NU664C FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE:
KEY MENTAL HEALTH CONCEPTS.
EXAM 2025/2026 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100% PASS
What are the subtypes of Depressive Disorders to know? - ANS Persistent (Dysthymia),
Melancholic, Atypical, Psychotic, Postpartum, Childhood Depression.
What characterizes Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)? - ANS Chronic, low-grade
depression lasting at least 2 years (or 1 year in children) with symptoms like low self-esteem,
poor concentration, fatigue, and hopelessness.
How do the symptoms of Persistent Depressive Disorder compare to Major Depression? -
ANS Symptoms are less severe than major depression but longer-lasting.
What is a common treatment for Persistent Depressive Disorder? - ANS SSRIs and cognitive-
behavioral therapy.
What are the key features of Melancholic Depression? - ANS Profound loss of pleasure
(anhedonia), lack of mood reactivity, early morning awakening, weight loss, and psychomotor
changes.
Who is more likely to experience Melancholic Depression? - ANS Common in older adults
and hospitalized patients.
pg. 1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
,What treatments are effective for Melancholic Depression? - ANS Medications and
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
What distinguishes Atypical Depression from other types? - ANS Mood can improve in
response to positive events, with features like increased appetite, weight gain, excessive sleep,
and heavy limbs.
What demographic is more commonly affected by Atypical Depression? - ANS Younger
individuals and those with bipolar disorder.
What is the treatment for Atypical Depression? - ANS SSRIs or MAOIs.
What defines Psychotic Depression? - ANS Severe depression with delusions or
hallucinations, which can be mood-congruent or mood-incongruent.
What is the treatment approach for Psychotic Depression? - ANS Combined treatment with
antidepressants and antipsychotics or ECT.
What is Postpartum Depression and when does it onset? - ANS Onset during pregnancy or
within four weeks after delivery, characterized by sadness, anxiety, irritability, and difficulty
bonding with the baby.
How does Postpartum Depression differ from 'baby blues'? - ANS It is more intense and long-
lasting than 'baby blues'.
What are the symptoms of Childhood Depression? - ANS Irritability, academic decline,
withdrawal from peers, somatic complaints, and low self-esteem.
What are common risk factors for Childhood Depression? - ANS Family history and
environmental stressors.
pg. 2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
, What neurobiological factors are involved in depression? - ANS Dysregulation of serotonin,
norepinephrine, and dopamine; structural brain changes include decreased hippocampal
volume and hypoactivity in the prefrontal cortex.
What genetic factor is associated with depression? - ANS The serotonin transporter gene (5-
HTTLPR).
What are the side effects of SSRIs? - ANS GI upset, sexual dysfunction, insomnia.
What distinguishes SNRIs from SSRIs? - ANS SNRIs inhibit serotonin and norepinephrine
reuptake and may cause hypertension.
What are examples of atypical antidepressants? - ANS Bupropion (activating, seizure risk)
and mirtazapine (sedating, weight gain).
What treatments are considered for Treatment-Resistant Depression? - ANS Augmentation
with lithium, atypical antipsychotics, or T3; also consider TMS or ECT.
What is ECT and when is it effective? - ANS Effective in severe or treatment-resistant
depression, catatonia, or suicidal ideation; may increase monoamine availability and
neuroplasticity.
What are the key differences between Bipolar Depression and Major Depressive Disorder
(MDD)? - ANS Bipolar depression often presents with hypersomnia, hyperphagia,
psychomotor retardation, and a family history of bipolar disorder; antidepressant monotherapy
may trigger mania.
How does normal grief differ from Major Depressive Disorder? - ANS Normal grief includes
emotional pain with preserved self-esteem, while MDD includes pervasive anhedonia, guilt,
feelings of worthlessness, and suicidal ideation unrelated to the deceased.
pg. 3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
KEY MENTAL HEALTH CONCEPTS.
EXAM 2025/2026 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100% PASS
What are the subtypes of Depressive Disorders to know? - ANS Persistent (Dysthymia),
Melancholic, Atypical, Psychotic, Postpartum, Childhood Depression.
What characterizes Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)? - ANS Chronic, low-grade
depression lasting at least 2 years (or 1 year in children) with symptoms like low self-esteem,
poor concentration, fatigue, and hopelessness.
How do the symptoms of Persistent Depressive Disorder compare to Major Depression? -
ANS Symptoms are less severe than major depression but longer-lasting.
What is a common treatment for Persistent Depressive Disorder? - ANS SSRIs and cognitive-
behavioral therapy.
What are the key features of Melancholic Depression? - ANS Profound loss of pleasure
(anhedonia), lack of mood reactivity, early morning awakening, weight loss, and psychomotor
changes.
Who is more likely to experience Melancholic Depression? - ANS Common in older adults
and hospitalized patients.
pg. 1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
,What treatments are effective for Melancholic Depression? - ANS Medications and
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
What distinguishes Atypical Depression from other types? - ANS Mood can improve in
response to positive events, with features like increased appetite, weight gain, excessive sleep,
and heavy limbs.
What demographic is more commonly affected by Atypical Depression? - ANS Younger
individuals and those with bipolar disorder.
What is the treatment for Atypical Depression? - ANS SSRIs or MAOIs.
What defines Psychotic Depression? - ANS Severe depression with delusions or
hallucinations, which can be mood-congruent or mood-incongruent.
What is the treatment approach for Psychotic Depression? - ANS Combined treatment with
antidepressants and antipsychotics or ECT.
What is Postpartum Depression and when does it onset? - ANS Onset during pregnancy or
within four weeks after delivery, characterized by sadness, anxiety, irritability, and difficulty
bonding with the baby.
How does Postpartum Depression differ from 'baby blues'? - ANS It is more intense and long-
lasting than 'baby blues'.
What are the symptoms of Childhood Depression? - ANS Irritability, academic decline,
withdrawal from peers, somatic complaints, and low self-esteem.
What are common risk factors for Childhood Depression? - ANS Family history and
environmental stressors.
pg. 2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
, What neurobiological factors are involved in depression? - ANS Dysregulation of serotonin,
norepinephrine, and dopamine; structural brain changes include decreased hippocampal
volume and hypoactivity in the prefrontal cortex.
What genetic factor is associated with depression? - ANS The serotonin transporter gene (5-
HTTLPR).
What are the side effects of SSRIs? - ANS GI upset, sexual dysfunction, insomnia.
What distinguishes SNRIs from SSRIs? - ANS SNRIs inhibit serotonin and norepinephrine
reuptake and may cause hypertension.
What are examples of atypical antidepressants? - ANS Bupropion (activating, seizure risk)
and mirtazapine (sedating, weight gain).
What treatments are considered for Treatment-Resistant Depression? - ANS Augmentation
with lithium, atypical antipsychotics, or T3; also consider TMS or ECT.
What is ECT and when is it effective? - ANS Effective in severe or treatment-resistant
depression, catatonia, or suicidal ideation; may increase monoamine availability and
neuroplasticity.
What are the key differences between Bipolar Depression and Major Depressive Disorder
(MDD)? - ANS Bipolar depression often presents with hypersomnia, hyperphagia,
psychomotor retardation, and a family history of bipolar disorder; antidepressant monotherapy
may trigger mania.
How does normal grief differ from Major Depressive Disorder? - ANS Normal grief includes
emotional pain with preserved self-esteem, while MDD includes pervasive anhedonia, guilt,
feelings of worthlessness, and suicidal ideation unrelated to the deceased.
pg. 3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED
