Question 1

Carol is a freshman at college and has been doing poorly in her studies and also recently broke up with her boyfriend. Her roommate is very worried about her because for the last three weeks, Carol has been sleeping too much, appears to be losing weight, and does not seem to enjoy doing anything anymore. She has stopped going to class, has quit her part-time job, and has referred to herself as "worthless"on several occasions. Her roommate has also noticed that Carol, who used to be very fussy about her appearance, now does not even comb her hair or put on make-up. Carol's diagnosis would most likely be:

Accepted Answer

Carol's symptoms, including excessive sleeping, weight loss, anhedonia (not enjoying anything anymore), feeling worthless, neglecting personal appearance, and withdrawing from activities and responsibilities, are indicative of major depressive disorder. These symptoms align with the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder, which includes a depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, and a loss of interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities.

Question 2

____________ is more chronic and has fewer symptoms than major depressive disorder with the individual being in a depressed mood for most days for at least two years as an adult and having no normal mood lasting longer than two months.

Accepted Answer

Dysthymic disorder, now known as persistent depressive disorder, is characterized by a chronic depressed mood that lasts for at least two years in adults, with fewer symptoms than major depressive disorder but a longer duration, making it more persistent and often harder to diagnose.

Question 3

Which disorder has been called the "common cold"of mental disorders?

Accepted Answer

Depression is often referred to as the "common cold" of mental disorders due to its high prevalence and the fact that it can affect almost anyone, similar to how most people will experience a common cold at some point in their lives.

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a good recommendation for an individual coping with depression?

Accepted Answer

Expecting one's mood to improve very quickly after starting therapy can lead to disappointment and frustration, as therapy is often a gradual process. The other options are generally recommended strategies for coping with depression.

Question 5

Which of the following is/are GOOD recommendation(s) for an individual coping with depression?

Accepted Answer

Each of these recommendations is considered a good practice for someone coping with depression. Setting realistic goals can help prevent feelings of overwhelm or failure. Postponing major decisions can avoid choices that might be regretted later. Social support and confiding in others can provide emotional relief and valuable perspectives.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a good recommendation for the family and friends of an individual who is trying to cope with depression?

Accepted Answer

Depression is a complex mental health condition that cannot be simply "snapped out of." The notion that someone can fake depression for attention and should be confronted if not better within a week is not only incorrect but also potentially harmful. Effective support for someone with depression involves patience, understanding, and encouragement to seek professional help, not confrontation based on unfounded assumptions.

Question 7

The essential feature of bipolar disorder is:

Accepted Answer

The essential feature of bipolar disorder is extreme mood swings, which include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).

Question 8

Jan feels euphoric and "on top of the world."She has tremendous energy and is only sleeping a couple of hours a night. However, she is also very impulsive and has been spending her life savings in a wild buying spree. Jan is experiencing a(n):

Accepted Answer

Jan's symptoms of euphoria, high energy, reduced need for sleep, and impulsive behavior, such as spending her life savings, are characteristic of a manic episode. These symptoms are part of bipolar disorder, where individuals experience extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).

Question 9

Fiona has been experiencing multiple cycles of depression interspersed with episodes of mania. Fiona has a _______ disorder.

Accepted Answer

Fiona's symptoms of experiencing cycles of depression and episodes of mania are characteristic of bipolar disorder, which involves shifts in mood, energy, and activity levels.

Question 10

Which of the following is TRUE regarding the causes of mood disorders?

Accepted Answer

Abnormalities in the monoamine neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, have been linked to mood disorders. This connection has been a significant focus of research into the biological basis of these conditions.

Question 11

Which of the following is FALSE regarding the causes of mood disorders?

Accepted Answer

The statement about individuals with depression having more neurons in the prefrontal cortex and sending too many slowdown signals to the amygdala is false. Depression is often associated with reduced activity or structural changes in certain areas of the brain, including the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, but not necessarily with having more neurons in the prefrontal cortex that send too many slowdown signals to the amygdala.

Question 12

Freud argued that depression is caused by:

Accepted Answer

Freud's theory of depression, part of his psychoanalytic theory, suggested that depression results from a turning inward of aggressive instincts. He believed that these aggressive instincts, originally directed at others, are redirected towards the self in the form of guilt and self-reproach, leading to depression.

Question 13

___________ theory emphasizes that depressed individuals become overly dependent on the evaluations and approval of others for their self-esteem, mainly because of inadequate nurturing by their parents.

Accepted Answer

Modern psychodynamic theory suggests that depression can stem from individuals' overdependence on external validation for their self-worth, often tracing back to insufficient emotional support or nurturing during their upbringing. This perspective builds on traditional psychoanalytic concepts while incorporating more contemporary understandings of interpersonal relationships and their impact on mental health.

Question 14

Peter Lewinshon's proposal that life's stresses can lead to depression by reducing the positive reinforcers in a person's life would be considered a:

Accepted Answer

Lewinsohn's theory that stresses reduce positive reinforcers, leading to depression, aligns with behavioral theory. This perspective emphasizes the role of external stimuli and learned behaviors in psychological conditions.

Question 15

Jerome was exposed to prolonged stress and began to feel that he could no longer control what happened to him, resulting in Jerome becoming depressed and apathetic. According to Martin Seligman, Jerome is exhibiting:

Accepted Answer

Jerome's feelings of being unable to control what happens to him and becoming depressed and apathetic are indicative of learned helplessness, a concept developed by Martin Seligman. This psychological condition occurs when an individual believes that they cannot control or change the situation they are in, leading to a lack of motivation or effort to try.

Question 16

Jessica is depressed and tends to concentrate on and continually think about how sad and hopeless she feels. However, Jessica is not trying to do anything about these feelings; thus, according to Nolen-Hocksema, Jessica is exhibiting:

Accepted Answer

Jessica's behavior of concentrating on and continually thinking about her sad and hopeless feelings without trying to change them is indicative of a ruminative coping style, as described by Nolen-Hoeksema. This style is characterized by passively and persistently focusing on one's symptoms of distress and the possible causes and consequences of these symptoms.

Question 17

A person supporting Aaron Beck's explanation of depression would focus on the role of:

Accepted Answer

Aaron Beck's cognitive theory of depression emphasizes the role of negative thoughts, including negative views about oneself, the world, and the future, as central to the development and maintenance of depression.

Question 18

___________ theorists explain depression in terms of catastrophic thinking, depressive realism, and an attributional view of depression.

Accepted Answer

Cognitive theorists explain depression focusing on how negative thinking patterns and perceptions about oneself and the world contribute to depressive symptoms. Concepts like catastrophic thinking, depressive realism, and an attributional style that emphasizes internal, stable, and global causes for negative events are central to cognitive theories of depression.

Question 19

Helen receives one deficiency out of 50 items on her job evaluation; she begins to worry about whether she is about to be fired and whether anyone would hire her if she did get fired. Aaron Beck referred to this as:

Accepted Answer

Aaron Beck referred to this pattern of thinking, where an individual exaggerates the implications of a setback or negative event, as catastrophic thinking. It involves assuming the worst possible outcome from a situation, which is what Helen is doing by worrying about being fired and not being rehired based on one deficiency in her job evaluation.

Question 20

In the attributional view of depression, individuals regularly explain negative events as occurring due to:

Accepted Answer

The attributional (or explanatory) style theory of depression suggests that individuals who habitually explain negative events as due to internal (their own fault), stable (unlikely to change), and global (affecting many areas of life) causes are more likely to suffer from depression. This perspective is based on the work of psychologists such as Martin Seligman, who studied learned helplessness and its connection to depression.

Quiz 14: Psychological Disorders