Mental Health Assessment 3 – Group Therapy, Family Dynamics, Depressive Disorders & Treatments

A comprehensive set of 100 vocabulary flashcards covering group therapy concepts, family dynamics, depressive disorders, brain-stimulation treatments, psychopharmacology, suicide precautions, and grief processes for Mental Health Assessment 3 review.

Group Process

The total verbal and non-verbal interaction patterns that occur between members during a group session.

Group Norm

The implicit or explicit rules that guide member behavior within a therapy group.

Hidden Agenda

Undeclared goals held by one or more members that interfere with the group’s stated objectives.

Subgroup

A smaller faction that forms within the larger therapy group, often excluding others.

Homogeneous Group

A therapy group in which all members share a selected common characteristic.

Heterogeneous Group

A therapy group whose members do not share a chosen common trait.

Orientation Phase

Initial stage of group development focused on establishing goals, trust, and member roles.

Working Phase

Stage where problem-solving skills are practiced and behavioral change is promoted.

Termination Phase

Final stage in which group sessions end and members prepare for independence.

Maintenance Roles

Member behaviors aimed at preserving group cohesion and purpose.

Task Roles

Member actions undertaken to accomplish specific work within the group.

Individual Roles

Self-centered behaviors that hinder teamwork and promote personal agendas.

Nuclear Family

Family unit where children live with their married biological parents.

Single-Parent Family

Household in which children live with only one adult caregiver.

Adoptive Family

Family where children reside with legally adoptive parent(s).

Blended Family

Household consisting of a biological parent, a stepparent, and their children.

Extended Family

Family in which children live with a parent plus a grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc.

Other Family

Arrangement where children live with non-relatives who are neither biological nor adoptive parents.

Blaming

Communication style that shifts responsibility for problems onto others.

Manipulation

Using dishonesty to influence others for personal gain within family or group.

Placating

Taking undue responsibility to avoid conflict, often making excuses for others.

Distracting

Introducing irrelevant information to defuse or avoid confrontation.

Generalization

Using broad statements such as "always" or "never" to describe behavior and avoid specifics.

Scapegoating

Assigning all family blame to one individual regardless of actual responsibility.

Triangulation

Drawing a third person into a conflicted two-person relationship to mediate or carry messages.

Multigenerational Issues

Emotional patterns or problems transmitted across several family generations.

Enmeshed Boundaries

Family boundaries so blurred that individual roles and autonomy become unclear.

Rigid Boundaries

Overly strict family rules leading to minimal communication and flexibility.

Depressed Mood

Persistent feeling of sadness or emptiness characteristic of depressive disorders.

Anhedonia

Loss of interest or pleasure in previously enjoyable activities.

Anergia

Pronounced lack of energy or physical fatigue seen in depression.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Unipolar depressive episode lasting ≥2 weeks with ≥5 characteristic symptoms.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)

Chronic, milder depression lasting ≥2 years in adults (≥1 year in children).

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Depression linked to reduced daylight, commonly occurring during winter months.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

Severe emotional and physical symptoms before menstruation that impair daily life.

Substance-Induced Depression

Depressive symptoms triggered by use or withdrawal of alcohol or other substances.

Acute Phase (Depression Treatment)

First 6–12 weeks focused on symptom reduction and safety; may require hospitalization.

Continuation Phase

4–9 month period aimed at relapse prevention through meds, education, and therapy.

Maintenance Phase

Long-term stage designed to prevent future depressive episodes and preserve function.

Family History Risk

Having relatives with depression increases personal susceptibility to the disorder.

Female Gender Risk

Women are approximately twice as likely as men to develop depression.

Older Age Risk

Adults over 65 have high depression prevalence that can mimic dementia symptoms.

Early-Life Trauma

Childhood abuse or neglect that elevates risk for later depressive disorders.

Postpartum Risk

Depression emerging after childbirth due to hormonal and psychosocial changes.

Medical Illness Risk

Serious physical conditions, such as cancer, that predispose individuals to depression.

Substance Abuse Risk

Use of alcohol or drugs that contributes to onset or worsening of depression.

Psychomotor Retardation

Observable slowing of speech, movement, and thought processes in depression.

Vegetative Findings

Physical changes in sleep, appetite, elimination, or sex drive seen in depression.

Somatic Reports

Physical complaints like fatigue or pain that accompany mood disorders.

Therapeutic Silence

Purposeful use of quiet presence to convey support to depressed clients.

Simple Concrete Directions

Clear, brief instructions given to clients with slowed cognition to reduce anxiety.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

Procedure using electrical currents to induce seizures and treat severe mental illness.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Non-invasive magnetic pulses applied to the scalp to stimulate cortical neurons.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)

Implanted device delivering electrical impulses to the vagus nerve for resistant depression.

Retrograde Amnesia

Temporary memory loss for events occurring before an ECT treatment session.

Serotonin Enhancement (ECT)

Hypothesized boost in serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine following ECT-induced seizures.

Short-Acting Anesthetic

Medication such as propofol given prior to ECT to induce brief unconsciousness.

Muscle Relaxant (ECT)

Agent like succinylcholine used to prevent injury during seizure activity.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

First-line antidepressants that block serotonin reuptake to intensify its effect.

Sertraline

Common SSRI used for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other disorders.

Paroxetine

SSRI associated with birth-defect risk; treats depression and anxiety disorders.

Fluoxetine

Long-half-life SSRI; must be stopped 5 weeks before starting an MAOI.

Fluvoxamine

SSRI frequently prescribed for obsessive–compulsive disorder.

Citalopram

SSRI antidepressant that requires monitoring for dose-related QT prolongation.

Escitalopram

S-isomer of citalopram; SSRI with favorable side-effect profile.

Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)

Antidepressants that increase both serotonin and norepinephrine in the synapse.

Desvenlafaxine

SNRI; active metabolite of venlafaxine used for major depression.

Venlafaxine

SNRI that can raise blood pressure due to norepinephrine action.

Duloxetine

SNRI also indicated for neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia.

Levomilnacipran

SNRI approved for major depressive disorder with balanced NE and 5-HT action.

Mirtazapine

Atypical antidepressant causing sedation and weight gain, helpful in the elderly.

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)

Older agents blocking serotonin and NE reuptake; carry anticholinergic side effects.

Amitriptyline

Sedating TCA; pregnancy risk C and high toxicity in overdose.

Nortriptyline

Secondary-amine TCA often used when less sedation is desired.

Imipramine

TCA historically used for depression and childhood enuresis.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)

Antidepressants that inhibit breakdown of serotonin, NE, and dopamine; require diet restrictions.

Phenelzine

Classic MAOI used for atypical depression resistant to other treatments.

Tranylcypromine

Stimulating MAOI that may cause insomnia; part of "TIPS" mnemonic.

Isocarboxazid

MAOI antidepressant requiring avoidance of tyramine-rich foods.

Selegiline

MAOI available as a transdermal patch; interacts with carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine.

Tyramine

Amino acid that can precipitate hypertensive crisis when ingested with MAOIs.

Bupropion

Atypical antidepressant acting on dopamine/NE; also marketed for smoking cessation.

St. John’s Wort

Herbal product for mild depression that can cause serotonin syndrome with other antidepressants.

Serotonin Syndrome

Potentially fatal excess serotonin producing shivering, hyperreflexia, fever, and instability.

Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome

Flu-like symptoms and imbalance arising from abrupt cessation of antidepressants.

FINISH Acronym

Mnemonic for discontinuation symptoms: Flu, Insomnia, Nausea, Imbalance, Sensory changes, Hyperarousal.

SHITS & SHIVERS

Mnemonic summarizing key features of serotonin syndrome, including diarrhea and shivering.

Hyponatremia

Low sodium level possible with SSRI use, especially in older adults.

Bruxism

Involuntary teeth grinding that can occur with SSRI therapy.

Overt Statement

Direct verbal expression of suicidal intent, e.g., "I am going to kill myself."

Covert Statement

Indirect expression of suicidal thoughts, e.g., "I want to sleep and never wake up."

Contract for Safety

Verbal or written client promise to seek help before self-harm; not legally binding.

1:1 Supervision

Continuous observation protocol for clients at high suicide risk.

Cheeking Medication

Hiding prescribed pills in the mouth to save for a potential overdose.

Kubler-Ross Model

Five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance.

Normal Grief

Uncomplicated emotional response to loss that resolves over time.

Complicated Grief

Prolonged or delayed mourning preventing progression through grief stages.

Distorted Grief

Exaggerated grief reactions with prolonged anger potentially leading to depression.

Disenfranchised Grief

Mourning that cannot be openly acknowledged or socially supported.