RASMUSSEN MENTAL HEALTH FINAL PAPER
EXAMPREP COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS VIEW AHEAD STUDY SHEET
◉ DEPRESSION
Define Common Symptoms. Answer: Mood of sadness
Negative
Pessimistic Thinking
Emotional sensitivity
Insomnia
Suicidal Ideation
Excessive guilt
◉ DEPRESSION
Becks Triad. Answer: Three automatic negative thoughts that are
responsible for the development of depression:
1. A negative, self-deprecating view of self: "I really never do
anything well; everyone else seems smarter."
,2. A pessimistic view of the world: "Once you're down, you can't get
up. Look around, poverty, homelessness, sickness, war, and despair
are every place you look."
3. The belief that negative reinforcement (or no validation for the self)
will continue: "It doesn't matter what you do; nothing ever gets better.
I'll be in this stupid job the rest of my life."
The phrase automatic negative thoughts refers to thoughts that are
repetitive, unintended, and not readily controllable. This cognitive
triad seems to be consistent in all types of depression, regardless of
clinical subtype.
◉ DEPRESSION
Risk for Suicide
(High vs Low). Answer: "You have said you are depressed. Tell me
what that is like for you."
• "When you feel depressed, what thoughts go through your mind?"
• "Have you ever thought about taking your own life in the past?
Now? Do you have a plan? Do you have the means to carry out your
plan? Is there anything that would prevent you from carrying out your
plan?"
High:
A patient that HAS a plan AND a weapon
, Older, single, lonely individuals with multiple health problems are
more likely to commit suicide than individuals with a great family
support system and always in the midst of people.
Males are more commonly committing suicide than females.
◉ DEPRESSION. Answer: 1. Help the patient question underlying
assumptions and beliefs and consider alternate explanations to
problems.
2. Work with the patient to identify cognitive distortions that
encourage negative self-appraisal. For example:
a. Overgeneralizations
b. Self-blame
c. Mind reading
d. Discounting of positive attributes
3. Encourage activities that can raise self-esteem. Identify need for
a. problem-solving skills
b. coping skills
c. assertiveness skills.
4. Discuss physical activities the patient enjoys (e.g., running,
weightlifting). Explain that initially 10 to 15 minutes a day 3 or 4
times a week has short-term benefits.
EXAMPREP COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS VIEW AHEAD STUDY SHEET
◉ DEPRESSION
Define Common Symptoms. Answer: Mood of sadness
Negative
Pessimistic Thinking
Emotional sensitivity
Insomnia
Suicidal Ideation
Excessive guilt
◉ DEPRESSION
Becks Triad. Answer: Three automatic negative thoughts that are
responsible for the development of depression:
1. A negative, self-deprecating view of self: "I really never do
anything well; everyone else seems smarter."
,2. A pessimistic view of the world: "Once you're down, you can't get
up. Look around, poverty, homelessness, sickness, war, and despair
are every place you look."
3. The belief that negative reinforcement (or no validation for the self)
will continue: "It doesn't matter what you do; nothing ever gets better.
I'll be in this stupid job the rest of my life."
The phrase automatic negative thoughts refers to thoughts that are
repetitive, unintended, and not readily controllable. This cognitive
triad seems to be consistent in all types of depression, regardless of
clinical subtype.
◉ DEPRESSION
Risk for Suicide
(High vs Low). Answer: "You have said you are depressed. Tell me
what that is like for you."
• "When you feel depressed, what thoughts go through your mind?"
• "Have you ever thought about taking your own life in the past?
Now? Do you have a plan? Do you have the means to carry out your
plan? Is there anything that would prevent you from carrying out your
plan?"
High:
A patient that HAS a plan AND a weapon
, Older, single, lonely individuals with multiple health problems are
more likely to commit suicide than individuals with a great family
support system and always in the midst of people.
Males are more commonly committing suicide than females.
◉ DEPRESSION. Answer: 1. Help the patient question underlying
assumptions and beliefs and consider alternate explanations to
problems.
2. Work with the patient to identify cognitive distortions that
encourage negative self-appraisal. For example:
a. Overgeneralizations
b. Self-blame
c. Mind reading
d. Discounting of positive attributes
3. Encourage activities that can raise self-esteem. Identify need for
a. problem-solving skills
b. coping skills
c. assertiveness skills.
4. Discuss physical activities the patient enjoys (e.g., running,
weightlifting). Explain that initially 10 to 15 minutes a day 3 or 4
times a week has short-term benefits.
