Question 1

Kelly has just been prescribed a tricyclic antidepressant for her depression.When can she expect to start feeling benefits from the medication?

Accepted Answer

Tricyclic antidepressants typically take two to eight weeks to start showing benefits, as it takes time for the medication to build up in the body and have an effect on neurotransmitters. It is important for Kelly to continue taking the medication as prescribed and to follow up regularly with her healthcare provider to monitor her response to the medication.

Question 2

Ambrose has just been prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).Which of the following medications may have been prescribed to Ambrose?

Accepted Answer

Prozac is a commonly prescribed SSRI for depression and anxiety disorders. Hypericum is an herbal supplement also known as St. John's wort, but it is not a prescription medication like SSRIs. Thorazine and Valium are not SSRIs, they belong to different classes of medications.

Question 3

Mike has bipolar I disorder.Which of the following medications has most likely been prescribed for him?

Accepted Answer

Lithium is a common medication used to treat bipolar I disorder by stabilizing mood swings. Anticonvulsants such as Depakote may also be prescribed to reduce manic symptoms. Prozac is an antidepressant and would not be the first choice for treating bipolar disorder. St. John's Wort is an herbal supplement that has not been proven to be effective in treating bipolar disorder.

Question 4

According to several studies,which of the following has been found to show a strong association with depression in women?

Accepted Answer

Studies have found that women who have a history of childhood sexual abuse are at a higher risk for developing depression later in life. The other options (A, C, and D) have not been found to have a strong association with depression in women in the same way childhood sexual abuse has.

Question 5

Reports in the 1990s suggested that the use of Prozac might lead to suicidal preoccupations,paranoid reactions,and occasionally,violence.According to your textbook,what do more recent findings suggest?

Accepted Answer

More recent findings suggest that the risks of suicide with Prozac are no greater than with any other antidepressant. While earlier reports suggested a link between Prozac and suicidal thoughts or violent behavior, more recent studies have found no evidence to support this claim. In fact, Prozac may even be associated with a lower risk of suicide compared to other antidepressants. Nevertheless, all antidepressants carry some risk of suicidal ideation and should be used with caution in individuals at high risk for suicide.

Question 6

How are MAO inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants similar?

Accepted Answer

Both MAO inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants prevent the breakdown of neurotransmitters, leading to a pooling effect at the synapse, which increases the availability of neurotransmitters for binding to receptors. This ultimately increases the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain and can improve mood.

Question 7

A student who has been doing very well in class receives a minor critical comment on an essay she wrote.The student thinks,"This is terrible.I'm probably going to fail the course." What is this type of cognitive error in thinking?

Accepted Answer

This is an example of overgeneralization, where the student is taking one critical comment and applying it to their entire performance in the course.

Question 8

Angela belongs to an online support group for mothers with postpartum depression.Recently,ten mothers in the group have had their second child.How many of the mothers are likely to experience postpartum depression following these new births?

Accepted Answer

According to research, the risk of experiencing postpartum depression increases with each subsequent birth. Therefore, it is likely that a significant number of the ten mothers who had their second child will experience postpartum depression. While it is impossible to accurately predict how many will be affected, choosing C as the best answer reflects the increased risk associated with having a second child.

Question 9

Which of the following is a side effect of tricyclic antidepressants?

Accepted Answer

Sexual dysfunction is a common side effect of tricyclic antidepressants, which can include decreased libido, difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection, and delayed or absent orgasm. Insomnia is also a potential side effect, but not as common as sexual dysfunction. Excessive urination and weight loss are not typically associated with tricyclic antidepressants.

Question 10

According to recent research on the development of depression,what type of vulnerability to depression do dysfunctional attitudes (a negative outlook)and hopelessness attributions (explaining things negatively)constitute?

Accepted Answer

Dysfunctional attitudes and hopelessness attributions both refer to negative thought patterns and cognitive biases that can increase the risk of developing depression. Therefore, they are considered to be part of cognitive vulnerability which refers to a person's propensity to engage in negative thinking patterns.

Question 11

Why does the Canadian National Population Health Survey suggest that men and women have different rates of depression?

Accepted Answer

The National Population Health Survey suggests that men and women have different rates of depression because different types of work demands predict depression in women versus men. This means that work-related factors contribute differently to depression in men and women, leading to varying rates of depression for both genders.

Question 12

Consider Aaron Beck's depressive cognitive triad.Which of the following is NOT one of the factors that individuals think negatively about?

Accepted Answer

Aaron Beck's depressive cognitive triad involves negative thoughts about the self, the world, and the future. The past is not one of the factors in this triad.

Question 13

Hannah and Greg are the same age and were both laid off from their jobs recently.What can you predict about the likelihood of each of them developing depression?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Hannah and Greg are the same age...

Question 14

If Sarah has a low level of serotonin in her system,will she show symptoms of depression?

Accepted Answer

The answer of If Sarah has a low level of...

Question 15

Which herbal treatment has recently gained considerable interest as a treatment for depression?

Accepted Answer

St. John's wort (hypericum) has gained considerable interest as a treatment for depression. Numerous studies have shown its effectiveness in improving symptoms of depression, although its mechanism of action is not fully understood.

Question 16

Which class of drugs includes the antidepressant medications known as imipramine (Tofranil)and amitriptyline (Elavil)?

Accepted Answer

Imipramine (Tofranil) and amitriptyline (Elavil) are both tricyclic antidepressants.

Question 17

Why is the antidepressant medication lithium also referred to as a mood stabilizer?

Accepted Answer

Lithium is referred to as a mood stabilizer because it helps to prevent manic episodes in individuals with bipolar disorder. It does not directly affect dopamine, norepinephrine, thyroid functioning, or serotonin levels in the brain, although it may indirectly affect these neurotransmitters through its effects on mood regulation.

Question 18

In their study of individuals who experienced a marital separation or divorce,but who had no previous history of severe depression,what did Bruce and Kim (1992)find?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In their study of individuals who experienced...

Question 19

Which of the following describes what is known regarding drug treatment for depression?

Accepted Answer

Drug treatments for mood disorders are generally effective for adults, but certain drugs can have serious side effects in children, including an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, as well as sudden death. It is important for children and adolescents to be closely monitored when taking medications for depression.

Question 20

Karen had a baby about ten months ago.Ever since,she has had a poor appetite and poor self-esteem,been unable to sleep (even when the baby wasn't waking her),and been unable to concentrate for any length of time.What Karen is most likely experiencing?

Accepted Answer

Karen's symptoms are consistent with postpartum depression, which is a type of depression that can occur after giving birth. The symptoms can include poor appetite, poor self-esteem, insomnia, and difficulty concentrating. It is important for Karen to seek treatment as soon as possible.

Quiz 7: Mood Disorders and Suicide