Overview of Depressive and Psychotic Disorders

Major Depressive Disorder

Characterized by a depressive episode lasting weeks.

Persistent Depressive Disorder

Chronic depressed mood lasting over two years.

Bipolar 1 Disorder

Includes manic episodes with significant impairment.

Bipolar 2 Disorder

Depressive episode plus hypomanic episode without impairment.

Cyclothymic Disorder

Hypomanic episodes plus subclinical depressive symptoms for two years.

Helplessness Theory

Pessimistic style attributing failures to personal shortcomings.

Stable Attributions

Belief that problems are permanent and unchangeable.

Global Attributions

Assuming problems affect many life areas.

Stress-Vulnerability Model

Higher risk with existing vulnerabilities and stress.

Delusions

Strongly held implausible beliefs despite contradictory evidence.

Hallucinations

False perceptions occurring without external stimuli.

Disorganized Speech

Incoherent speech with loose associations and neologisms.

Grossly Disorganized Behavior

Inappropriate behavior ineffective for achieving goals.

Negative Symptoms

Absence or insufficiency of emotional expression.

Schizophrenia

Requires two symptoms for six months or more.

Brief Psychotic Disorder

One symptom lasting from one day to one month.

Delusional Disorder

One or more delusions lasting one month or more.

Dopamine Hypothesis

Suggests overactivity of dopamine in schizophrenia.

Antipsychotic Drugs

Medications that antagonize dopamine neurotransmitter activity.

Amphetamines

Dopamine agonists that worsen schizophrenia symptoms.

Biological Vulnerability

Sensitivity to negative information affecting mental health.

Amygdala Activity

Increased activity levels associated with depression.

Prefrontal Cortex Activity

Decreased activity levels linked to depressive disorders.

Childhood Abuse

Doubles the risk of developing depression later.

Traumatic Loss

Precedes major depression diagnosis in 25% of cases.

Stressful Life Events

Three or more increase depression risk significantly.

Genetic Factors

Identical twins show higher concordance rates for disorders.

Psychotic Disorders

Characterized by delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized behavior.

Cataonia

Severe motor disturbance often seen in psychotic disorders.