Question 1

Which characteristic is highly predictive of suicide?

Accepted Answer

Hopelessness is one of the most significant predictors of suicide. People who feel hopeless may believe their situation is impossible to improve, leading them to feel overwhelmed, trapped, and extremely desperate. They may also believe that they are a burden to others and feel like they have no other options. This combination of emotional distress and cognitive distortions can make suicide seem like the only way out. While anger and sadness can also be warning signs, hopelessness is generally considered to be more predictive of suicidal behavior.

Question 2

Which of these individuals has an elevated risk for committing suicide?

Accepted Answer

Police officers have an increased risk for suicide due to exposure to trauma and stress related to their job.

Question 3

Suicide by contagion occurs when:

Accepted Answer

Suicide by contagion, also known as the Werther effect, occurs when a well-known person commits suicide and this results in an increase in suicide in others who are either directly or indirectly exposed to the person's death. It is called the Werther effect after Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's novel "The Sorrows of Young Werther," which depicted the protagonist's suicide and led to copycat suicides in Europe.

Question 4

What is postvention?

Accepted Answer

Postvention refers to intervention and support provided after a suicide has occurred. Counseling for those close to the suicide victim is an example of postvention, as it aims to address the emotional impact and grief experienced by family, friends, and community members in the aftermath of a suicide. Option A refers to suicide prevention, while Option B refers to peer support for those who have experienced mental health challenges themselves. Option D refers to a specific type of treatment, which is not directly related to postvention.

Question 5

What evidence suggests that gender differences in rates of depression cannot be explained wholly in terms of women's greater tendency to seek psychological help when distressed?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What evidence suggests that gender differences in...

Question 6

What are the major classes of drugs used to treat depression?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the major classes of drugs...

Question 7

What is the typical course and procedure for electroconvulsive treatment?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the typical course and procedure...

Question 8

Jack is feeling depressed, therefore, he has a depressive disorder.

Accepted Answer

Just because someone is feeling depressed does not necessarily mean they have a depressive disorder. A depressive disorder is a clinical diagnosis that involves persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities over a prolonged period of time, leading to significant impairment in daily functioning. It should be diagnosed by a licensed healthcare professional after a thorough evaluation.

Question 9

Research indicates that high educational and income levels correlate positively for feelings of depression, sadness, and hopelessness.

Accepted Answer

The statement is false. Research actually indicates the opposite - that higher levels of education and income tend to have a protective effect against depression and depressive symptoms.

Question 10

Medically-related mood disorders are caused by medical illness, prescribed medication, or abuse of substances.

Accepted Answer

Medically-related mood disorders can be caused by various medical illnesses, such as thyroid disorders or neurological disorders. They can also result from the use of certain medications, such as steroids or antiviral drugs. Substance abuse, including alcohol and drugs, can also lead to mood disorders.

Question 11

Major depressive disorder is regarded as the second leading cause of disability.

Accepted Answer

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), major depressive disorder is indeed the second leading cause of disability worldwide.

Question 12

A simple screening approach by a government task force found that between 25 and 40% of patients giving positive answers had treatable major depression.

Accepted Answer

The statement indicates that a significant percentage of patients with positive answers had treatable major depression, which is true.

Question 13

There is a strong relationship between the percent of shared genes between two people and the likelihood that if one of them is diagnosed with a mood disorder, the biological relative will be diagnosed with the same disorder.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Research has shown that the likelihood of a biological relative being diagnosed with the same mood disorder increases as the percent of shared genes between the two individuals increases. For example, siblings have a higher likelihood of sharing genetic factors for mood disorders than cousins, and therefore are more likely to both be diagnosed with the same disorder if one is diagnosed.

Question 14

Family research has shown that if a person experiences the first major depressive episode at a young age, the more likely relatives will experience periods of depression.

Accepted Answer

This is a well-established finding in family research on depression. A family history of depression, and especially early-onset depression, is a significant risk factor for developing depression oneself.

Question 15

Being "male" is one of the greatest risk factors of depression.

Accepted Answer

Being male is not considered one of the greatest risk factors for depression; in fact, women are statistically more likely to be diagnosed with depression than men.

Question 16

The correlation between life events that are stressful and the onset of major depression will decrease as the number of past depressive episodes increases.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true as per research studies. It is known as the "kindling hypothesis" which suggests that the brain becomes progressively more vulnerable to depression with each successive episode, making it less dependent on external events like stressful life events.

Question 17

A major protector from depression is social support.

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that social support, whether it be from friends, family, or a support group, can significantly protect against depression. Having a strong social network can provide a sense of belonging, purpose, and positive reinforcement, all of which can help individuals maintain their mental health.

Question 18

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is an alternative form of brain stimulation used for recovery from mood disorders.

Accepted Answer

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive form of brain stimulation that has been approved by the FDA for treating depression that has not responded to medication. It is also being researched for its potential in treating other mood disorders such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Quiz 11: Mood Disorders and Suicide