7- How The Medical Model Creates Learned Helplessness- Mental Health Diagnoses - Anxiety Course 7/30 (Therapy in a Nutshell)

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L14GC1UFWcE&list=PLiUrrIiqidTVqab7pZivzb-e-tMA8qjd-&index=8

Correct Answer: C. That a diagnosis means depression is a permanent biological trait

Explanation:
The speaker explains that many people believe a diagnosis means depression is a fixed, genetic, or inherent part of their identity, which leads to learned helplessness. This is described as a misunderstanding of how mental health diagnoses work.

When people say, “I have clinical depression,” what misunderstanding does the speaker identify?

A. That depression is always caused by trauma
B. That depression cannot be diagnosed accurately
C. That a diagnosis means depression is a permanent biological trait
D. That depression requires residential treatment

Correct Answer: C. It increases learned helplessness

Explanation:
The speaker argues that applying the medical model to mental health has unintentionally created learned helplessness by making people believe mental illnesses are permanent and purely biological.

According to the speaker, what is a major problem created by applying the medical model to mental health?

A. It prevents medication use
B. It eliminates psychotherapy options
C. It increases learned helplessness
D. It removes diagnostic accuracy

Correct Answer: D. 93%

Explanation:
The speaker reports that robust testing in one residential program showed that 93% of clients no longer met criteria for depression or their primary issue at discharge.

What percentage of clients in residential treatment no longer met criteria for depression at discharge, according to the speaker?

A. 65%
B. 70%
C. 80%
D. 93%

Correct Answer: C. Clients received hundreds of intensive interventions

Explanation:
The speaker emphasizes that residential treatment includes intensive support such as structured schedules, exercise, nutrition, and professional care, which contributes to strong outcomes.

Why does the speaker say residential treatment results should be interpreted carefully?

A. Clients were not properly diagnosed
B. The treatment lasted too long
C. Clients received hundreds of intensive interventions
D. Medication was not involved

Correct Answer: D. A cluster of symptoms

Explanation:
The speaker clearly states that a mental-health diagnosis describes a group of symptoms, not their cause.

What does the speaker say a mental-health diagnosis actually represents?

A. The biological cause of symptoms
B. A permanent identity
C. A genetic disorder
D. A cluster of symptoms

Correct Answer: B. Only the flu diagnosis identifies the cause

Explanation:
A flu diagnosis identifies the influenza virus as the cause, whereas a depression diagnosis only labels symptoms without identifying their cause.

How does the speaker compare a depression diagnosis to a flu diagnosis?

A. Both identify the cause of symptoms
B. Only the flu diagnosis identifies the cause
C. Both rely on brain scans
D. Neither is scientifically valid

Correct Answer: C. Beck Depression Inventory

Explanation:
The speaker specifically mentions the Beck Depression Inventory and notes that scores above 20 indicate moderate depression or higher.

Which assessment tool is mentioned as an example of measuring depression severity?

A. DSM-5
B. PHQ-9
C. Beck Depression Inventory
D. GAD-7

Correct Answer: D. May represent many different disease states

Explanation:
Dr. Raison’s conceptualization is that depression does not exist as one thing but may represent many different disease states with complex causes.

According to Dr. Charles Raison’s view summarized in the text, depression:

A. Is caused by a single biological mechanism
B. Exists as one specific disease
C. Is a rare modern disorder
D. May represent many different disease states

Correct Answer: C. As a chance for rest and recovery

Explanation:
The speaker suggests depression can be seen as a shutdown state that allows the body to rest, heal, and recover when overwhelmed.

How does the speaker personally reinterpret depression compared to Dr. Raison’s description?

A. As a genetic failure
B. As moral weakness
C. As a chance for rest and recovery
D. As permanent damage

Correct Answer: C. 35%

Explanation:
The speaker states that depression is about 35% heritable, meaning genetics contribute but are not the primary determining factor.

What percentage of depression does the speaker say is heritable based on twin studies?

A. 15%
B. 25%
C. 35%
D. 65%

Correct Answer: D. They involve other modifiable factors

Explanation:
The speaker emphasizes that the remaining 65% involves factors such as sleep, nutrition, thoughts, trauma, inflammation, and social connection—many of which can be changed.

If depression is approximately 35% genetic, what does the speaker say about the remaining causes?

A. They are unknown
B. They are psychological only
C. They are unchangeable
D. They involve other modifiable factors

Correct Answer: B. 30% recover within 6–8 weeks

Explanation:
The speaker states that over 30% of people recover from depression without treatment within six to eight weeks.

What does research cited in the video say about recovery from depression without treatment?

A. No one recovers without treatment
B. 30% recover within 6–8 weeks
C. 80% recover within 6–8 weeks
D. Recovery only occurs with medication

Correct Answer: D. An elephant tied with a rope

Explanation:
The elephant story illustrates how believing one is powerless—even when strength exists—leads to learned helplessness.

What metaphor is used to illustrate learned helplessness?

A. A locked door
B. A broken chain
C. A trapped bird
D. An elephant tied with a rope

Correct Answer: B. When symptoms are reduced or eliminated

Explanation:
A diagnosis is based on symptoms; when symptoms decrease or resolve, the person no longer meets diagnostic criteria.

According to the speaker, when do people no longer qualify for a mental-health diagnosis?

A. When medication is stopped
B. When symptoms are reduced or eliminated
C. When they reject the diagnosis
D. When they complete therapy

Correct Answer: C. Creation of learned helplessness

Explanation:
The speaker explains that fusing identity with a diagnosis limits options and reinforces learned helplessness.

What is the main risk of over-identifying with a mental-health diagnosis?

A. Increased symptom awareness
B. Loss of insurance coverage
C. Creation of learned helplessness
D. Overuse of medication

Correct Answer: B. Improvements lasted for years after discharge

Explanation:
The speaker states that many positive treatment outcomes were maintained for years after discharge, indicating lasting change rather than short-term improvement.

In residential treatment, what additional finding strengthened the significance of symptom improvement?

A. Clients discontinued all medications
B. Improvements lasted for years after discharge
C. Most clients avoided psychotherapy
D. Symptoms returned immediately after treatment

Correct Answer: C. Six to eight co-occurring diagnoses

Explanation:
The speaker explains that many clients entered treatment with multiple co-occurring diagnoses, sometimes as many as six or eight.

Which of the following BEST describes the types of diagnoses many residential clients had?

A. A single diagnosis only
B. Only mood disorders
C. Six to eight co-occurring diagnoses
D. Only anxiety and depression

Correct Answer: B. Allergies

Explanation:
The speaker specifically mentions inflammation, allergies, sleep, nutrition, loneliness, trauma, and faulty thinking as contributing factors to depression.

Which of the following is explicitly listed as a possible contributing factor to depression?

A. Intelligence level
B. Allergies
C. Blood type
D. Personality traits

Correct Answer: C. About 65% of people experience symptom reduction

Explanation:
The speaker states that medication helps around 65% of people reduce symptoms of depression.

According to the speaker, how effective is medication in reducing depressive symptoms?

A. About 30% of people improve
B. About 50% of people improve
C. About 65% of people experience symptom reduction
D. Nearly all people recover

Correct Answer: C. Genetic risk may be activated by life experiences

Explanation:
The speaker explains that genetic vulnerability may be turned on by life circumstances such as abuse or trauma.

What does research suggest about genetic predisposition and depression?

A. Genes alone determine depression
B. Genetics are irrelevant
C. Genetic risk may be activated by life experiences
D. Genetics guarantee chronic illness

Correct Answer: C. 27–40%

Explanation:
The speaker states that anxiety disorders have a heritability estimate between 27% and 40%.

What range does the speaker give for the heritability of anxiety disorders?

A. 10–20%
B. 20–25%
C. 27–40%
D. 50–70%

Correct Answer: C. Biological, psychological, and behavioral interventions

Explanation:
The speaker emphasizes that anxiety can be treated from multiple angles, including biological, psychological, and behavioral approaches.

How does the speaker describe the treatment approach for anxiety disorders?

A. Medication-only
B. Psychological factors only
C. Biological, psychological, and behavioral interventions
D. Avoidance-based coping

Correct Answer: D. Depression, anxiety, and PTSD should not be assumed permanent

Explanation:
The speaker warns against assuming these conditions are chronic by default and encourages exploring treatment options first.

What caution does the speaker give regarding assumptions about mental illness?

A. All conditions require lifelong medication
B. Mental illness is usually imaginary
C. Mental illness should be assumed chronic first
D. Depression, anxiety, and PTSD should not be assumed permanent

Correct Answer: C. As a lack of resources or skills

Explanation:
The speaker frames mental illness as a lack of resources or skills rather than a flaw or identity.

How does the speaker reframe mental illness conceptually?

A. As a moral failure
B. As a permanent defect
C. As a lack of resources or skills
D. As a personality trait

Correct Answer: C. Flexibly and only when helpful

Explanation:
The speaker advises holding diagnoses lightly—using them when helpful, but not clinging to them in ways that limit options.

According to the speaker, how should diagnoses be used?

A. As fixed identity labels
B. Only for insurance purposes
C. Flexibly and only when helpful
D. As proof of biological damage

Correct Answer: C. Feeling offended by the idea of improving symptoms

Explanation:
The speaker notes that feeling offended by the suggestion that life could improve may signal over-identification with a diagnosis.

What reaction may indicate that someone has over-identified with their diagnosis?

A. Curiosity about treatment options
B. Hopefulness about change
C. Feeling offended by the idea of improving symptoms
D. Willingness to try new skills