PSYCH Exam2

Depressive Disorder= group of disorders marked by unipolar depression

Depression=low, sad state marked by significant levels of sadness, lack of energy, low self-worth, guilt, or related symptoms

Bipolar Disorder=disorder marked by periods of mania and depression

Mania=state or episode of of euphoria or frenzied activity in which people may have exaggerated belief that the world is theirs for the taking

Anhedonia=inability to experience any pleasure at all

Major Depressive Disorder= disorder in which a person experiences two or more weeks with five or more depressive symptoms

Persistent Depressive Disorder=experiences symptoms of major or mild depression for at least 2 years

Dysthymic Disorder= symptoms are “mild by chronic”

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder=the symptoms include mood changes and then other typical depressive symptoms–also includes physical symptoms of PMS like breast tenderness, joint pain, bloating, weight gain.

Postpartum Depression=symptoms that can lead up to a year or more (extreme sadness, despair, tearfulness, insommia, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, compulsions, panic attacks, inability to cope, suicidal thoughts) impact on mother-infant relationship and well-being.

MAO Inhibitors= works to biochemically slow down the body’s production of MAO; leads to a rise in norepinephrine activity and a reduction in depressive symptoms.

Tricyclics=act on neurotransmitter reuptake mechanism of key neurons; block overly vigorous reuptake process and allow serotonin and norepinephrine to remain in the synapse longer

Second-Generation Antidepressants=selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) increase serotonin activity without affecting the norepinephrine or other neurotransmitters.

Psychodynamic Therapy=seek to bring unconscious grief into consciousness and work through them (free association, therapist interpretation, review of past events and feelings)

Bipolar 1 Disorder= manic episode lasts at least 1 week; can also experience major depressive or hypomanic episodes

Bipolar 2 Disorder=history or hypomania AND major depressive episode; hypomania lasts at least 4 days; no history of manic episode

Cyclothymic Disorder=for at least 2 years, numerous periods with hypomanic and depressive symptoms; they are present for at least half the time, with no symptoms for less than 2 months at a time

Neurotransmitter activity: mania may be related to high norepinephrine and low serotonin activity

Ion activity: improper transport of ions between outside and inside of neuron’s membrane

Brain structure: abnormally in hippocampus, basal ganglia, and cerebellum

Lithium=metallic element that occurs in nature as a mineral salt (very effective in treating Bipolar Disorder)