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NU664C FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE: KEY MENTAL HEALTH
CONCEPTS | WITH COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 2025/206
LATEST UPDATED | 100 % RATED AND VERIFIED SOLUTIONS | GET
AN A+
What are the subtypes of Depressive Disorders to know? - (ANSWER)Persistent (Dysthymia),
Melancholic, Atypical, Psychotic, Postpartum, Childhood Depression.
What characterizes Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)? - (ANSWER)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? -
(ANSWER)Symptoms are less severe than major depression but longer-lasting.
What is a common treatment for Persistent Depressive Disorder? - (ANSWER)SSRIs and
cognitive-behavioral therapy.
What are the key features of Melancholic Depression? - (ANSWER)Profound loss of pleasure
(anhedonia), lack of mood reactivity, early morning awakening, weight loss, and psychomotor
changes.
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Who is more likely to experience Melancholic Depression? - (ANSWER)Common in older
adults and hospitalized patients.
What treatments are effective for Melancholic Depression? - (ANSWER)Medications and
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
What distinguishes Atypical Depression from other types? - (ANSWER)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? - (ANSWER)Younger
individuals and those with bipolar disorder.
What is the treatment for Atypical Depression? - (ANSWER)SSRIs or MAOIs.
What defines Psychotic Depression? - (ANSWER)Severe depression with delusions or
hallucinations, which can be mood-congruent or mood-incongruent.
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What is the treatment approach for Psychotic Depression? - (ANSWER)Combined treatment
with antidepressants and antipsychotics or ECT.
What is Postpartum Depression and when does it onset? - (ANSWER)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'? - (ANSWER)It is more intense and
long-lasting than 'baby blues'.
What are the symptoms of Childhood Depression? - (ANSWER)Irritability, academic decline,
withdrawal from peers, somatic complaints, and low self-esteem.
What are common risk factors for Childhood Depression? - (ANSWER)Family history and
environmental stressors.
What neurobiological factors are involved in depression? - (ANSWER)Dysregulation of
serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine; structural brain changes include decreased
hippocampal volume and hypoactivity in the prefrontal cortex.
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What genetic factor is associated with depression? - (ANSWER)The serotonin transporter gene
(5-HTTLPR).
What are the side effects of SSRIs? - (ANSWER)GI upset, sexual dysfunction, insomnia.
What distinguishes SNRIs from SSRIs? - (ANSWER)SNRIs inhibit serotonin and
norepinephrine reuptake and may cause hypertension.
What are examples of atypical antidepressants? - (ANSWER)Bupropion (activating, seizure
risk) and mirtazapine (sedating, weight gain).
What treatments are considered for Treatment-Resistant Depression? -
(ANSWER)Augmentation with lithium, atypical antipsychotics, or T3; also consider TMS or
ECT.
What is ECT and when is it effective? - (ANSWER)Effective in severe or treatment-resistant
depression, catatonia, or suicidal ideation; may increase monoamine availability and
neuroplasticity.
NU664C FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE: KEY MENTAL HEALTH
CONCEPTS | WITH COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 2025/206
LATEST UPDATED | 100 % RATED AND VERIFIED SOLUTIONS | GET
AN A+
What are the subtypes of Depressive Disorders to know? - (ANSWER)Persistent (Dysthymia),
Melancholic, Atypical, Psychotic, Postpartum, Childhood Depression.
What characterizes Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)? - (ANSWER)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? -
(ANSWER)Symptoms are less severe than major depression but longer-lasting.
What is a common treatment for Persistent Depressive Disorder? - (ANSWER)SSRIs and
cognitive-behavioral therapy.
What are the key features of Melancholic Depression? - (ANSWER)Profound loss of pleasure
(anhedonia), lack of mood reactivity, early morning awakening, weight loss, and psychomotor
changes.
,2|Page
Who is more likely to experience Melancholic Depression? - (ANSWER)Common in older
adults and hospitalized patients.
What treatments are effective for Melancholic Depression? - (ANSWER)Medications and
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
What distinguishes Atypical Depression from other types? - (ANSWER)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? - (ANSWER)Younger
individuals and those with bipolar disorder.
What is the treatment for Atypical Depression? - (ANSWER)SSRIs or MAOIs.
What defines Psychotic Depression? - (ANSWER)Severe depression with delusions or
hallucinations, which can be mood-congruent or mood-incongruent.
,3|Page
What is the treatment approach for Psychotic Depression? - (ANSWER)Combined treatment
with antidepressants and antipsychotics or ECT.
What is Postpartum Depression and when does it onset? - (ANSWER)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'? - (ANSWER)It is more intense and
long-lasting than 'baby blues'.
What are the symptoms of Childhood Depression? - (ANSWER)Irritability, academic decline,
withdrawal from peers, somatic complaints, and low self-esteem.
What are common risk factors for Childhood Depression? - (ANSWER)Family history and
environmental stressors.
What neurobiological factors are involved in depression? - (ANSWER)Dysregulation of
serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine; structural brain changes include decreased
hippocampal volume and hypoactivity in the prefrontal cortex.
, 4|Page
What genetic factor is associated with depression? - (ANSWER)The serotonin transporter gene
(5-HTTLPR).
What are the side effects of SSRIs? - (ANSWER)GI upset, sexual dysfunction, insomnia.
What distinguishes SNRIs from SSRIs? - (ANSWER)SNRIs inhibit serotonin and
norepinephrine reuptake and may cause hypertension.
What are examples of atypical antidepressants? - (ANSWER)Bupropion (activating, seizure
risk) and mirtazapine (sedating, weight gain).
What treatments are considered for Treatment-Resistant Depression? -
(ANSWER)Augmentation with lithium, atypical antipsychotics, or T3; also consider TMS or
ECT.
What is ECT and when is it effective? - (ANSWER)Effective in severe or treatment-resistant
depression, catatonia, or suicidal ideation; may increase monoamine availability and
neuroplasticity.
