NU664C Final Exam Study Guide: Key Mental Health Concepts
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1. What are the subtypes of Depressive Disorders to know?: Persistent (Dysthymia),
Melancholic, Atypical, Psychotic, Postpartum, Childhood Depression.
2. What characterizes Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)?: 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.
3. How do the symptoms of Persistent Depressive Disorder compare to Major
Depression?: Symptoms are less severe than major depression but longer-lasting.
4. What is a common treatment for Persistent Depressive Disorder?: SSRIs and
cognitive-behavioral therapy.
5. What are the key features of Melancholic Depression?: Profound loss of pleasure
(anhedonia), lack of mood reactivity, early morning awakening, weight loss, and psychomotor changes.
6. Who is more likely to experience Melancholic Depression?: Common in older adults
and hospitalized patients.
7. What treatments are effective for Melancholic Depression?: Medications and electro-
convulsive therapy (ECT).
8. What distinguishes Atypical Depression from other types?: Mood can improve in
response to positive events, with features like increased appetite, weight gain, excessive sleep, and heavy limbs.
9. What demographic is more commonly affected by Atypical Depression?: -
Younger individuals and those with bipolar disorder.
10. What is the treatment for Atypical Depression?: SSRIs or MAOIs.
11. What defines Psychotic Depression?: Severe depression with delusions or hallucinations, which
can be mood-congruent or mood-incongruent.
12. What is the treatment approach for Psychotic Depression?: Combined treatment with
antidepressants and antipsychotics or ECT.
13. What is Postpartum Depression and when does it onset?: Onset during pregnancy or
within four weeks after delivery, characterized by sadness, anxiety, irritability, and difficulty bonding with the baby.
14. How does Postpartum Depression differ from 'baby blues'?: It is more intense and
long-lasting than 'baby blues'.
15. What are the symptoms of Childhood Depression?: Irritability, academic decline, with-
drawal from peers, somatic complaints, and low self-esteem.
16. What are common risk factors for Childhood Depression?: Family history and envi-
ronmental stressors.
, NU664C Final Exam Study Guide: Key Mental Health Concepts
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_ilqqpv
17. What neurobiological factors are involved in depression?: Dysregulation of serotonin,
norepinephrine, and dopamine; structural brain changes include decreased hippocampal volume and hypoactivity in
the prefrontal cortex.
18. What genetic factor is associated with depression?: The serotonin transporter gene
(5-HTTLPR).
19. What are the side effects of SSRIs?: GI upset, sexual dysfunction, insomnia.
20. What distinguishes SNRIs from SSRIs?: SNRIs inhibit serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake
and may cause hypertension.
21. What are examples of atypical antidepressants?: Bupropion (activating, seizure risk) and
mirtazapine (sedating, weight gain).
22. What treatments are considered for Treatment-Resistant Depression?: Aug-
mentation with lithium, atypical antipsychotics, or T3; also consider TMS or ECT.
23. What is ECT and when is it effective?: Effective in severe or treatment-resistant depression,
catatonia, or suicidal ideation; may increase monoamine availability and neuroplasticity.
24. What are the key differences between Bipolar Depression and Major Depres-
sive Disorder (MDD)?: Bipolar depression often presents with hypersomnia, hyperphagia, psychomotor
retardation, and a family history of bipolar disorder; antidepressant monotherapy may trigger mania.
25. How does normal grief differ from Major Depressive Disorder?: 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.
26. What is the difference between Persistent Depressive Disorder and Major
Depressive Disorder?: Dysthymia involves chronic low mood for 2+ years with intermittent symptoms, while
MDD involves discrete episodes with significant impairment and more acute symptomatology.
27. What are the symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)?: Depressed mood,
anhedonia, appetite/sleep changes, psychomotor changes, fatigue, guilt/worthlessness, poor concentration, suicidal
ideation.
28. What are the symptoms of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder?: Mood lability,
irritability, and depression during the luteal phase.
29. What are the main features of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
(DMDD)?: Severe temper outbursts and chronic irritability in children.
30. What distinguishes Depression with Psychotic Features?: Presence of mood-congru-
ent or incongruent delusions/hallucinations.
, NU664C Final Exam Study Guide: Key Mental Health Concepts
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_ilqqpv
31. What is the Kindling Hypothesis in relation to depression?: Each episode of depression
increases vulnerability to future episodes, with neurobiological sensitization to stressors over time.
32. What constitutes treatment resistance in depression?: Inadequate response to at least
two antidepressants at adequate dose/duration.
33. What are some contributing factors to treatment resistance in depression?-
: Non-adherence, comorbid anxiety, substance use, personality disorders, and incomplete diagnosis.
34. What are some strategies for managing treatment-resistant depression?: -
Medication switch or augmentation (lithium, atypical antipsychotics, T3), ECT, TMS, and psychotherapy (CBT, IPT).
35. What does the STAR*D trial support regarding depression management?: -
Multi-step management approach.
36. What are the types of delusions in Delusional Disorders?: Grandiose, somatic, perse-
cutory, jealous, and erotomanic.
37. What characterizes Schizoaffective Disorder?: A major mood episode (depressive or manic)
concurrent with schizophrenia symptoms, with delusions or hallucinations present for 2 weeks in the absence of mood
symptoms.
38. What is the Dopamine Hypothesis in relation to schizophrenia?: Positive symptoms
are linked to hyperactivity of dopamine in the mesolimbic pathway, while negative symptoms are related to hypoactivity
in the mesocortical pathway.
39. What are the DSM-5-TR criteria for schizophrenia?: Two or more of the following for at
least 1 month: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, disorganized/catatonic behavior, negative symptoms;
duration of 6 months.
40. What is required for a diagnosis of Delusional Disorder?: One or more delusions for 1
or more months, with functioning not markedly impaired and no prominent hallucinations, disorganized behavior, or
negative symptoms.
41. What defines Panic Disorder?: Recurrent unexpected panic attacks with at least one month of worry
or behavioral change.
42. What neurobiological factors are associated with Panic Disorder?: Hyperactive
amygdala, decreased GABA activity, and increased norepinephrine.
43. What are the first-line treatments for Panic Disorder?: SSRIs (block serotonin reuptake)
and benzodiazepines (enhance GABA; rapid onset but risk of dependence).
44. What is Social Anxiety Disorder characterized by?: Fear of social evaluation, treated with
SSRIs or CBT.
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_ilqqpv
1. What are the subtypes of Depressive Disorders to know?: Persistent (Dysthymia),
Melancholic, Atypical, Psychotic, Postpartum, Childhood Depression.
2. What characterizes Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)?: 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.
3. How do the symptoms of Persistent Depressive Disorder compare to Major
Depression?: Symptoms are less severe than major depression but longer-lasting.
4. What is a common treatment for Persistent Depressive Disorder?: SSRIs and
cognitive-behavioral therapy.
5. What are the key features of Melancholic Depression?: Profound loss of pleasure
(anhedonia), lack of mood reactivity, early morning awakening, weight loss, and psychomotor changes.
6. Who is more likely to experience Melancholic Depression?: Common in older adults
and hospitalized patients.
7. What treatments are effective for Melancholic Depression?: Medications and electro-
convulsive therapy (ECT).
8. What distinguishes Atypical Depression from other types?: Mood can improve in
response to positive events, with features like increased appetite, weight gain, excessive sleep, and heavy limbs.
9. What demographic is more commonly affected by Atypical Depression?: -
Younger individuals and those with bipolar disorder.
10. What is the treatment for Atypical Depression?: SSRIs or MAOIs.
11. What defines Psychotic Depression?: Severe depression with delusions or hallucinations, which
can be mood-congruent or mood-incongruent.
12. What is the treatment approach for Psychotic Depression?: Combined treatment with
antidepressants and antipsychotics or ECT.
13. What is Postpartum Depression and when does it onset?: Onset during pregnancy or
within four weeks after delivery, characterized by sadness, anxiety, irritability, and difficulty bonding with the baby.
14. How does Postpartum Depression differ from 'baby blues'?: It is more intense and
long-lasting than 'baby blues'.
15. What are the symptoms of Childhood Depression?: Irritability, academic decline, with-
drawal from peers, somatic complaints, and low self-esteem.
16. What are common risk factors for Childhood Depression?: Family history and envi-
ronmental stressors.
, NU664C Final Exam Study Guide: Key Mental Health Concepts
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_ilqqpv
17. What neurobiological factors are involved in depression?: Dysregulation of serotonin,
norepinephrine, and dopamine; structural brain changes include decreased hippocampal volume and hypoactivity in
the prefrontal cortex.
18. What genetic factor is associated with depression?: The serotonin transporter gene
(5-HTTLPR).
19. What are the side effects of SSRIs?: GI upset, sexual dysfunction, insomnia.
20. What distinguishes SNRIs from SSRIs?: SNRIs inhibit serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake
and may cause hypertension.
21. What are examples of atypical antidepressants?: Bupropion (activating, seizure risk) and
mirtazapine (sedating, weight gain).
22. What treatments are considered for Treatment-Resistant Depression?: Aug-
mentation with lithium, atypical antipsychotics, or T3; also consider TMS or ECT.
23. What is ECT and when is it effective?: Effective in severe or treatment-resistant depression,
catatonia, or suicidal ideation; may increase monoamine availability and neuroplasticity.
24. What are the key differences between Bipolar Depression and Major Depres-
sive Disorder (MDD)?: Bipolar depression often presents with hypersomnia, hyperphagia, psychomotor
retardation, and a family history of bipolar disorder; antidepressant monotherapy may trigger mania.
25. How does normal grief differ from Major Depressive Disorder?: 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.
26. What is the difference between Persistent Depressive Disorder and Major
Depressive Disorder?: Dysthymia involves chronic low mood for 2+ years with intermittent symptoms, while
MDD involves discrete episodes with significant impairment and more acute symptomatology.
27. What are the symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)?: Depressed mood,
anhedonia, appetite/sleep changes, psychomotor changes, fatigue, guilt/worthlessness, poor concentration, suicidal
ideation.
28. What are the symptoms of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder?: Mood lability,
irritability, and depression during the luteal phase.
29. What are the main features of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
(DMDD)?: Severe temper outbursts and chronic irritability in children.
30. What distinguishes Depression with Psychotic Features?: Presence of mood-congru-
ent or incongruent delusions/hallucinations.
, NU664C Final Exam Study Guide: Key Mental Health Concepts
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_ilqqpv
31. What is the Kindling Hypothesis in relation to depression?: Each episode of depression
increases vulnerability to future episodes, with neurobiological sensitization to stressors over time.
32. What constitutes treatment resistance in depression?: Inadequate response to at least
two antidepressants at adequate dose/duration.
33. What are some contributing factors to treatment resistance in depression?-
: Non-adherence, comorbid anxiety, substance use, personality disorders, and incomplete diagnosis.
34. What are some strategies for managing treatment-resistant depression?: -
Medication switch or augmentation (lithium, atypical antipsychotics, T3), ECT, TMS, and psychotherapy (CBT, IPT).
35. What does the STAR*D trial support regarding depression management?: -
Multi-step management approach.
36. What are the types of delusions in Delusional Disorders?: Grandiose, somatic, perse-
cutory, jealous, and erotomanic.
37. What characterizes Schizoaffective Disorder?: A major mood episode (depressive or manic)
concurrent with schizophrenia symptoms, with delusions or hallucinations present for 2 weeks in the absence of mood
symptoms.
38. What is the Dopamine Hypothesis in relation to schizophrenia?: Positive symptoms
are linked to hyperactivity of dopamine in the mesolimbic pathway, while negative symptoms are related to hypoactivity
in the mesocortical pathway.
39. What are the DSM-5-TR criteria for schizophrenia?: Two or more of the following for at
least 1 month: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, disorganized/catatonic behavior, negative symptoms;
duration of 6 months.
40. What is required for a diagnosis of Delusional Disorder?: One or more delusions for 1
or more months, with functioning not markedly impaired and no prominent hallucinations, disorganized behavior, or
negative symptoms.
41. What defines Panic Disorder?: Recurrent unexpected panic attacks with at least one month of worry
or behavioral change.
42. What neurobiological factors are associated with Panic Disorder?: Hyperactive
amygdala, decreased GABA activity, and increased norepinephrine.
43. What are the first-line treatments for Panic Disorder?: SSRIs (block serotonin reuptake)
and benzodiazepines (enhance GABA; rapid onset but risk of dependence).
44. What is Social Anxiety Disorder characterized by?: Fear of social evaluation, treated with
SSRIs or CBT.
