DEPRESSION II: Bipolar Disorder, Signs, Symptoms, & Treatment

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to Bipolar Disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Postpartum Depression, and various treatments for depression.

Bipolar Disorder

A mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

A type of depression that occurs at a specific time of year, usually in the winter months, characterized by symptoms such as sadness and fatigue due to reduced sunlight.

Postpartum Depression (PPD)

A complex disorder affecting women after childbirth, marked by persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, and difficulty forming an emotional attachment to the baby.

Monoamine Theory of Depression

A theory suggesting that depression is caused by low levels of monoamines (serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine) in the synapse.

Antidepressants

Medications used to treat depression, including various classes like SSRIs, SNRIs, and TCAs, each with specific mechanisms of action and potential side effects.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

A medical treatment for severe depression where controlled electric shocks are applied to the brain to induce seizures, often used when other treatments have failed.

Lithium

A mood stabilizer commonly used to treat bipolar disorder that helps manage the manic episodes by reducing glutamate activity and increasing GABA activity.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A type of psychotherapy that helps patients understand the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to improve mental health outcomes.

HPA Axis Dysregulation

An imbalance of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, often resulting in high cortisol levels, which can contribute to mood disorders like depression.

BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor)

A neurotrophic factor involved in the survival, maintenance, and growth of neurons, which is often reduced in individuals with depression.