NU 310 FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
SOLVED 100% CORRECT!!
What are the subtypes of Depressive Disorders to
know? - .....ANSWER ...✔✔ Persistent (Dysthymia),
Melancholic, Atypical, Psychotic, Postpartum, Childhood
Depression.
What characterizes Persistent Depressive Disorder
(Dysthymia)? - .....ANSWER ...✔✔ 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? - .....ANSWER ...✔✔
Symptoms are less severe than major depression but
longer-lasting.
What is a common treatment for Persistent Depressive
Disorder? - .....ANSWER ...✔✔ SSRIs and cognitive-
behavioral therapy.
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What are the key features of Melancholic Depression? -
.....ANSWER ...✔✔ 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? - .....ANSWER ...✔✔ Common in older
adults and hospitalized patients.
What treatments are effective for Melancholic
Depression? - .....ANSWER ...✔✔ Medications and
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
What distinguishes Atypical Depression from other
types? - .....ANSWER ...✔✔ 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? - .....ANSWER ...✔✔ Younger
individuals and those with bipolar disorder.
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What is the treatment for Atypical Depression? -
.....ANSWER ...✔✔ SSRIs or MAOIs.
What defines Psychotic Depression? - .....ANSWER
...✔✔ Severe depression with delusions or
hallucinations, which can be mood-congruent or mood-
incongruent.
What is the treatment approach for Psychotic
Depression? - .....ANSWER ...✔✔ Combined treatment
with antidepressants and antipsychotics or ECT.
What is Postpartum Depression and when does it onset?
- .....ANSWER ...✔✔ Onset during pregnancy or
within four weeks after delivery, characterized by
sadness, anxiety, irritability, and difficulty bonding with
the baby.
How does Postpartum Depression differ from 'baby
blues'? - .....ANSWER ...✔✔ It is more intense and
long-lasting than 'baby blues'.
What are the symptoms of Childhood Depression? -
.....ANSWER ...✔✔ Irritability, academic decline,
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withdrawal from peers, somatic complaints, and low
self-esteem.
What are common risk factors for Childhood
Depression? - .....ANSWER ...✔✔ Family history and
environmental stressors.
What neurobiological factors are involved in
depression? - .....ANSWER ...✔✔ 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? -
.....ANSWER ...✔✔ The serotonin transporter gene (5-
HTTLPR).
What are the side effects of SSRIs? - .....ANSWER
...✔✔ GI upset, sexual dysfunction, insomnia.
What distinguishes SNRIs from SSRIs? - .....ANSWER
...✔✔ SNRIs inhibit serotonin and norepinephrine
reuptake and may cause hypertension.