Question 1

All antidepressant drugs are known to have effects on which of the following?​

Accepted Answer

Antidepressant drugs are known to affect the availability of certain neurotransmitters at synapses, such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. This is how they are thought to alleviate symptoms of depression.

The other choices are not relevant to the mechanism of action of antidepressant drugs. Production of red blood cells is regulated by hormones such as erythropoietin and does not directly relate to depression treatment. Velocity of action potentials in the cerebral cortex relates more to neurological disorders such as epilepsy rather than depression. Ability of glucose and other nutrients to reach the brain is important for brain function, but it is not an area of focus in depression treatment.

Question 2

​Which of these is an example of a pessimistic explanatory style?

Accepted Answer

The choice "I lost the game because I am a lousy athlete" is an example of a pessimistic explanatory style as it attributes the cause of the loss to an internal, stable, and global personality trait, which is likely to lead to feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.

Question 3

The effects of antidepressant medications include which of the following?​

Accepted Answer

Antidepressant medications work to increase the availability of certain neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine by prolonging their effects in the brain. This often leads to an improvement in mood and a reduction in symptoms of depression. However, these medications do not increase the velocity of action potentials in the brain, and they do not directly stimulate dopamine synapses in the nucleus accumbens. Additionally, while some antidepressants may have an effect on the heart, it is not a primary mechanism of action for these medications.

Question 4

​How does a highly stressful experience increase the risk of depression?

Accepted Answer

Highly stressful experiences can lead to an increase in the release of chemicals called cytokines, which are associated with inflammation. Inflammation has been linked to depression, as it can affect neurotransmitter systems in the brain and contribute to the development of depressive symptoms. A and B are not accurate explanations for how stress can increase the risk of depression. Option D can be a consequence of stress and may contribute to the risk of depression, but it is not the primary mechanism by which stress increases depression risk.

Question 5

After someone has had many episodes of depression,what changes?​

Accepted Answer

With repeated episodes of depression, the brain becomes more sensitized to stressors, making new episodes start more easily and with less provocation.

Question 6

Why do many researchers doubt that antidepressant drugs produce all their benefits by facilitating transmission at serotonin and dopamine synapses?​

Accepted Answer

The primary reason researchers doubt that antidepressant drugs produce all their benefits solely through facilitating transmission at serotonin and dopamine synapses is that the observable effects on synapses occur more rapidly than the improvements in behavior. It typically takes weeks for patients to report mood improvements, despite the drugs acting on neurotransmitter systems much sooner.

Question 7

Which of the following increases the production of new neurons in the hippocampus of the brain?​

Accepted Answer

Antidepressant drugs, specifically selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), have been shown to increase the production of new neurons in the hippocampus of the brain. This process is known as neurogenesis and is important for learning, memory, and mood regulation.

Question 8

What appears to be true about the genes that predispose someone to depression?​

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that the same genetic factors that predispose individuals to depression can also increase the risk of other psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.

Answer: B 
 While there is no definitive evidence linking depression genes to high intelligence, some studies have suggested a possible link between certain genes and traits such as creativity and intelligence.

Answer: C 
 There is no evidence to suggest that depression genes are located mostly on the X chromosome. In fact, the genetic basis of depression is complex and involves multiple genes located on different chromosomes.

Answer: D 
 While genetic factors can play a role in the development of depression, they do not act by altering the speed of action potentials. Rather, they can influence the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin and dopamine, which are known to be involved in mood regulation.

Question 9

Which of these is one of the effects of tricyclic antidepressant drugs?​

Accepted Answer

Tricyclic antidepressants block the reuptake of several neurotransmitters by the presynaptic neuron, including norepinephrine and serotonin. This leads to an increase in the availability of these neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft, which can ultimately improve mood and alleviate symptoms of depression.

Question 10

What can someone expect after developing major depression,in most cases?​

Accepted Answer

In most cases, individuals who develop major depression can expect to recover after a few months, sometimes with the help of therapy and/or medication. However, there is a possibility of later episodes or recurring episodes of depression.

Question 11

Seasonal affective disorder occurs most often in which countries?​

Accepted Answer

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that is related to changes in seasons, with the most common symptoms occurring in the fall and winter months. SAD is more common at higher latitudes, where there are fewer daylight hours during the winter. Therefore, countries closer to the poles (such as Canada, Alaska, Scandinavia, and Russia) have higher rates of SAD than countries close to the equator.

Question 12

What is the most effective treatment for seasonal affective disorder?​

Accepted Answer

The most effective treatment for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is exposure to bright light. Light therapy has been shown to be effective in improving mood and reducing symptoms of depression in people with SAD by regulating circadian rhythms and increasing serotonin levels. Psychoanalysis and Prozac may be helpful for some individuals with SAD, but they are not the most effective treatments. There is no evidence to support the use of a gluten-free diet for treating SAD.

Question 13

On average,what is special about a first episode of depression,compared to later episodes?​

Accepted Answer

The first episode of depression is more commonly linked to an intense precipitating event such as a loss or a significant life change, whereas later episodes may have no such clear triggering event.

Question 14

In addition to effects on synapses,what else do antidepressant drugs do?​

Accepted Answer

Antidepressant drugs have been shown to increase production of new neurons, a process called neurogenesis, in certain regions of the brain such as the hippocampus, which is important for learning and memory.

Question 15

If someone has major depression,what is probably true about the relatives who do NOT have depression?​

Accepted Answer

Many relatives of individuals with major depression may have other disorders, including substance abuse, asthma, and arthritis, indicating a potential genetic or environmental predisposition to various health conditions within families affected by major depression.

Question 16

What do depression,asthma,and arthritis have in common?​

Accepted Answer

Inflammation from the immune system has been linked to depression, asthma, and arthritis. Inflammation can lead to structural changes and damage to various organs and tissues, causing or exacerbating these conditions.

Question 17

What is the usual delay between starting to take antidepressant drugs and starting to feel benefits?​

Accepted Answer

It usually takes several weeks (around 4-6 weeks) for antidepressant medications to take effect and for individuals to start feeling the benefits of the drugs. This delay is due to the way antidepressants work to alter levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, which takes time to achieve a therapeutic effect. It is essential that individuals continue taking the medication as directed by their healthcare provider, even if they do not immediately see positive changes.

Question 18

What is a possible explanation for why people with depression and their relatives tend to have asthma,arthritis,and a variety of other physical disorders?​

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that inflammation produced by the immune system is a possible explanation for the high comorbidity between depression and various physical disorders such as asthma, arthritis, and cardiovascular disease. The connection between the two may be due to the fact that depression and stress activate the immune system, causing chronic, low-grade inflammation that increases the risk of physical illnesses.

Question 19

What is the current consensus about the role of genetics in depression?​

Accepted Answer

While there is no one specific gene that has a major effect on depression, evidence suggests that multiple genes contribute to an individual's risk for developing depression. Genetics is estimated to account for 40-50% of the risk of developing depression, with environmental factors making up the other portion. Therefore, it is likely that a combination of genes and life experiences can influence an individual's risk for depression. There are ongoing studies to identify specific genetic vulnerabilities and their interactions with environmental risk factors for depression.

Question 20

Which disorder is most often treated with a few hours of bright lights per day?​

Accepted Answer

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that occurs during the fall and winter months, likely due to the lack of sunlight. Treatment for SAD often involves light therapy, which involves exposure to bright lights for a few hours per day, typically in the morning.

Quiz 15: Part 1 Abnormal Psychology: Disorders and Treatmentabnormal Psychology: Disorders and Treatment

All antidepressant drugs are known to have effects on which of the following?​

​Which of these is an example of a pessimistic explanatory style?

The effects of antidepressant medications include which of the following?​

​How does a highly stressful experience increase the risk of depression?

After someone has had many episodes of depression,what changes?​

Why do many researchers doubt that antidepressant drugs produce all their benefits by facilitating transmission at serotonin and dopamine synapses?​

Which of the following increases the production of new neurons in the hippocampus of the brain?​

What appears to be true about the genes that predispose someone to depression?​

Which of these is one of the effects of tricyclic antidepressant drugs?​

What can someone expect after developing major depression,in most cases?​

Seasonal affective disorder occurs most often in which countries?​

What is the most effective treatment for seasonal affective disorder?​

On average,what is special about a first episode of depression,compared to later episodes?​

In addition to effects on synapses,what else do antidepressant drugs do?​

If someone has major depression,what is probably true about the relatives who do NOT have depression?​

What do depression,asthma,and arthritis have in common?​

What is the usual delay between starting to take antidepressant drugs and starting to feel benefits?​

What is a possible explanation for why people with depression and their relatives tend to have asthma,arthritis,and a variety of other physical disorders?​

What is the current consensus about the role of genetics in depression?​

Which disorder is most often treated with a few hours of bright lights per day?​

All antidepressant drugs are known to have effects on which of the following?

Which of these is an example of a pessimistic explanatory style?

The effects of antidepressant medications include which of the following?

How does a highly stressful experience increase the risk of depression?

After someone has had many episodes of depression,what changes?

Why do many researchers doubt that antidepressant drugs produce all their benefits by facilitating transmission at serotonin and dopamine synapses?

Which of the following increases the production of new neurons in the hippocampus of the brain?

What appears to be true about the genes that predispose someone to depression?

Which of these is one of the effects of tricyclic antidepressant drugs?

What can someone expect after developing major depression,in most cases?

Seasonal affective disorder occurs most often in which countries?

What is the most effective treatment for seasonal affective disorder?

On average,what is special about a first episode of depression,compared to later episodes?

In addition to effects on synapses,what else do antidepressant drugs do?

If someone has major depression,what is probably true about the relatives who do NOT have depression?

What do depression,asthma,and arthritis have in common?

What is the usual delay between starting to take antidepressant drugs and starting to feel benefits?

What is a possible explanation for why people with depression and their relatives tend to have asthma,arthritis,and a variety of other physical disorders?

What is the current consensus about the role of genetics in depression?

Which disorder is most often treated with a few hours of bright lights per day?