Question 1

A Finnish study (Sourander et al., 2009) examined predictive associations between early child psychopathology and later completed suicides. The findings indicate that _____ of _____ who completed suicide and/or were hospitalized for attempts in adolescence or early adulthood screened positive on parent or teacher scales of psychopathology at age _____.

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is 78% of males who completed suicide and/or were hospitalized for suicide attempts in adolescence or early adulthood screened positive on parent or teacher scales of psychopathology at age 8.

Question 2

STAR*D is a flexible, individualized approach to treatment. STAR*D stands for:

Accepted Answer

STAR*D stands for Sequence Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression. It is a study that aims to find the most effective and individualized approach to treating depression, which involves trying different treatment options and tailoring them to the needs of the patient.

Question 3

Oquendo et al. (2008) stated that _____ in high risk groups often goes unidentified by assessing clinicians.

Accepted Answer

Oquendo et al. (2008) specifically stated that "suicidality in high risk groups often goes unidentified by assessing clinicians." They did not mention psychotic symptoms or depression in this context.

Question 4

Therapy for winter depression typically involves:

Accepted Answer

Exposure to bright white lights, also known as light therapy, is an effective treatment for winter depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). It involves sitting in front of a light therapy box for a specified amount of time each day, typically in the morning. This helps to regulate circadian rhythms and improve mood. Hormone injections and lithium treatments may be used in certain cases of depression, but are not typically used for winter depression. Exercise can also be helpful for improving mood, but is not as specific or targeted as light therapy for SAD.

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a myth about suicide?

Accepted Answer

Improvement in emotional state does not necessarily mean a heightened risk of suicide. This statement is not a myth; in some cases, individuals may show signs of improvement or a sudden lift in spirits because they have decided to end their lives, which can paradoxically increase the risk. However, the statement as phrased suggests that improvement always means heightened risk, which is misleading and not universally true. The other options (A, B, C) are indeed common myths about suicide.

Question 6

In a meta-analytic review of psychological interventions (19 RTCs) focusing on prevention in which an average reduction of 22% in the incidence of depression was revealed, Cuijpers et al. (2008) also concluded that:

Accepted Answer

The answer of In a meta-analytic review of psychological interventions...

Question 7

Medications as a treatment for depression

Accepted Answer

Medications can be effective in treating depression and are often used in conjunction with psychotherapy for the best results. While there may be potential side effects, the benefits of the medication may outweigh the risks for some individuals. It is important for patients to work closely with their healthcare provider to determine the best treatment plan for their individual needs.

Question 8

Given that antidepressant medications have been demonstrated to be effective, why are other treatments for depression still used?

Accepted Answer

Patients often relapse after they stop taking the medication. While antidepressant medications have been demonstrated to be effective, they are not always a long-term solution and some patients may experience a relapse in symptoms once they stop taking the medication. Additionally, some patients may prefer non-medication treatments or may have other medical or personal reasons for avoiding medication. Therefore, other treatments for depression are still used, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and mindfulness-based interventions.

Question 9

Scott has bipolar disorder. Which medication is he most likely to receive?

Accepted Answer

Lithium carbonate is a commonly prescribed medication for bipolar disorder as it helps stabilize mood and prevent both manic and depressive episodes. Imipramine, MAO inhibitors, and fluoxetine are used to treat depression and/or anxiety disorders, but they are not typically used as first-line treatments for bipolar disorder.

Question 10

The STAR*D approach to treating depression is best characterized by the premise that the best way to treat depression is

Accepted Answer

The STAR*D (Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression) approach emphasizes that there is no single best treatment for depression and that a patient's treatment plan should be tailored to their individual needs and responses. The approach involves trying different treatments in a sequence, starting with the most commonly used and progressing to more intensive options if the first treatment does not work. The overall goal is to find the treatment or combination of treatments that work best for a particular patient. This approach aligns with the idea of "whatever works" to effectively address the complex and varied nature of depression.

Question 11

After lithium treatment has resulted in recovery from a manic episode, the patient

Accepted Answer

Lithium treatment is used for the prevention of manic and depressive episodes in patients with bipolar disorder. Once a patient has recovered from a manic episode, it is important to continue the treatment to prevent a relapse. Discontinuing lithium treatment increases the risk of relapse in patients with bipolar disorder. However, the decision to continue or discontinue treatment should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider and should be based on the individual patient's symptoms and response to treatment.

Question 12

Attempted suicide is particularly common among people with:

Accepted Answer

Borderline personality disorder is the personality disorder most strongly associated with suicidal behavior. Research has shown that up to 80% of individuals with borderline personality disorder attempt suicide at some point in their lives, and up to 10% die by suicide. People with depressive personality disorder may experience chronic low mood and negative thinking, but this does not necessarily lead to suicidal behavior. Histrionic personality disorder is characterized by the need for attention and dramatic behavior, while narcissistic personality disorder involves an inflated sense of self-importance and a lack of empathy for others. Neither of these disorders has been specifically linked to increased risk for attempted suicide.

Question 13

Which of the following facts about suicide and gender is true? More _______ attempt suicide, and more ______ actually kill themselves.

Accepted Answer

Statistically, women are more likely to attempt suicide, but men are more likely to die by suicide. This is often attributed to men choosing more lethal methods.

Question 14

In a meta-analytic review of psychological interventions (19 RTCs) focusing on prevention, Cuijpers et al. (2008) revealed an average reduction of ___ in the incidence of depression.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In a meta-analytic review of psychological interventions...

Question 15

One big finding from the STAR*D research is:

Accepted Answer

The STAR*D research found that combined treatment (medication and therapy) offers relief for many people with depression, but it does not work for everyone. Therefore, option A and D are incorrect, and option B is a partial truth but does not capture the full scope of the findings.

Question 16

Which of the following is a myth about suicide?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is a myth...

Question 17

University of British Columbia researchers Lam and Levitt (1999) have found which of the following about the effectiveness of phototherapy?

Accepted Answer

Lam and Levitt (1999) found that phototherapy is effective in improving symptoms associated with SAD.

Question 18

Ana is taking lithium carbonate for her mania over a period of six months. She suddenly decided to stop taking the medicine. What is likely going to happen to Ana?

Accepted Answer

Abruptly stopping lithium carbonate, especially after long-term use for conditions like bipolar disorder, can lead to a rebound effect, increasing the risk of manic episodes more than if the medication had not been taken. This is due to the sudden removal of the mood-stabilizing effects of lithium, which can lead to an imbalance in neurotransmitters and exacerbate symptoms of mania.

Question 19

Which of the following statements about seasonal affective disorder (SAd) is not true?

Accepted Answer

Longer phototherapy light exposure has not been consistently linked with better outcomes in treating SAD. Some studies suggest that shorter exposure times may be just as effective, while others suggest that longer exposure times may be more beneficial. Therefore, this statement is not entirely true as more research needs to be done to conclude whether longer exposure times are always better.

Question 20

Which of the following describes the relationship between depression and suicide?

Accepted Answer

While many people who attempt or complete suicide may be experiencing depression, not all individuals who die by suicide experience depression. In fact, suicide can be a complex and multifaceted issue influenced by a variety of factors including mental health conditions, trauma, life events, or other circumstances. Therefore, while depression may be a contributing factor for some individuals who die by suicide, it is not the sole or only factor for all suicides.

Quiz 8: Mood Disorders and Suicide

STARD is a flexible, individualized approach to treatment. STARD stands for: