Question 1

In the United States,which group is most likely to commit suicide?

Accepted Answer

Males over 65 have the highest suicide rate in the United States.

Question 2

Which of the following is not associated with an elevated risk for suicide?

Accepted Answer

Giving away possessions, making a specific plan, and warning others of the intention to commit suicide are all behaviors that are associated with an elevated risk for suicide. However, making plans to change jobs is not typically associated with an increased risk for suicide.

Question 3

Which factor is least likely to be a biological cause of depressive and bipolar disorders?

Accepted Answer

Abnormally low levels of the stress hormone cortisol are not typically considered a primary biological cause of depressive and bipolar disorders. Other factors, such as imbalances in neurotransmitters or defects in brain regions involved in mood regulation, are generally seen as more likely to be involved in the development and maintenance of these disorders. While cortisol levels may be associated with mood and stress, research has not consistently identified cortisol as a primary cause of mood disorders.

Question 4

Jamie's sleep patterns have been erratic over the course of the past few months,and she lacks the energy to do anything except lay on her couch.Jamie also feels completely hopeless,and she wonders if life is worth living anymore.Jamie is most likely suffering from ____.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Jamie's sleep patterns have been erratic over...

Question 5

Lark has been diagnosed with bipolar II disorder.She experiences times of depression and periods of regular mood.Other times,Lark has bouts of energetic optimism and elation,known as ____.

Accepted Answer

The symptoms described match those of hypomania, which is a milder form of mania commonly experienced in bipolar II disorder. Choices A, B, and D do not fit the symptoms described.

Question 6

Damon is suffering from persistent depressive disorder.We can expect that Damon ____.

Accepted Answer

Persistent Depressive Disorder, also known as Dysthymia, is a mood disorder characterized by chronic feelings of depression that last for at least two years. Therefore, option D is the correct answer, as Damon has been feeling somewhat sad and depressed for years. Option A is incorrect because it describes symptoms of bipolar disorder, not persistent depressive disorder. Option B is unlikely since hospitalization is not typically necessary for this disorder. Option C describes symptoms of bipolar disorder, not persistent depressive disorder.

Question 7

There are many misunderstandings about suicide.Which statement reflects a fact about suicide?

Accepted Answer

According to research, females are three times more likely to attempt suicide than males.

Answer: None 
 Both choices B and C are false. People who talk about suicide may be at higher risk of attempting it, and most people who attempt suicide do not actually want to die but are seeking relief from their emotional pain.

Answer: D 
 College students are at a higher risk for suicide attempts than elderly people.

Question 8

Holden has been in a sad mood for the last three years.His parents notice that he just does not seem interested in things,does not have any friends,hardly ever seems really happy,and always seems tired.Holden most likely suffers from ____.

Accepted Answer

Holden displays symptoms of a persistent low mood and lack of interest or pleasure in activities, which are characteristic of persistent depressive disorder. This disorder is defined as a depressed mood that lasts for at least two years, during which the individual experiences most days with symptoms such as sadness, hopelessness, and feelings of worthlessness or guilt. Social anxiety disorder involves excessive fear and avoidance of social situations, bipolar disorder involves episodes of both depression and mania, and cyclothymic disorder involves periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms that do not meet the criteria for a full episode of mania or major depression. Holden's symptoms do not match these disorders.

Question 9

Vincent is an artist who has stayed up painting for three days straight.Despite his lack of sleep,he feels as if he has boundless energy and that his paintings reflect a very high level of creativity.Although Vincent rarely feels tired,he only becomes this energetic once in a while.Vincent is most likely suffering from ____.

Accepted Answer

Vincent is exhibiting symptoms of mania, which is a hallmark of bipolar disorder. Mania is characterized by a period of elevated or irritable mood, increased energy, decreased need for sleep, and impulsive behavior. Vincent's experience of feeling boundless energy despite not sleeping for three days is consistent with manic episodes.

Question 10

For the past few months,Val felt completely hopeless and unmotivated.She would not eat much and felt worthless.Then,she suddenly felt unusually elated,full of energy,and bursting with ideas.Val is probably suffering from ____ disorder.

Accepted Answer

Val's symptoms of feeling hopeless and unmotivated, as well as a lack of appetite, are characteristics of major depressive disorder. However, the sudden onset of elation, energy, and bursting with ideas suggests a manic episode or hypomanic episode, which are symptoms of bipolar I disorder. Therefore, the most appropriate diagnosis for Val's symptoms is bipolar I disorder.

Question 11

One of the major factors in the development of dissociative disorders appears to be ____.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that experiencing severe physical or sexual abuse or trauma is a major risk factor in the development of dissociative disorders. Other forms of trauma such as experiencing a natural disaster or being involved in a serious accident can also increase the likelihood of developing these conditions. Chronic mild stress and environmental conditions are not typically considered significant factors, and while genetic components may play a role in vulnerability, the influence is not as strong as trauma.

Question 12

People who talk about suicide are ____.

Accepted Answer

People who talk about suicide are more likely to try it than the general population. It is important to take any talk of suicide seriously and seek help.

Question 13

Someone with dissociative identity disorder is least likely to ____.

Accepted Answer

Dissociative identity disorder is linked to a history of childhood abuse or trauma, and individuals with this disorder often develop multiple personalities as a means of coping with or escaping from the trauma. They may also be skilled at self-hypnosis as a way of managing stress and dissociative symptoms. However, there is no evidence to suggest that individuals with dissociative identity disorder are more likely to show cynical hostility than the general population. In fact, some studies have found that individuals with this disorder may be more likely to exhibit traits such as passivity or compliance, as their coping strategies often involve dissociation and avoidance rather than aggression or hostility.

Question 14

Max felt so low and unhappy that he did not leave his room for six weeks.Two months later,Max has so much energy that he stays up all night redecorating the entire house and goes for days without sleep.This pattern repeats itself.Max would be most likely diagnosed with ____ disorder.

Accepted Answer

Max exhibits symptoms of both depression and mania, which are the defining features of bipolar I disorder. This disorder involves episodes of manic or mixed episodes (symptoms of mania and depression present at the same time) that alternate with episodes of major depression. Cyclothymic disorder involves milder symptoms of both mood states, while bipolar II involves episodes of hypomania (less severe than mania) and major depression. Major depressive disorder does not involve episodes of mania or hypomania.

Question 15

Breanna is more likely to feel depressed than Terron.When Breanna is sad,she constantly thinks about negative events,why they occurred,and how depressed she is about them.When Terron feels down,he goes out jogging until he is exhausted but free of his negative frame of mind.Breanna exhibits a(n)____ cognitive style and Terron uses a ____ cognitive style.

Accepted Answer

Breanna exhibits a ruminative cognitive style, where she constantly focuses on negative events and emotions. Terron, on the other hand, uses a distracting cognitive style, by engaging in physical activity to take his mind off negative thoughts.

Question 16

Maggie has been living in Alaska for several months.She has noticed that as the daylight hours get shorter and shorter she feels more and more depressed.Joel,her doctor,should prescribe ____ to help Maggie's symptoms.

Accepted Answer

Maggie is most likely experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is a type of depression that occurs during the winter months when there is less natural sunlight. Treatment for SAD often involves exposure to full-spectrum light, which can improve mood and alleviate symptoms. While antidepressant medication may also be a valid option, it is not necessarily the best first step in treatment. Positive thinking and healthy lifestyle choices may be helpful, but they are unlikely to fully address the underlying chemical imbalances in the brain that contribute to SAD.

Question 17

Lewis is depressed for about three months.Now,however,he feels more energetic than normal and starts up several creative projects that he thought he'd never have the motivation to start again.Lewis most likely suffers from ____ disorder.

Accepted Answer

Lewis's symptoms of feeling more energetic and starting new projects after a period of depression suggest a possible shift to a hypomanic episode, which is characteristic of bipolar II disorder.

Question 18

Robert has had major depressive disorder for most of his adult life.As he became older,he would tell his wife that when he uses the kitchen sink,he believes his corpuscles are being washed out of his body.Robert is exhibiting ____.

Accepted Answer

Robert is exhibiting a delusion, which is a false belief that is firmly held despite evidence to the contrary. The belief that his corpuscles are being washed out of his body when he uses the kitchen sink is not based in reality and is a symptom commonly seen in people with major depressive disorder. Hallucinations involve perceiving things that are not there, mania involves a period of elevated or irritable mood, and severe agitation involves a state of extreme restlessness or nervousness.

Question 19

Since Jack's forced retirement,he has experienced overwhelming sadness and has withdrawn from his friends and family.He has gained twenty pounds and has been sleeping much more than usual.Most noticeably,he is no longer interested in participating in his life-long hobby of playing several rounds of golf each week.Most likely,Jack is experiencing ____.

Accepted Answer

Jack's symptoms of overwhelming sadness, withdrawal from social activities, weight gain, excessive sleeping, and loss of interest in his hobby are all indicative of major depressive disorder. The triggering event of his forced retirement may have contributed to the development of this disorder.

Question 20

A psychologist who believes in the learned helplessness view of depression wants to create a treatment program for his clients.The major focus of this treatment will probably be on ____.

Accepted Answer

The learned helplessness view of depression suggests that individuals feel helpless and out of control of their lives. Therefore, the major focus of the treatment would be to help them gain control over their lives, thus reducing their feelings of helplessness and depression. The other options do not directly address the underlying issue of learned helplessness.

Quiz 14: Psychological Disorders