Deck 13: Hormones and Affective Disorders

Question 1

Postpartum depression may result from

A) high estrogen concentrations following pregnancy.
B) cortisol suppression by dexamethasone.
C) opiate withdrawal following parturition.
D) opiate addiction following parturition.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Peak cortisol concentrations in clinically depressed individuals

A) occur in the morning around waking.
B) occur 3-4 hours after sleep onset.
C) are not affected by dexamethasone.
D) are normal.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Which treatment has been found beneficial to many persons suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD)?

A) Androgen injections
B) Destruction of the pineal gland
C) Exposure to light in the 200-500 LUX
D) Exposure to light above 2500 LUX

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Recent data suggest that androgen steroids

A) may be addictive.
B) definitely are not addictive.
C) have no effect on mood.
D) increase feelings of well-being and contentment.

Question 5

Serotonin is converted to melatonin

A) by the adrenal glands.
B) in the POA.
C) by the pineal gland.
D) by the enzyme tryptophan.

Question 6

A _______ living in _______ would be most likely to experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

A) male; the Andes
B) female; Death Valley
C) male; the Yukon
D) female; Oslo

Question 7

Habitual steroid users

A) are less likely to experience psychiatric illness.
B) cannot become addicted to steroids.
C) may be more likely to commit suicide if they stop abruptly.
D) have larger external genitalia than nonusers.

Question 8

Which issue is generally not associated with anabolic steroid abuse?

A) Sterility
B) Acne
C) Immunosuppression
D) Improved spatial ability

Question 9

What is generally not a symptom associated with PMS?

A) Immunosuppression
B) Abdominal cramps
C) Headaches
D) Decreased mood

Question 10

Anorexia nervosa is most commonly observed in

A) lower-income people.
B) young women.
C) young men.
D) post-menopausal women.

Question 11

Which statement about anorexia nervosa is false?

A) It is the only psychiatric disorder that requires an endocrine dysfunction as a criterion for diagnosis.
B) It only affects females.
C) It has a high comorbidity with OCD.
D) It has a strong genetic component.

Question 12

Which neurotransmitter is likely involved in seasonal affective disorder (SAD)?

A) Serotonin
B) Norepinephrine
C) Epinephrine
D) Glutamate

Question 13

Which symptom is not associated with anorexia nervosa?

A) Hypogonadism
B) Amenorrhea
C) Delayed onset of puberty
D) Increased insulin

Question 14

List three hormones that affect mood.

Question 15

List three clinical behavioral syndromes arising from endocrine dysfunctions.

Question 16

Which hormones have been specifically implicated in PMS symptoms?

Question 17

What are the likely hormonal and/or sociocultural contributions to sex differences in eating disorders?

Question 18

What is the difference between PMS and PMDD? Why have the distinction?

Question 19

Perimenstrual syndrome and postpartum depression are popularly known to be caused by endocrine changes. However, research has not provided compelling evidence that hormonal changes underlie the reported changes in mood. What evidence is necessary before the statement "Lack of steroid hormones causes mood depression" can be asserted?

Question 20

Explain what is known about cortisol and its relation to clinical depression. What is the dexamethasone-suppression test? How do depressed and non-depressed individuals differ with respect to this test?

Question 21

Explain the proposed role of β-endorphin in postpartum depression symptoms.

Question 22

Describe how light and melatonin can be administered to produce phase advances or phase delays of the circadian rhythm. Which of these scenarios is effective as a treatment for seasonal affective disorder (SAD)?

Question 23

Discuss how anabolic steroid abusers fulfill the criteria for psychoactive substance use disorder. Do you think steroid abuse can be considered an addiction and why?