(Chapter 14) Depressive Disorders

What is persistent depressive disorder?

it is diagnosed when low-level depression occurs most of the day, for the majority of the day, for the majority of days

What is premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

it refers to a cluster of symptoms that occur in the last week before the onset of a women’s period

What is major depressive disorder?

it is characterized by a persistently depressed mood lasting for a minimum of two weeks

• also known as major depression

What is bereavement exclusion?

it is where clinicians are advised against diagnosing a person with depression in the first two months following a significant loss

• normal mourning could be labeled pathological

• a psychiatric diagnosis could result in a lifelong label

• unnecessary medications might be prescribed

What is anergia?

it is an abnormal lack of energy, may result in psychomotor retardation, in which movements are extremely slow, facial expressions are decreased, and gaze it fixed

What are vegetative signs of depression?

it refers to alterations in those activities necessary to support physical life and growth (e.g., eating, elimination, sleeping, and sex)

What is anhedonia?

it is the absence of happiness or the inability to feel pleasure in aspects of life that once made a person happy

What is affect?

it is the outward representation of a person’s internal state and is an objective finding based on the nurse’s assessment

What is poverty of thought?

it is when someone’s verbal response is slow or absent

• during a conversation, you may have to repeat questions or comment in order to prompt the patient for a response

What is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)?

it is used for acute depression

• may be a reliable and effective alternative to medications

What is serotonin syndrome?

it is related to overactivation of central serotonin receptors either too high a dose or interaction with other drugs

What is repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)?

it is a noninvasive treatment modality; it used MRI-strength magnetic pulses to stimulate focal areas of the cerebral cortex

What is vagus nerve stimulation?

it is electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve that results in boosting the level of neurotransmitters, thereby improving mood and also enhancing the action of antidepressants

What is light therapy?

it is exposure to light that suppresses the nocturnal secretion of melatonin, which seems to be therapeutic effect on people with seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

What is seasonal affective disorder (SAD)?

it is a type of depression that follows a seasonal pattern, with symptoms typically beginning in the fall and winter, and improving in the spring and summer

What is deep brain stimulation?

it is a treatment whereby electrodes are surgically implanted into specific areas of the brain to stimulate those regions identified to be underactive in depression

What is suicidal ideation?

it is the range if thoughts, considerations and preoccupations with ending one’s own life