psychological problems

Question 1

define unipolar depression

Answer 1

a type of mood disorder causing periods of feeling sad & lacking motivation to do everyday activites.

Question 2

define mental health problem

Answer 2

form of psychological problem characterised by symptoms affecting your mind & behavior.
* affects how you think, feel, behave, relate to others.

Question 3

symptoms of unipolar dep according to ICD-10

Answer 3

• feeling suicidal/attempting suicide
• not enjoying favorite activities anymore
• poor sleep (finding it difficult to sleep, waking up early when still tired)
• extreme tiredness not relieved by sleep
• poor appetite or increase
• lack of self esteem
• feelings of guilt, blaming themselves
• activing nervously. behavior slowed down more then usual

Question 4

what are the main symptoms of unipolar dep

Answer 4

MEM
* lowering of mood
* lack of energy
* lack of motivation

Question 5

what does ICD-10 require for diagnosis of uni depression

Answer 5

• one of the main symptoms present most of time for 2 weeks
• another one of the symptoms should be pressent some point during tha time.

Question 6

features of unipolar dep

Answer 6

• WHO - 1 in 15 ppl suffer from episode of serious dep every year.
• Affects twice as many females as males. affects females longer

Question 7

symptoms & features of episodes of uni dep

Answer 7

Episode -> mild -> 4 symptoms displayed -> finds symptoms upsetting. carries on daytoday activites.

Episode -> moderate -> 5-6 symptoms displayed -> serious probs doing daytoday activities

Episode -> severe -> 7+ symptoms displayed + general feelings of worthlessness -> suicidal thoughts, engage in self harm to cope.

Question 8

incidience of dep over time

Answer 8

• Hidaka (2012) suggests modern living’s more stressful, includes many risk factors for depression** e.g** sleep deprivation, poor diet, increased social isolation.
• The King’s Fund (2008) estimates that by 2026, 1.45 million people will be diagnosed w/ dep
• compared to 1.24 million in 2007.
  Could be bc of more people being aware of their symptoms.

Question 9

how dep affects individuals & society

Answer 9

• Amount of time missed from work by patients; company has to cover workload, there’ll be cost implications for company
• HSE estimated that in 2014-15, 9.9 million days of work were missed because of stress, depression, anxiety associated with work.
• cost of treatment for dep, more ppl diagnosed w depression, more require treatment; drugs expensive to prescibe, therapies expensive, therapists need to be trained; will cost NHS a lot, putting strain on their services.

Question 10

genetic explanation of unipolar depression
How the influence of genes can explain why some people depression

Answer 10

➜ Evidence if someone in your family has been diagnosed w/ unipolar depression, higher risk you’ll also be diagnosed w/ depression.

➜ Depression might be inherited through genes.

➜ Hyde et al. (2016) = 17 diff gene variations linked to depressions

Question 11

twin studies on influence of genes for depression

Answer 11

➜ Monozygotic twins = share 100% of the same genes.
➜ Dizygotic twins = share 50% of the same genes.

McGuffin et al. (1996)
Monozygotic twin depressed = 46% co-twin becomes depressed.

Dizygotic twin depressed = 20% co-twin becomes depressed.

Shows depression might be genetic.

Question 12

define twin studies

Answer 12

• research that compares behavior
• in groups of twins
• to see if there are similarities in each pair of twins

Question 13

define monozygotic twins

Answer 13

• twins developed from one fertilized egg
• that’s split into 2
• are genetically identical.

Question 14

define dizygotic twins

Answer 14

• twins developed from 2 diff eggs
• fertilized during same pregnancy
• not genetically identical.

Question 15

define genetic predisposition

Answer 15

• biological tendency
• to develop a particular behavior
• as a result of the genes someone has.

Question 16

define diathesis stress model

Answer 16

• explanation for depression
• claiming that people can have a gene making them more likely to develop depression
• ONLY if they face a stressful situation
• that triggers depressive thoughts.

Question 17

strengths & weaknesses of genetic explanation (depression)

Answer 17

Strengths
* Takes away the stigma of depression diagnosis.
* Research evidence; .Caspi et al. (2003) found people w/ variation of serotonin transporter gene more likely to react negatively to stressful life events & develop depression.

Weaknesses
* Deterministic; assumes that if you have certain genes, you’re more likely to be depressed. Does not consider free will.
* Reductionist; fails to take into account other factors that can explain why someone may develop depression.

Question 18

define cognitive theory

Answer 18

explanation that focuses on how thought processes
influence behavior.

Question 18

cognitive theory as an explanation for depression

Beck’s cognitive triad

Answer 18

• depression could be explained by 3 negative thought patterns; negative triad.
• Develops from bad experiences in the past; once they have a negative way of thinking, they’re more prone to magnification.
• Beck believes if a person has all 3 types of negative view, it’s likely they’ll show symptoms of depression.
• more prone to magnification
• Negative view of self ➜ Negative view of the future ➜ Negative view of the world.

Question 18

define free will

Answer 18

• explanations of behavior that claim
• we have ability to choose exactly what type of behavior we wat to show
• opposite of being determined

Question 18

define determinsitc

Answer 18

• our actions come from what we are born with & what we experience
• opposite of having free will or free choice

Question 18

cognitive theory as an explanation for depression

Ellis’s ABC model

Answer 18

• 3 stages that might cause a person to develop negative thought processes, which can then lead to them becoming depressed.

Activating event
Something happens to a person that makes them feel unsettled.

Beliefs
Thoughts a person associates w/ the event = can be irrational/rational.

Consequences
R = no depression, positive emotional consequences.
IR = depression, negative emotional consequences.

Question 18

define negative triad

Answer 18

• set of 3 thought patterns
• where people feel bad about themselves
• the future
• & world in general

Question 18

define magnification

Answer 18

form of cognitive bias making people see their problems as far bigger then they actually are.

Question 18

strengths & weaknessses of the cognitive theory explanation

Answer 18

**strengths** ➜ Takes into account events in a person's life. - combination of nature & nurture factors that make people depressed. ➜ Has been applied to CBT. **weaknesses** ➜ Difficult to tell whether irrational thoughts are causes or symptoms of depression. ➜ Some types of depression can’t be explained by thought process. E.g post-natal depression (dep after giving birth) it may have something to do with hormone levels rather then thought processes. Caused by biological factors then cognitive ones.

Question 19

define CBT

Answer 19

* a therapy for mental health disorders * that aims to change thought processes * in order to reduce symptoms

Question 19

whats cbt based on (depression)

Answer 19

* the understanding that the way we think affects how we feel, how we feel influences how we behave. * if person changes way the think, their behavior should also change.

Question 19

What's the main aim of CBT (depression)

Answer 19

* help patient change the way they think (cognitive part of therapy) * help change the way they act to improve symptoms experienced (behavorial part of therapy)

Question 20

stages of CBT in treating depression

Answer 20

**1st stage** * dicussing symptoms with therapist. explain how they feel, what makes them feel this way. **2nd stage** * challenging irrational ways of thinking; once patient recognizes irration thoughts, should try to replace with rational. * homework give between each session; involves changing way they think about situation, writing about they feel. helps practicse using rational thought processes.

Question 21

strengths & weaknesses of CBT to treat depression

Answer 21

**Strengths** * NHS 2012 - when patients with depression given CBT alongside antidepressants, there’s significant improvement in their symptoms. * Longer-lasting treatment for depression then only using antidepressants; they learn to control symptoms. Have the skills to do this whenever needed. * Feelings of helplessness reduced; feel better - learn to deal with symptoms. **Weaknesses:** * Relies on patients wanting to change their behavior & being able to recognise when their thoughts are irrational. * Ethical issues in use of CBT; too much control for therapist.

Question 22

define neurotransmitters

Answer 22

* chemicals found within the nervous system * that pass messages from one neuron to another * across a synapse

Question 23

define noradrenaline

Answer 23

* type of neurotransmitter * thats involved in mood * released during times of stress

Question 24

define reuptake

Answer 24

* process by which * neurons reabsorb neurotransmitters * that they release.

Question 25

define serotonin

Answer 25

neurotransmitter associated with controlling mood.

Question 26

# antidepressants Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs

Answer 26

* block reuptake of serotonin when released from neuron - allows other neurons to absorb it * serotonin available for longer * helps increase levels of serotonin in brain, improving mood.

Question 27

# antidepressants Serotonin & noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors SNRIs

Answer 27

* block reuptake of both serotonin & noradrenaline. * enhances effect of available serotonin & noradrenaline * helps improve mood

Question 28

# antidepressants monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

Answer 28

* prevent enzyme monoamine oxidase from doing its job (it breaks down neurotransmitters serotonin & noradrenaline after they've been released.) * make more neurotransmitters available * improves mood

Question 29

# antidepressants tricylics TCAs

Answer 29

* around since 1950s * boost effect of serotonin & noradrenaline * prevent reabsorption of neurotransmitters into neuron - longer to act on the brain * mood enhancing effect lasts longer

Question 30

define placebo

Answer 30

inactive substance or fake pill used instead of active substance. person given placebo wont know its fake.

Question 31

define relapse

Answer 31

return of symptoms after treat has been given.

Question 32

strengths & weaknesses of drug therapy as a treatment for depression

Answer 32

**Strengths** * Improves symptoms; makes it easier for patients to access other psychological therapies. * **Royal College of Psychiatrists**; 65% of patients w/ moderate-severe symptoms of depression showed improvements when given antidepressants then compared to 30% given a placebo. **Weaknesses** * Unpleasant side effects; MAOIs dangerous when eaten with certain foods. Some can cause side effects such as nausea, suicidal thoughts, diabetes. * Only tackle symptoms, and not the cause. Long-term effect is less likely, more likely to relapse.