Martinsen, Medhus, & Sandvik,1985)

Question 23

Is it just aerobic exercise that benefits psychological health or is nonaerobic exercise also beneficial?

Answer 23

A study showed that Both aerobic and non-aerobic exercise resulted in significant psychological improvements

Question 24

What are the mechanisms of change / hypotheses which Are thought to be the reasons exercise improves psychological health?

Answer 24

The endorphin hypothesis (Increase in endorphin production) (the body’s natural pain killers)

The monoamine hypothesis (Increase in neurotransmitter production such as serotonin)

Anthropological hypothesis - Evolutionary perspective
Mastery hypothesis - A sense of accomplishment results in a greater sense of self-worth and personal control
Social interaction hypothesis - Accounts for part of depression reduction, but it cannot be the sole explanation