PBL 1

Question 1

what is a mood disorder?

Answer 1

when your general emotional state or mood is distorted or inconsistent with your circumstances and interferes with your ability to function.

Question 2

what are examples of mood disorders?

Answer 2

major depressive disorder
bipolar disorder
seasonal affective disorder

Question 3

what are some common symptoms of major depression?

Answer 3

feeling sad most of the time
lack of energy
feeling helpless
loss of weight/appetite
loss of interest in activities normally enjoyed
sleeping too much/less
thoughts about death
difficulty concentrating

Question 4

what are some common symptoms of bipolar disorder?

Answer 4

feeling extremely elated
rapid speech/movement
agitation/irritability
risk-taking behaviour
unusual increase in activity
racing thoughts
insomnia
feeling jumpy/on-edge

Question 5

what are some common causes of depression?

Answer 5

Abuse, age, medications, conflict, death/loss, gender, genes, major events, personal problems, serious illness, substance misuse.

Question 6

how do the brains of someone suffering from depression differ?

Answer 6

smaller hippocampus so fewer serotonin receptors

Question 7

what could be the cause of the shrinking hippocampus in depressed patients?

Answer 7

cortisol (stress hormone) is produced in excess which could be what causes hippocampus to shrink

Question 8

what is the monoamine theory of depression?

Answer 8

Depression is a result of a deficiency in brain monoamine neurotransmitters. (serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine)

Question 9

what are some arguments for the monoamine theory of depression?

Answer 9

Antidepressants increase the availability of monoamines at synapses
Reserpine which depletes monoamine transmission causes depression
People with depression can have lower levels of monoamine precursors/metabolites in their CSF or blood

Question 10

what are some arguments against the monoamine theory of depression?

Answer 10

Neurotransmitter effects of antidepressants are immediate, but they take 2+ weeks to work on symptoms

Cocaine and amphetamine mimic NA and 5-HT but do not act as antidepressants

Iprindole is an antidepressant which does not affect NA or 5-HT reuptake

Question 11

why can depressed individuals exhibit a lift in mood after a night of sleep deprivation?

Answer 11

As the serotonergic system is most active during wakefulness so sleep deprivation activates serotonergic neurons, leading to processes similar to the therapeutic effect of antidepressants, such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Question 12

what is the behaviourist theory of depression?

Answer 12

that depression is the result of a persons interaction with their environment. classical conditioning suggests it is learned through associating stimuli with negative emotional stress whilst operant conditioning suggests that it is caused by the removal of positive reinforcement from the environment.

Question 13

what is the psychodynamic theory of depression?

Answer 13

that it could be linked to loss or rejection from an important relationship i.e. a parent
the individual has repressed anger towards the loss of the person which they can direct to themselves which reduces their self esteem and can make their super-ego dominant = depression

Question 14

what is the cognitive theory of depression?

Answer 14

that depression results from faulty cognitions/think processes so they always think negatively.

Question 15

what is becks negative triad?

Answer 15

events are seen with a negative bias due to the development of negative chemise about the world, the self and the future. this could lead to overgeneralisation, magnification of problems, selective perception and absolutist thinking.

Question 16

what is the humanistic theory of depression?

Answer 16

inididcivudals have free will and we can actively develop ourself to our highest potential and reach self-actualisation so depression is a disturbance in the person ability to do this

Question 17

what is self-actualisation?

Answer 17

the complete realization of one’s potential, and the full development of one’s abilities and appreciation for life

Question 18

what is the mechanism of action of tricyclic antidepressants?

Answer 18

block reuptake of noradrenaline and serotonin which allows it to have an elongated effect. However, they do not have an effect on Ach reuptake.

Question 19

What are some potential side effects of tricyclic antidepressants?

Answer 19

Dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, urinary retention, postural retention, can cause drug interactions, potentiates effects of alcohol and anaesthetics.

Question 20

what is the mechanism of action of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors?

Answer 20

Block reuptake of serotonin from synaptic cleft to give it longer to work.

Question 21

what are some side effects of SSRIs?

Answer 21

nausea and vomiting, sexual dysfunction, withdrawal reaction (need to be withdrawn over a period of time), can inhibit metabolism of other drugs.

Question 22

what is the mechanism of action of monoamine oxidase inhibitors?

Answer 22

Inhibit monoamine oxidase so serotonin and noradrenaline can’t be broken down. This allows the continuation of the neurotransmitter activity in the synaptic cleft.

Question 23

what are some side effects of MAOIs?

Answer 23

postural hypotension, insomnia, weight gain, potential drug interactions.
Can produce a hypertensive crisis if people eat foods rich in tyramine.

Question 24

how do serotonin, noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors work?

Answer 24

inhibiting the reuptake of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine. This results in increased extracellular concentrations of serotonin and norepinephrine and, consequently, an increase in neurotransmission.

Question 25

what are some side effects of serotonin noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitors?

Answer 25

Nausea.
Dry mouth.
Dizziness.
Headache.
Excessive sweating.

Question 26

what types of antidepressants are available?

Answer 26

tricyclic antidepressants
selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors
monoamine oxidase inhibitors
serotonin noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitors

Question 27

what types of psychological approaches to treating depression are there?

Answer 27

cognitive behavioural therapy
behaviour therapy
interpersonal therapy
mindfulness-based cognitive therapy
psychodynamic therapy
dialectical behaviour therapy

Question 28

what is cognitive behavioural therapy?

Answer 28

a structured psychological treatment which recognises that the way we think and act affects the way we feel. It works to change your thoughts and behaviour by teaching you to think rationally about common difficulties, helping you to shift negative or unhelpful thought patterns and reactions to a more realistic, positive and problem-solving approach.

Question 29

what is dialectical behaviour therapy?

Answer 29

a therapy which focuses on individuals with depression learning to acknowledge and accept their negative thoughts and behaviours. Through the practice of validation, individuals can come to terms with their negative emotions, learn to cope with stress and regulate their reactions to it, and even improve their relationships with others

Question 30

what is psychodynamic therapy?

Answer 30

This assumes that depression can occur because of unresolved conflicts, often originating from childhood. The goals of this type of therapy are for the patient to become more aware of their full range of emotions, including contradictory and troubling ones, and to help the patient more effectively bear these feelings and put them in a useful perspective.

Question 31

what is interpersonal therapy?

Answer 31

IPT helps you recognise patterns in your relationships that make you more vulnerable to depression. Identifying these patterns means you can focus on improving relationships, coping with grief and finding new ways to get along with others.