Abnormal Psychology: Mood Disorders

Flashcards about Mood Disorders based on lecture notes.

What are the three Module Learning Outcomes for the Mood Disorders Module?

Examine Mood Disorders, Describe the characteristic symptoms and risk factors of depressive disorders, Examine bipolar and related disorders, Examine various perspectives and treatment methods for mood disorders.

What are some risk factors for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)?

Risk factors include a family history of the condition, major life changes, certain medications, chronic health problems, and substance abuse. Genetics accounts for about 40% of the risk.

How many symptoms must be present for a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder, and for how long?

A total of five symptoms for at least a two-week period.

Name some subtypes of depression as listed in the DSM-5.

Depression with Anxious Distress, Mixed Features, Melancholic Features, Atypical Features, Mood-congruent Psychotic Features, Catatonia, Seasonal Pattern, and Peripartum Onset.

What is Persistent Depressive Disorder?

A person experiences mild to moderate depressed moods for most of the day nearly every day for at least two years, and displays at least two of the symptoms of major depressive disorder.

What is Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)?

A childhood condition of extreme irritability, anger, and frequent, intense temper outbursts.

What is Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)?

A health problem that is similar to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) but more serious, causing severe irritability, depression, or anxiety in the week or two before a period starts.

What are the key differences between Bipolar I and Bipolar II Disorders?

Bipolar I Disorder (BD I) is characterized by a single or recurrent manic episode. Bipolar II Disorder (BD II) is characterized by single (or recurrent) hypomanic episodes and depressive episodes.

What are some symptoms that must be present in the context of euphoric mood (or at least four in the context of irritable mood) when diagnosing Bipolar Disorder?

Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity, increased goal-directed activity or psychomotor agitation, reduced need for sleep, racing thoughts or flight of ideas, distractibility, increased talkativeness, and excessive involvement in risky behaviors.

What are the Etiology and Epidemiology Factors for Bipolar Disorder?

Genetic influences are believed to account for 73-93% of the risk of developing the disorder. The lifetime prevalence rate of bipolar spectrum disorders in the general U.S. population is estimated at approximately 4.4%, with BD I constituting about 1% of this rate.

What is Cyclothymic Disorder?

A mental disorder that involves numerous periods of symptoms of depression and periods of symptoms of hypomania, but not sufficient to be a major depressive episode or a hypomanic episode. Symptoms must last for more than one year in children and two years in adults.

What is the Cognitive Perspective view on mood disorders?

Depression is triggered by negative thoughts, interpretations, self-evaluations, and expectations.

What is the Sociocultural Perspective view on mood disorders?

Depression is more prevalent in women than in men in individualist and collective cultures, possibly due to their inferior positions in the culture.

Name different psychological perspectives related to mood disorders.

Cognitive, sociocultural, psychodynamic, humanistic, and behavioral perspectives.

How does the psychodynamic perspective explain depression?

Depression is caused by unresolved unconscious conflict or repressed anger towards others.

What role do neurotransmitters play in mood disorders?

People with mood disorders often have imbalances in certain neurotransmitters, particularly norepinephrine and serotonin.

What are SSRIs? How do they treat depression?

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, the most commonly prescribed antidepressant medication, block the reabsorption of serotonin.

What is the fist-line treatment choice for Bipolar Disorder?

Lithium is the first-line treatment choice for Bipolar Disorder

How is Lithium thought to help treat Bipolar Disorder?

Lithium acts on several neurotransmitter systems in the brain through complex mechanisms, including reduction of excitatory (dopamine and glutamate) neurotransmission, and increasing of inhibitory (GABA) neurotransmission.

What is the CDC's defintion of Suicide?

Death caused by self- directed injurious behavior with any intent to die as the result of the behavior.

What are psychological and biological factors that make a person venerable to suicide?

The person must be biologically or psychologically vulnerable, have the means to perform the suicidal act, and lack the necessary protective factors.