8- Depressive and Bipolar Disorders: Crash Course Psychology #30

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwMlHkWKDwM

Correct Answer: C. 60–80%

Explanation:
Twin studies consistently show high concordance rates for bipolar disorder, generally ranging from 60–80%, demonstrating a strong genetic component but not genetic determinism.

Studies of identical twins show that if one twin has bipolar disorder, the likelihood that the other twin will also be diagnosed is approximately:

A. 10–20%
B. 30–40%
C. 60–80%
D. 95–100%

Correct Answer: C. Neurotransmitter imbalances correlate with depression but are not the sole cause

Explanation:
Serotonin and norepinephrine are correlated with depressive states, but depression arises from multiple interacting biological, psychological, and environmental factors, not a single chemical deficiency.

Which statement best reflects the modern understanding of neurotransmitters in depression?

A. Depression is caused solely by low serotonin levels
B. Low norepinephrine is the only biological factor involved
C. Neurotransmitter imbalances correlate with depression but are not the sole cause
D. Increasing serotonin always cures depression

Correct Answer: C. Women are more likely to seek treatment, though other factors may contribute

Explanation:
Higher diagnosis rates in women are partly explained by greater help-seeking behavior, but biological, hormonal, and social factors may also play roles.

Women are diagnosed with major depressive disorder more frequently than men primarily because:

A. Women experience more severe symptoms biologically
B. Men cannot develop depressive disorders
C. Women are more likely to seek treatment, though other factors may contribute
D. Diagnostic criteria exclude male presentations

Correct Answer: C. More characteristic of specific subtypes, such as rapid cycling

Explanation:
While bipolar disorder involves mood shifts, very rapid changes (within a day) are less typical and are usually associated with rapid-cycling or mixed-feature subtypes, not all cases.

Mood switching within a single day is:

A. Typical for all bipolar disorder cases
B. Impossible in bipolar disorder
C. More characteristic of specific subtypes, such as rapid cycling
D. A defining feature of major depressive disorder

Correct Answer: C. Influences multiple biological and psychological mechanisms

Explanation:
Exercise improves mood through multiple pathways, including neurotransmitter changes, stress reduction, improved sleep, and cognitive effects—not serotonin alone.

Exercise is recommended as part of depression treatment because it:

A. Permanently increases serotonin levels
B. Replaces the need for medication
C. Influences multiple biological and psychological mechanisms
D. Cures genetic mood disorders

Correct Answer: C. Brain activity patterns differ across depressed, manic, and typical states

Explanation:
Neuroimaging shows distinct brain activity patterns across mood states. Mood disorders arise from interacting genetic, neurological, and environmental factors, not a single cause.

Which statement best reflects the biological explanation of mood disorders?

A. Mood disorders result from a single neurotransmitter imbalance
B. Genetics alone determine mood disorders
C. Brain activity patterns differ across depressed, manic, and typical states
D. Environmental stress directly causes bipolar disorder

Correct Answer: B. Stress can trigger episodes in individuals with underlying vulnerability

Explanation:
Stress does not create bipolar disorder, but it can trigger manic or depressive episodes in individuals with genetic or biological susceptibility.

Which statement about stress and mood disorders is most accurate?

A. Stress alone can cause bipolar disorder
B. Stress can trigger episodes in individuals with underlying vulnerability
C. Stress has no effect on mood disorders
D. Stress only affects depressive disorders

Correct Answer: C. Mood disorders are often managed rather than eliminated

Explanation:
Mood disorders are typically chronic but manageable, often requiring ongoing treatment that may include medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle adjustments.

Which statement best describes long-term outcomes for mood disorders?

A. Most mood disorders are cured with short-term treatment
B. Medication alone is usually sufficient
C. Mood disorders are often managed rather than eliminated
D. Therapy is ineffective for biological disorders

Correct Answer: C. Moods are long-term, diffuse emotional states

Explanation:
Moods are longer-lasting and less specific than emotions, which are typically brief and tied to identifiable triggers.

Which statement best distinguishes moods from emotions in psychology?

A. Moods are more intense than emotions
B. Moods are brief reactions to specific events
C. Moods are long-term, diffuse emotional states
D. Emotions are harder to define than moods

Correct Answer: C. 2 weeks

Explanation:
The DSM-5 specifies at least two weeks of symptoms to distinguish clinical depression from temporary sadness.

According to the DSM-5, major depressive disorder requires symptoms to be present for at least:

A. 5 days
B. 1 week
C. 2 weeks
D. 1 month

Correct Answer: C. Common and widespread

Explanation:
The phrase emphasizes prevalence, not lack of seriousness. Depression is common but can be severe and disabling.

Depression is referred to as the “common cold” of psychological disorders primarily because it is:

A. Mild and rarely disabling
B. Easily cured
C. Common and widespread
D. Caused by viral infection

Correct Answer: B. Alternation between depression and mania

Explanation:
Depressive disorders involve only low mood, while bipolar disorders include both depressive and manic episodes.

Which feature best differentiates depressive disorders from bipolar disorders?

A. Presence of suicidal ideation
B. Alternation between depression and mania
C. Long-term emotional disturbance
D. Neurotransmitter involvement

Correct Answer: B. Increased self-esteem and impaired judgment

Explanation:
Mania involves inflated self-esteem, impulsivity, and poor judgment, not just happiness or energy.

Which of the following is a defining characteristic of a true manic episode?

A. Feeling happy and productive
B. Increased self-esteem and impaired judgment
C. Temporary relief from sadness
D. Improved concentration

Correct Answer: C. Risk to self or others

Explanation:
Manic behavior can become dangerous, involving reckless actions that pose serious risk.

Severe manic episodes often require hospitalization primarily because of:

A. Memory loss
B. Social withdrawal
C. Risk to self or others
D. Loss of appetite

Correct Answer: C. Negative attribution styles and learned helplessness

Explanation:
Depressed individuals often interpret events as internal, global, and permanent, reinforcing hopelessness.

From a social-cognitive perspective, depression is maintained by:

A. Neurotransmitter depletion
B. Genetic inheritance
C. Negative attribution styles and learned helplessness
D. Hormonal imbalance

Correct Answer: B. Negative events are unavoidable and uncontrollable

Explanation:
Learned helplessness involves the perception that nothing one does can change outcomes, fueling depressive symptoms.

Learned helplessness in depression refers to the belief that:

A. Help from others is unnecessary
B. Negative events are unavoidable and uncontrollable
C. Success is guaranteed with effort
D. Emotions are biologically fixed

Correct Answer: B. Brain activity slows compared to typical functioning

Explanation:
Depressed brains show reduced neural activity, while manic brains show heightened activity.

Brain imaging studies show that during depression:

A. Neural activity increases globally
B. Brain activity slows compared to typical functioning
C. Activity is identical to manic states
D. Only the amygdala is affected

Correct Answer: B. Depressive episodes often follow manic crashes

Explanation:
Severe post-manic depressive episodes significantly increase suicide risk, especially when untreated.

Untreated bipolar disorder carries a high suicide risk primarily because:

A. Manic episodes prevent rational thought permanently
B. Depressive episodes often follow manic crashes
C. Medication always worsens symptoms
D. Patients lack insight into their condition