Question 1

The finding that people with one type of serotonin transporter gene and childhood maltreatment had higher rates of depression than either those without the gene or those with the gene without the maltreatment suggests that ________

Accepted Answer

The finding supports the diathesis-stress model, which suggests that genetic vulnerability (diathesis) interacts with environmental stressors (such as childhood maltreatment) to increase the risk of depression. Therefore, the presence of the gene alone is not sufficient to cause depression, but rather interacts with environmental factors.

Question 2

A recurrent depressive episode _________

Accepted Answer

A recurrent depressive episode is defined as a major depressive episode that occurs after at least two previous major depressive episodes have occurred and the individual has experienced at least eight consecutive weeks without any significant symptoms. Therefore, it is preceded by one or more previous episodes.

Question 3

Deena has major depressive disorder. Most days she feels very sad, but when her sister came and told Deena she was going to be an aunt, Deena felt happy for a little while. She has been gaining weight and sleeping much of the day. Deena most likely has _________

Accepted Answer

The fact that Deena feels brief periods of happiness in response to positive events and has experienced weight gain and excessive sleeping are both indicative of atypical features in major depressive disorder.

Question 4

Drugs that alter the availability of norepinephrine and serotonin are not clinically effective in the treatment of depression for several weeks. Which of the following does this finding suggest?

Accepted Answer

The delay in clinical effectiveness of drugs that alter norepinephrine and serotonin availability suggests that the underlying mechanism of depression involves changes in neurotransmitter function rather than simply changes in neurotransmitter levels. This is because immediate changes in levels do not result in immediate mood improvements, indicating a more complex process of adaptation or functional change within the brain's neurotransmitter systems.

Question 5

Which of the following is most likely to be seen in children who are at risk for depression?

Accepted Answer

Decreased left hemisphere activity is associated with depression. The left hemisphere is often linked to positive emotions and reward, and decreased activity in this area can be a marker for depression.

Question 6

Kerry suffers from depression. He is experiencing delusions that his brain is deteriorating and that he is aging quickly. These delusions _________

Accepted Answer

Kerry's delusions are consistent with depressive delusions because they are congruent with his depressed mood. Option A is incorrect because Kerry's symptoms are not suggestive of schizophrenia. Option C is also incorrect because there is no indication that Kerry is experiencing manic symptoms. Option D is incorrect because depressive delusions typically dissipate with treatment of the depression.

Question 7

Which of the following is a true statement about the recurrence of depressive symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that almost half of individuals with major depression will experience a recurrence of symptoms. Option A is not correct, as a one-year symptom-free period does not rule out the possibility of recurrence. Option C is also not correct, as depression with psychotic features appears to increase the risk of recurrence. Option D is not correct because individuals may experience residual symptoms between episodes.

Question 8

Over the past two years, Kelly has experienced depressive episodes three different times. Two of the three episodes occurred in the winter and the third occurred last fall. It is now winter and Kelly's depressive symptoms once again are consistent with major depressive disorder. Which of the following diagnoses should she be given?

Accepted Answer

Kelly meets the criteria for recurrent major depressive disorder, as she has experienced three separate episodes of major depression. The fact that two of the episodes occurred in the winter suggests that she may also meet the seasonal pattern specifier, making the full diagnosis recurrent major depressive disorder with a seasonal pattern. Choices A and B are not applicable as they refer to different types of depressive disorders. Choice C is close to being correct but does not take into account the seasonal pattern specifier.

Question 9

Which of the following is true about the monoamine hypothesis of depression?

Accepted Answer

While alternative theories have been proposed, such as the neurogenic hypothesis and the cytokine hypothesis, the monoamine hypothesis of depression remains widely accepted in the field of psychiatry as a contributing factor to the development of depression. However, it is not the only theory or explanation for depression, and there is ongoing research to better understand the complex causes of this disorder.

Question 10

Which of the following statements is supported by research on the role of genetic influences in unipolar disorder?

Accepted Answer

Research has consistently found that there is a genetic contribution to unipolar depression, with the severity of the disorder being linked to a greater genetic component. Twin studies have consistently shown a higher rate of concordance in monozygotic twins compared to dizygotic twins, supporting a genetic influence. Bipolar and unipolar disorders have different heritabilities, with bipolar disorders having a stronger genetic component.

Question 11

A rapid return of symptoms immediately after drug treatment is terminated is a common example of ________; a return to depressive symptoms after a period of spontaneous remission of symptoms is called a ________.

Accepted Answer

A rapid return of symptoms immediately after drug treatment is terminated is known as relapse while a return to depressive symptoms after a period of spontaneous remission of symptoms is known as recurrence. Melancholia refers to a severe form of depression with characteristic physical symptoms, and mood-congruent depression refers to a type of depression where the depressive symptoms match the individual's current mood or situation, while mood-incongruent depression refers to a type of depression where the depressive symptoms are not consistent with the individual's current mood or situation.

Question 12

Seasonal affective disorder is best described as a ________ depressive disorder.

Accepted Answer

Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that occurs at the same time each year, typically starting in the fall and continuing into the winter months. It is considered a recurrent depressive disorder because it returns at specific times each year.

Question 13

The fact that bright light may be an effective treatment for seasonal affective disorder suggests that ________

Accepted Answer

The use of bright light therapy for seasonal affective disorder suggests that the disorder is related to a malfunctioning biological clock and that this clock needs resetting in order to alleviate symptoms.

Question 14

Sam has been diagnosed with major depressive disorder. He tells you that he is certain the world will end next Tuesday because everyone in it is so wicked. He refuses to consider that he might be wrong. Sam has _________

Accepted Answer

Mood congruent delusions are delusions that are consistent with the person's mood. In this case, Sam's delusions of the world ending are consistent with his depressed mood.

Question 15

Individuals who do not show a decrease in cortisol levels in response to an injection of dexamethasone ________

Accepted Answer

Individuals who do not show a decrease in cortisol levels in response to an injection of dexamethasone have a condition called dexamethasone non-suppression, which suggests that their HPA axis is not functioning normally. This abnormality is associated with various conditions, including depression, but it is not specific to depression and does not necessarily indicate the severity of depression. Furthermore, the non-suppression pattern does not predict pharmacological treatment response or indicate the presence of a personality disorder.

Question 16

Many people who are depressed ________

Accepted Answer

C) People who are depressed often enter REM sleep earlier than normal and have larger amounts of REM sleep early in the night, which is a deviation from the typical sleep pattern observed in individuals without depression.

Question 17

The average duration of an untreated episode of depression is _________

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that the average duration of an untreated episode of major depression is six to nine months.

Question 18

Margaret has been suffering with persistent depressive disorder for several years and has sought treatment on several occasions. About one month ago, she developed more severe symptoms of depression, which have been maintained almost daily. The condition she is experiencing is best described as _________

Accepted Answer

Margaret's condition is best described as double depression, which occurs when a person has persistent depressive disorder as well as major depressive episodes.

Question 19

What is meant by the phrase "double depression"?

Accepted Answer

"Double depression" typically refers to an individual experiencing persistent depressive disorder (previously known as dysthymia) and subsequently developing major depressive disorder. This can result in a longer duration of depressive symptoms and an increased risk of suicidal ideation.

Question 20

Which of the following is a brain area that has been found to exhibit abnormalities in depressed patients?

Accepted Answer

The amygdala is a brain region that has been consistently found to show abnormalities in individuals with depression, often related to emotional processing and regulation.

Quiz 7: Mood Disorders and Suicide