Depression

Question 1

What are the psychological and physiological symptoms of depression, and how do they relate to DCM-IV and ICD-10?

Answer 1

Symptoms of depression can include:
low mood
loss of interest or pleasure
changes in appetite and sleep
fatigue
decreased energy
difficulty concentrating
thoughts of self-harm or suicide
These symptoms are used to diagnose depression according to the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) or the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10).

Question 2

What are the different symptom profiles of unipolar and bipolar depression?

Answer 2

Unipolar depression is characterized by persistent low mood, while bipolar depression includes both depressive episodes and manic or hypomanic episodes. In bipolar depression, the individual may experience elevated or irritable mood, increased energy, decreased need for sleep, and impulsive behavior.

Question 3

What are the different theories of the pathophysiology of depression?

Answer 3

Theories of the pathophysiology of depression include:
1. The monoamine hypothesis, which suggests that low levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine are involved.
2. The neurotrophic hypothesis, which implicates changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).
3. The inflammatory hypothesis, which suggests that chronic inflammation may play a role.

Question 4

What are some therapeutic strategies designed to alleviate depression?

Answer 4

Therapeutic strategies for depression include psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and pharmacotherapy, such as antidepressant medications.
Other strategies include electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which use electromagnetic currents to stimulate brain regions associated with mood regulation.