Question 1

White Americans are:

Accepted Answer

White Americans are more likely than African Americans to be prescribed antidepressant medication but may be less likely to respond to the medication. This is because White Americans are more likely to have access to healthcare and may be more likely to seek treatment for depression. However, African Americans may be less likely to respond to antidepressant medication due to genetic and cultural factors.

Question 2

To effectively reduce the chances of relapse of depressive symptoms, patients should:

Accepted Answer

Continuing to take tricyclics after being symptom-free helps maintain the therapeutic effect and reduces the risk of relapse.

Question 3

Second-generation antidepressants:

Accepted Answer

Second-generation antidepressants target specific neurotransmission reuptake (such as serotonin or norepinephrine) rather than inhibiting monoamine oxidase (MAO) or affecting multiple neurotransmitters like tricyclic antidepressants. This increases their efficacy and reduces side effects compared to first-generation antidepressants. The impact on sexual function varies among different second-generation antidepressants. They have been widely prescribed since their introduction in the 1980s.

Question 4

Therapists who treat African American clients for depression need to be aware that their clients are:

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that African Americans are less likely to receive newer second-generation antidepressant drugs and are also less likely to have access to mental health care in general. This disparity in treatment can lead to undertreatment or ineffective treatment for African American clients with depression. Therapists need to be aware of this and work to provide the best possible care for their clients.

Question 5

"Second-generation" antidepressant medications include:

Accepted Answer

"Second-generation" antidepressants are typically referred to as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and include medications like Cymbalta and Prozac. They are considered an improvement over "first-generation" antidepressants like imipramine and Elavil due to their more targeted effects and lower risk of side effects. Selegiline and Nardil are actually "first-generation" antidepressants (specifically, monoamine oxidase inhibitors), and Anafranil and Eldepryl are not commonly categorized as "second-generation" antidepressants.

Question 6

Second-generation antidepressants appear to act by:

Accepted Answer

Second-generation antidepressants, also known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), selectively block the reuptake of serotonin, which leads to an increase in serotonin levels in the brain. This increase in serotonin can alleviate symptoms of depression.

Question 7

Among the biological treatments for depression, the one that uses an implanted pulse generator is:

Accepted Answer

Vagus nerve stimulation involves the use of an implanted device (pulse generator) that sends electrical signals to the vagus nerve in the neck, which is then transmitted to the brain. This method is used to treat depression that has not responded to other treatments.

Question 8

Which best represents how tricyclics work?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which best represents how tricyclics work?
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Question 9

Compared to earlier antidepressant drugs, "second-generation" antidepressant drugs:

Accepted Answer

Second-generation antidepressants, such as SSRIs, generally do not work faster or more effectively than earlier antidepressants; they primarily offer a better side effect profile.

Question 10

In which of the treatments for depression is a stimulating current sent through a patient's prefrontal cortex?

Accepted Answer

TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) is the treatment for depression in which a stimulating current is sent through a patient's prefrontal cortex. DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation) involves the implantation of electrodes in the brain, but this is not typically used as a treatment for depression. Therefore, the correct choice is A) TMS.

Question 11

_____ is a treatment in which tiny holes are drilled into the skull through which electrodes are implanted into the brain.

Accepted Answer

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) involves drilling tiny holes into the skull and implanting electrodes into specific parts of the brain to stimulate or inhibit activity in those regions. DBS is used to treat movement disorders like Parkinson's disease, as well as some psychiatric disorders.

Question 12

If a friend is considering nutraceuticals for the treatment of depression, your BEST advice would be:

Accepted Answer

St. John's wort has been shown to be effective in treating mild to moderate cases of depression, but should not be used for more severe cases. Other nutraceuticals may not have enough scientific evidence to support their use for treating depression. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment for depression.

Question 13

Apparently tricyclics work by:

Accepted Answer

Tricyclics block the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin, increasing their levels in the brain and improving mood.

Question 14

There has been a significant increase in the number of physicians prescribing antidepressants in the past few decades:

Accepted Answer

Despite the success of cognitive therapy, there has been a significant increase in the number of physicians prescribing antidepressants in the past few decades. This suggests that physicians are choosing drug therapy, even though cognitive therapy has proven successful.

Question 15

How likely are Medicaid recipients to be prescribed antidepressant medication?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How likely are Medicaid recipients to be...

Question 16

A clinician says at a workshop, "I prefer the most recently developed antidepressant medications, because they're harder to overdose on and they don't require dietary restrictions." This statement is:

Accepted Answer

The statement is accurate because newer antidepressants, like SSRIs and SNRIs, are generally safer in overdose and do not require dietary restrictions, unlike older MAOIs.

Question 17

A person taking antidepressant medication is starting to gain weight, and reports decreasing interest in sexual activity. These changes are MOST common among people taking what kind of antidepressant medication?

Accepted Answer

Second-generation antidepressants, also known as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are most commonly associated with weight gain and decreased interest in sexual activity as side effects. MAO inhibitors and tricyclics may also have these side effects but are less commonly prescribed due to their potential for dangerous interactions or overdoses. Vagus nerve stimulators are a newer form of treatment for depression and are not associated with these side effects.

Question 18

A person who is recovering from depression continues to take tricyclic medication for several months after most symptoms are gone. This is called:

Accepted Answer

Maintenance therapy is often necessary to prevent symptoms from reappearing in people who have recovered from depression. Tricyclic medication is a type of antidepressant that works by increasing the level of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Continuing to take this medication for several months after symptoms are gone can help to prevent the reoccurrence of depression. Placebo therapy is not a real treatment and would not be effective in preventing the reoccurrence of depression.

Question 19

Vagus nerve stimulation is MOST similar to:

Accepted Answer

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) both involve the use of electrical currents to regulate brain activity. However, VNS is a less invasive and less intensive treatment than ECT. Taking an SSRI, MAO inhibitor, or tricyclic would involve the use of medication rather than electrical stimulation.

Question 20

Studies show that individuals with severe depression who have not benefited from more conventional treatments are about how likely to improve from using vagus nerve stimulation?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Studies show that individuals with severe depression...

Quiz 8: Treatments for Depressive and Bipolar Disorders