RAT 3 (actual)

Question 1

What are the causal factors of antidepressants?

Answer 1

Unknown, even among experts.

Question 2

When given a medical treatment, what two things are patients given?

Answer 2

A drug (chemical effect) and a story (treatment expectations).

Question 3

What did Irving Kirsch’s research reveal about antidepressants?

Answer 3

25% chemical, 50% placebo effect, 25% natural recovery.

Question 4

What’s the relationship between grief and depression?

Answer 4

Depression may be grief for an unfulfilled life. Symptoms are similar.

Question 5

Why are people living in poverty more likely to become depressed?

Answer 5

More stress, negative events, and fewer stabilizers.

Question 6

What is endogenous depression?

Answer 6

Depression from internal malfunction.

Question 7

What is reactive depression?

Answer 7

Depression from external life events.

Question 8

What points are made regarding the biopsychosocial model for depression and anxiety?

Answer 8

All factors matter; environment may be as important as treatment.

Question 9

What does being disconnected from work mean and how might it contribute to depression/anxiety?

Answer 9

Lack of fulfillment at work leads to stress and disengagement.

Question 10

What is disempowerment, and how does it affect people?

Answer 10

No control at work leads to boredom and emotional detachment.

Question 11

How are physical and mental health related to loneliness?

Answer 11

Physically: Higher cortisol, more illness, higher mortality.
Mentally: Loneliness leads to depression/anxiety.

Question 12

Define loneliness.

Answer 12

An aversive state that motivates reconnection.

Question 13

Why might depressed and anxious people receive less love?

Answer 13

They scan for threats, withdraw, and receive criticism instead of support.

Question 14

What is the relationship between technology (including social media) and loneliness?

Answer 14

Creates an illusion of connection but isolates people.

Question 15

What is the difference between meaningful values and junk values?

Answer 15

Meaningful = pursued for their own sake.
Junk = pursued for external rewards.

Question 16

What are the reasons junk values contribute to depression and anxiety?

Answer 16

Harm relationships, prevent flow states, increase social comparison, fail to meet core needs.

Question 17

What’s the significance of the ACEs study?

Answer 17

Greater trauma increases risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide.

Question 18

Why might we prefer to think of depression and anxiety as brain diseases?

Answer 18

Simplifies distress, avoids personal meaning, aligns with pharmaceutical interests.

Question 19

What is meant by labeling depression a ‘submission response?’

Answer 19

A biological signal to avoid conflict, like a low-status animal yielding.

Question 20

What is the connection between nature and depression/anxiety?

Answer 20

Nature shrinks the ego and restores vitality.

Question 21

What is the relationship between insecurity, identity, and depression/anxiety?

Answer 21

Identity issues requires reconnecting with meaningful work, community, and intrinsic values rather than seeking validation from unstable sources like social media, status, or consumer culture.

Question 22

What does neuroplasticity have to do with depression and anxiety?

Answer 22

Brain changes based on experiences, reinforcing distress or recovery.

Question 23

What is the role of genetics in depression and anxiety?

Answer 23

Genes exist but require environmental activation.

Question 24

Why might we prefer to think about depression and anxiety as genetic or as originating in the brain?

Answer 24

Easier than addressing life dissatisfaction, avoids stigma, suits pharmaceutical interests, removes meaning.

Question 25

Why might people in the United States have limited success when trying to be happier?

Answer 25

Focus on individual happiness instead of collective well-being.

Question 26

Define social prescribing.

Answer 26

Doctors prescribe social activities for connection.

Question 27

Why is the biggest job of the doctor (or other clinician) to listen?

Answer 27

People often need to be understood rather than simply diagnosed and given medication.

Question 28

What is the connection between business cooperatives and alleviating depression/anxiety?

Answer 28

Workers gain control, autonomy, and purpose, reducing distress.

Question 29

What point is made with the two questions: 'What do you spend your money on?' and 'What do you really value?'

Answer 29

People buy things they don't truly value.

Question 30

What is sympathetic joy and what does meditation have to do with it?

Answer 30

Feeling happy for others. Meditation fosters this mindset.

Question 31

What is the connection between meditation and psychedelics with regard to depression and anxiety?

Answer 31

Both shift perception, reducing attachment to distressing thoughts.

Question 32

Why might a healthy relationship with the ego seem threatening?

Answer 32

Ego protects but can isolate; letting go feels vulnerable.

Question 33

What is the value of sharing with another a shameful experience?

Answer 33

Reduces shame by receiving nonjudgmental support.

Question 34

In what ways might a basic universal income affect depression and anxiety?

Answer 34

More time with family, job choice empowerment, human dignity.

Question 35

How might depression and anxiety expose sanity?

Answer 35

They signal that current life conditions are unsustainable.