Question 1

Drugs that alter the availability of norepinephrine and serotonin are not clinically effective in the treatment of depression for several weeks. Which of the following does this finding suggest?
A) These neurotransmitters are not involved in depression.
B) It is overactivity of these neurotransmitters that underlies depression, not underactivity.
C) That the effectiveness of antidepressants is a placebo effect, as opposed to a result of a biochemical manipulation.
D) Changes in neurotransmitter function, as opposed to neurotransmitter level, cause depression.

Accepted Answer

The delay in clinical effectiveness of drugs that alter norepinephrine and serotonin availability suggests that the underlying mechanism of depression involves changes in neurotransmitter function rather than simply changes in neurotransmitter levels. This is because immediate changes in levels do not result in immediate mood improvements, indicating a more complex process of adaptation or functional change within the brain's neurotransmitter systems.

Question 2

A rapid return of symptoms immediately after drug treatment is terminated is a common example of ________; a return to depressive symptoms after a period of spontaneous remission of symptoms is called a ________.
A) melancholia; recurrence
B) recurrence; relapse
C) relapse; recurrence
D) mood-congruent depression; mood-incongruent depression

Accepted Answer

The first scenario described in the question is an example of relapse, which refers to the return of symptoms after a period of improvement. The second scenario is an example of recurrence, which is a return of symptoms after a period of remission or recovery. Melancholia and mood-congruent/incongruent depression are not relevant to the question.

Question 3

Which of the following is a brain area that has been found to exhibit abnormalities in depressed patients?
A) Amygdala
B) Basal ganglia
C) Posterior cingulate cortex
D) Medulla oblangata

Accepted Answer

The amygdala is a brain region that has been consistently found to exhibit abnormalities in individuals with depression, often showing altered activity levels.

Question 4

Individuals who do not show a decrease in cortisol levels in response to an injection of dexamethasone
A) have a severe form of depression.
B) are likely to be suffering from both major depression and a personality disorder.
C) will not respond well to pharmacological treatment.
D) have an HPA axis that is not functioning normally.

Accepted Answer

Cortisol is a hormone that is released in response to stress and is regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Dexamethasone is a synthetic glucocorticoid that acts as a negative feedback mechanism to suppress cortisol secretion. Individuals who do not show a decrease in cortisol levels in response to the injection of dexamethasone are said to have an abnormal HPA axis function, which can be indicative of various disorders such as Cushing's syndrome, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety disorders.

Question 5

Margaret has been suffering with dysthymia for several years and has sought treatment on several occasions. About one month ago she developed more severe symptoms of depression, which have been maintained almost daily. The condition she is experiencing is best described as
A) double depression.
B) chronic melancholia.
C) adjustment disorder with bipolar features.
D) recurring melancholic depression.

Accepted Answer

Margaret's condition is best described as double depression, which is characterized by the presence of both dysthymia and major depressive disorder.

Question 6

Over the past two years, Kelly has experienced depressive episodes three different times. Two of the three episodes occurred in the winter and the third occurred last spring. It is now winter and Kelly's depressive symptoms once again are consistent with major depressive disorder. Which of the following diagnoses should she be given?
A) Dysthymic disorder
B) Chronic major depressive disorder
C) Recurrent major depressive disorder
D) Recurrent major depressive disorder with a seasonal pattern

Accepted Answer

The answer of Over the past two years, Kelly has...

Question 7

The average duration of an untreated episode of depression is
A) 6-9 months.
B) 1 year.
C) 2 years.
D) unknown as individuals not seeking treatment haven't been studied.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that the average duration of an untreated episode of depression is between 6 to 9 months. Therefore, option A is the correct choice. Option B and C are incorrect as they exceed the average duration of untreated depression. Option D is also incorrect as research has been conducted on individuals who do not seek treatment for depression, albeit limited.

Question 8

Seasonal affective disorder is best described as a ________ depressive disorder.
A) mood-congruent
B) minor
C) psychotic
D) recurrent

Accepted Answer

Seasonal affective disorder is characterized by the pattern of the depressive episodes that occur with the change of seasons, specifically in the fall and winter with a remission in the spring and summer. This pattern of occurrence makes it a recurrent depressive disorder.

Question 9

Which of the following statements is supported by research on the role of genetic influences in unipolar disorder?
A) The more severe the depressive disorder, the greater the genetic contribution.
B) Twin studies do not consistently find evidence of an inherited susceptibility to depression.
C) Genes play a more significant causal role in bipolar disorders than they do in unipolar disorders.
D) Bipolar and unipolar disorders are equally heritable.

Accepted Answer

Research has found that the more severe the depressive disorder, the greater the genetic contribution. Twin studies consistently find evidence of an inherited susceptibility to depression, supporting the role of genetic influences in unipolar disorder. However, genes do not play a more significant causal role in bipolar disorders than they do in unipolar disorders, and bipolar and unipolar disorders are not equally heritable.

Question 10

Kerry suffers from depression. He is experiencing delusions that his brain is deteriorating and that he is aging quickly. These delusions
A) are uncommon in depression and suggest a diagnosis of schizophrenia.
B) are typical of depressive delusions because they are mood-congruent.
C) suggest that he is suffering from a bipolar rather than a unipolar disorder.
D) are most likely to persist after the depression remits.

Accepted Answer

Delusions that are mood-congruent, meaning they align with the individual's depressed mood, are typical of depressive delusions. Kerry's delusions fit this description, as they are about brain deterioration and aging quickly, which may align with feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness commonly experienced in depression. The other options are less likely because Kerry does not exhibit other typical signs of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, and there is no evidence to suggest his delusions will persist after the depression remits.

Question 11

Which of the following is a research finding that is inconsistent with the monoamine hypothesis of depression?
A) Drugs that increase serotonergic activity are effective in treating depression.
B) Increases in noradrenergic activity have been seen in the brains of depressed patients.
C) Heightened sensitivity to drugs that increase GABA activity is commonly seen in individuals with bipolar disorder.
D) Tricyclic antidepressants work by blocking monoamine reuptake.

Accepted Answer

The monoamine hypothesis of depression suggests that depression is caused by a deficiency in monoamine neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. However, research has found that increases in noradrenergic (norepinephrine) activity have been seen in the brains of depressed patients, which contradicts the hypothesis. The other options are consistent with the monoamine hypothesis.

Question 12

A recurrent depressive episode
A) is preceded by one or more previous episodes.
B) suggests that chronic major depression has developed.
C) typically lasts 2-3 weeks.
D) is characteristic of all forms of bipolar disorder.

Accepted Answer

A recurrent depressive episode is defined by the presence of one or more previous episodes.

Question 13

Which of the following is most likely to be seen in children who are at risk for depression?
A) Decreased left hemisphere activity
B) Decreased right hemisphere activity
C) Increased serotonin levels
D) Increased GABA levels

Accepted Answer

Decreased left hemisphere activity is associated with depression. The left hemisphere is often linked to positive emotions and reward, and decreased activity in this area can be a marker for depression.

Question 14

The finding that people with one type of serotonin transporter gene and childhood maltreatment had higher rates of depression than either those without the gene or those with the gene without the maltreatment suggests that
A) childhood maltreatment causes depression.
B) only one type of gene causes depression.
C) either or a gene or certain environmental factors need to be present to cause depression.
D) both a gene and certain environmental factors need to be present to cause depression.

Accepted Answer

The finding suggests that both a gene and certain environmental factors (i.e. childhood maltreatment) need to be present to cause depression, indicating a gene-environment interaction. This is in line with the diathesis-stress model, which proposes that the onset of a disorder is the result of the interaction of a predisposing vulnerability (e.g. genetic factors) and stressors from the environment.

Question 15

Which of the following is a true statement about the recurrence of depressive symptoms?
A) If a recurrence is not experienced within 1 year after an initial depressive episode, recurrence is highly unlikely.
B) Most individuals diagnosed with major depression will exhibit a recurrence.
C) Those with depression with psychotic features are less likely to experience a recurrence.
D) Clients are usually asymptomatic between depressive episodes.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that individuals diagnosed with major depression are at a high risk for experiencing a recurrence of depressive symptoms. The risk increases with the number of previous depressive episodes a person has had.

Question 16

The fact that bright light may be an effective treatment for seasonal affective disorder suggests that
A) this is a not a real form of depression as any response to light is merely a placebo effect.
B) this form of depression is produced by a malfunctioning biological clock that needs resetting.
C) changes in circadian rhythms underlie most forms of depression.
D) seasonal affective disorder is a unique entity that should not be categorized with other forms of unipolar depression.

Accepted Answer

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is believed to be caused by a disruption in the body's circadian rhythms, which control sleep-wake cycles, hormone production, and other biological functions. Bright light therapy has been found to be effective in treating SAD by resetting the biological clock and improving mood. Therefore, B is the best choice as it provides an explanation for why bright light therapy can be effective in treating SAD. A is incorrect because numerous clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of bright light therapy as a treatment for SAD. C is incorrect because while disruptions in circadian rhythms may contribute to some forms of depression, it is not a universal cause. D is incorrect because SAD is classified as a subtype of major depressive disorder.

Question 17

John's erratic behavior finally ruined his marriage. What kind of life event would this be described as?
A) Acute
B) Chronic
C) Dependent
D) Independent

Accepted Answer

The answer of John's erratic behavior finally ruined his marriage....

Question 18

Many people who are depressed
A) show very little REM sleep, instead they spend large amounts of time in the deeper stages (3 and 4) of sleep.
B) do not enter REM sleep until much later in the night than normal and have smaller amounts of REM sleep throughout the night than normal.
C) enter REM sleep earlier than normal and have larger amounts of REM sleep early in the night.
D) enter REM sleep at a normal time, but have very slow and mild rapid eye movements and have less overall time in REM sleep than normal.

Accepted Answer

C) People who are depressed often enter REM sleep earlier than normal and have larger amounts of REM sleep early in the night, which is a deviation from the typical sleep pattern observed in individuals without depression.

Question 19

Deena has major depressive disorder. Most days she feels very sad, but when her sister came and told Deena she was going to be an aunt, Deena felt happy for a little while. She has been gaining weight and sleeping much of the day. Deena most likely has
A) melancholic features.
B) double depression.
C) atypical features.
D) psychotic features.

Accepted Answer

Deena's symptoms of feeling better in response to positive news, weight gain, and excessive sleeping are all consistent with atypical features of depression. Melancholic features would include more severe symptoms such as an inability to feel pleasure, and double depression would imply that Deena also experiences periods of major depression within a longer overall period of dysthymia. Psychotic features would include hallucinations or delusions, which are not mentioned in the scenario.

Question 20

Independent life events are those that
A) only affect one area of a client's functioning.
B) are out of the client's control.
C) are linked causally to the behavior or personality of the client.
D) affect the client and not those around him or her.

Accepted Answer

Independent life events are events that are outside of the client's control, such as natural disasters or unexpected illness. They can affect multiple areas of a client's functioning and can impact those around them as well. They are independent of the client's behavior or personality.

Quiz 7: Mood Disorders and Suicide

Drugs that alter the availability of norepinephrine and serotonin are not clinically effective in the treatment of depression for several weeks. Which of the following does this finding suggest?

A rapid return of symptoms immediately after drug treatment is terminated is a common example of ; a return to depressive symptoms after a period of spontaneous remission of symptoms is called a .

Which of the following is a brain area that has been found to exhibit abnormalities in depressed patients?

Individuals who do not show a decrease in cortisol levels in response to an injection of dexamethasone

Margaret has been suffering with dysthymia for several years and has sought treatment on several occasions. About one month ago she developed more severe symptoms of depression, which have been maintained almost daily. The condition she is experiencing is best described as

The average duration of an untreated episode of depression is

Seasonal affective disorder is best described as a ________ depressive disorder.

Which of the following statements is supported by research on the role of genetic influences in unipolar disorder?

Kerry suffers from depression. He is experiencing delusions that his brain is deteriorating and that he is aging quickly. These delusions

Which of the following is a research finding that is inconsistent with the monoamine hypothesis of depression?

A recurrent depressive episode

Which of the following is most likely to be seen in children who are at risk for depression?

The finding that people with one type of serotonin transporter gene and childhood maltreatment had higher rates of depression than either those without the gene or those with the gene without the maltreatment suggests that

Which of the following is a true statement about the recurrence of depressive symptoms?

The fact that bright light may be an effective treatment for seasonal affective disorder suggests that

John's erratic behavior finally ruined his marriage. What kind of life event would this be described as?

Many people who are depressed

Deena has major depressive disorder. Most days she feels very sad, but when her sister came and told Deena she was going to be an aunt, Deena felt happy for a little while. She has been gaining weight and sleeping much of the day. Deena most likely has

Independent life events are those that