NU664C Final Exam Study Guide: Key Mental
Health Concepts With Questions And Answers
What are the subtypes of Depressive Disorders to know? - (ANSWERS)Persistent (Dysthymia),
Melancholic, Atypical, Psychotic, Postpartum, Childhood Depression.
What characterizes Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)? - (ANSWERS)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? -
(ANSWERS)Symptoms are less severe than major depression but longer-lasting.
What is a common treatment for Persistent Depressive Disorder? - (ANSWERS)ssris and
cognitive-behavioral therapy.
What are the key features of Melancholic Depression? - (ANSWERS)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? - (ANSWERS)Common in older
adults and hospitalized patients.
What treatments are effective for Melancholic Depression? - (ANSWERS)Medications and
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
What distinguishes Atypical Depression from other types? - (ANSWERS)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? - (ANSWERS)Younger
individuals and those with bipolar disorder.
What is the treatment for Atypical Depression? - (ANSWERS)ssris or maois.
What defines Psychotic Depression? - (ANSWERS)Severe depression with delusions or
hallucinations, which can be mood-congruent or mood-incongruent.
What is the treatment approach for Psychotic Depression? - (ANSWERS)Combined treatment
with antidepressants and antipsychotics or ECT.
What is Postpartum Depression and when does it onset? - (ANSWERS)Onset during pregnancy
or within four weeks after delivery, characterized by sadness, anxiety, irritability, and difficulty
bonding with the baby.
,NU664C Final Exam Study Guide: Key Mental
Health Concepts With Questions And Answers
How does Postpartum Depression differ from 'baby blues'? - (ANSWERS)It is more intense and
long-lasting than 'baby blues'.
What are the symptoms of Childhood Depression? - (ANSWERS)Irritability, academic decline,
withdrawal from peers, somatic complaints, and low self-esteem.
What are common risk factors for Childhood Depression? - (ANSWERS)Family history and
environmental stressors.
What neurobiological factors are involved in depression? - (ANSWERS)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? - (ANSWERS)The serotonin transporter gene
(5-HTTLPR).
What are the side effects of ssris? - (ANSWERS)GI upset, sexual dysfunction, insomnia.
What distinguishes snris from ssris? - (ANSWERS)snris inhibit serotonin and norepinephrine
reuptake and may cause hypertension.
What are examples of atypical antidepressants? - (ANSWERS)Bupropion (activating, seizure
risk) and mirtazapine (sedating, weight gain).
What treatments are considered for Treatment-Resistant Depression? -
(ANSWERS)Augmentation with lithium, atypical antipsychotics, or T3; also consider TMS or
ECT.
What is ECT and when is it effective? - (ANSWERS)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)? - (ANSWERS)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? - (ANSWERS)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.
, NU664C Final Exam Study Guide: Key Mental
Health Concepts With Questions And Answers
What is the difference between Persistent Depressive Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder?
- (ANSWERS)Dysthymia involves chronic low mood for 2+ years with intermittent symptoms,
while MDD involves discrete episodes with significant impairment and more acute
symptomatology.
What are the symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)? - (ANSWERS)Depressed mood,
anhedonia, appetite/sleep changes, psychomotor changes, fatigue, guilt/worthlessness, poor
concentration, suicidal ideation.
What are the symptoms of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder? - (ANSWERS)Mood lability,
irritability, and depression during the luteal phase.
What are the main features of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)? -
(ANSWERS)Severe temper outbursts and chronic irritability in children.
What distinguishes Depression with Psychotic Features? - (ANSWERS)Presence of mood-
congruent or incongruent delusions/hallucinations.
What is the Kindling Hypothesis in relation to depression? - (ANSWERS)Each episode of
depression increases vulnerability to future episodes, with neurobiological sensitization to
stressors over time.
What constitutes treatment resistance in depression? - (ANSWERS)Inadequate response to at
least two antidepressants at adequate dose/duration.
What are some contributing factors to treatment resistance in depression? - (ANSWERS)Non-
adherence, comorbid anxiety, substance use, personality disorders, and incomplete diagnosis.
What are some strategies for managing treatment-resistant depression? -
(ANSWERS)Medication switch or augmentation (lithium, atypical antipsychotics, T3), ECT, TMS,
and psychotherapy (CBT, IPT).
What does the STAR*D trial support regarding depression management? - (ANSWERS)Multi-
step management approach.
What are the types of delusions in Delusional Disorders? - (ANSWERS)Grandiose, somatic,
persecutory, jealous, and erotomanic.
Health Concepts With Questions And Answers
What are the subtypes of Depressive Disorders to know? - (ANSWERS)Persistent (Dysthymia),
Melancholic, Atypical, Psychotic, Postpartum, Childhood Depression.
What characterizes Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)? - (ANSWERS)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? -
(ANSWERS)Symptoms are less severe than major depression but longer-lasting.
What is a common treatment for Persistent Depressive Disorder? - (ANSWERS)ssris and
cognitive-behavioral therapy.
What are the key features of Melancholic Depression? - (ANSWERS)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? - (ANSWERS)Common in older
adults and hospitalized patients.
What treatments are effective for Melancholic Depression? - (ANSWERS)Medications and
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
What distinguishes Atypical Depression from other types? - (ANSWERS)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? - (ANSWERS)Younger
individuals and those with bipolar disorder.
What is the treatment for Atypical Depression? - (ANSWERS)ssris or maois.
What defines Psychotic Depression? - (ANSWERS)Severe depression with delusions or
hallucinations, which can be mood-congruent or mood-incongruent.
What is the treatment approach for Psychotic Depression? - (ANSWERS)Combined treatment
with antidepressants and antipsychotics or ECT.
What is Postpartum Depression and when does it onset? - (ANSWERS)Onset during pregnancy
or within four weeks after delivery, characterized by sadness, anxiety, irritability, and difficulty
bonding with the baby.
,NU664C Final Exam Study Guide: Key Mental
Health Concepts With Questions And Answers
How does Postpartum Depression differ from 'baby blues'? - (ANSWERS)It is more intense and
long-lasting than 'baby blues'.
What are the symptoms of Childhood Depression? - (ANSWERS)Irritability, academic decline,
withdrawal from peers, somatic complaints, and low self-esteem.
What are common risk factors for Childhood Depression? - (ANSWERS)Family history and
environmental stressors.
What neurobiological factors are involved in depression? - (ANSWERS)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? - (ANSWERS)The serotonin transporter gene
(5-HTTLPR).
What are the side effects of ssris? - (ANSWERS)GI upset, sexual dysfunction, insomnia.
What distinguishes snris from ssris? - (ANSWERS)snris inhibit serotonin and norepinephrine
reuptake and may cause hypertension.
What are examples of atypical antidepressants? - (ANSWERS)Bupropion (activating, seizure
risk) and mirtazapine (sedating, weight gain).
What treatments are considered for Treatment-Resistant Depression? -
(ANSWERS)Augmentation with lithium, atypical antipsychotics, or T3; also consider TMS or
ECT.
What is ECT and when is it effective? - (ANSWERS)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)? - (ANSWERS)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? - (ANSWERS)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.
, NU664C Final Exam Study Guide: Key Mental
Health Concepts With Questions And Answers
What is the difference between Persistent Depressive Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder?
- (ANSWERS)Dysthymia involves chronic low mood for 2+ years with intermittent symptoms,
while MDD involves discrete episodes with significant impairment and more acute
symptomatology.
What are the symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)? - (ANSWERS)Depressed mood,
anhedonia, appetite/sleep changes, psychomotor changes, fatigue, guilt/worthlessness, poor
concentration, suicidal ideation.
What are the symptoms of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder? - (ANSWERS)Mood lability,
irritability, and depression during the luteal phase.
What are the main features of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)? -
(ANSWERS)Severe temper outbursts and chronic irritability in children.
What distinguishes Depression with Psychotic Features? - (ANSWERS)Presence of mood-
congruent or incongruent delusions/hallucinations.
What is the Kindling Hypothesis in relation to depression? - (ANSWERS)Each episode of
depression increases vulnerability to future episodes, with neurobiological sensitization to
stressors over time.
What constitutes treatment resistance in depression? - (ANSWERS)Inadequate response to at
least two antidepressants at adequate dose/duration.
What are some contributing factors to treatment resistance in depression? - (ANSWERS)Non-
adherence, comorbid anxiety, substance use, personality disorders, and incomplete diagnosis.
What are some strategies for managing treatment-resistant depression? -
(ANSWERS)Medication switch or augmentation (lithium, atypical antipsychotics, T3), ECT, TMS,
and psychotherapy (CBT, IPT).
What does the STAR*D trial support regarding depression management? - (ANSWERS)Multi-
step management approach.
What are the types of delusions in Delusional Disorders? - (ANSWERS)Grandiose, somatic,
persecutory, jealous, and erotomanic.
