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NU664C Final Exam Study Guide: Key
Mental Health Concepts Questions and
Correct Answers/ Latest Update / Already
Graded
What are the subtypes of Depressive Disorders to know?
Ans: Persistent (Dysthymia), Melancholic, Atypical, Psychotic,
Postpartum, Childhood Depression.
What characterizes Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)?
Ans: 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?
Ans: Symptoms are less severe than major depression but
longer-lasting.
What is a common treatment for Persistent Depressive Disorder?
Ans: SSRIs and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
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What are the key features of Melancholic Depression?
Ans: 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?
Ans: Common in older adults and hospitalized patients.
What treatments are effective for Melancholic Depression?
Ans: Medications and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
What distinguishes Atypical Depression from other types?
Ans: 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?
Ans: Younger individuals and those with bipolar disorder.
What is the treatment for Atypical Depression?
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Ans: SSRIs or MAOIs.
What defines Psychotic Depression?
Ans: Severe depression with delusions or hallucinations, which
can be mood-congruent or mood-incongruent.
What is the treatment approach for Psychotic Depression?
Ans: Combined treatment with antidepressants and
antipsychotics or ECT.
What is Postpartum Depression and when does it onset?
Ans: 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'?
Ans: It is more intense and long-lasting than 'baby blues'.
What are the symptoms of Childhood Depression?
Ans: Irritability, academic decline, withdrawal from peers,
somatic complaints, and low self-esteem.
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What are common risk factors for Childhood Depression?
Ans: Family history and environmental stressors.
What neurobiological factors are involved in depression?
Ans: 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?
Ans: The serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR).
What are the side effects of SSRIs?
Ans: GI upset, sexual dysfunction, insomnia.
What distinguishes SNRIs from SSRIs?
Ans: SNRIs inhibit serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake and
may cause hypertension.
What are examples of atypical antidepressants?
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
NU664C Final Exam Study Guide: Key
Mental Health Concepts Questions and
Correct Answers/ Latest Update / Already
Graded
What are the subtypes of Depressive Disorders to know?
Ans: Persistent (Dysthymia), Melancholic, Atypical, Psychotic,
Postpartum, Childhood Depression.
What characterizes Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)?
Ans: 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?
Ans: Symptoms are less severe than major depression but
longer-lasting.
What is a common treatment for Persistent Depressive Disorder?
Ans: SSRIs and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |2
What are the key features of Melancholic Depression?
Ans: 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?
Ans: Common in older adults and hospitalized patients.
What treatments are effective for Melancholic Depression?
Ans: Medications and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
What distinguishes Atypical Depression from other types?
Ans: 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?
Ans: Younger individuals and those with bipolar disorder.
What is the treatment for Atypical Depression?
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |3
Ans: SSRIs or MAOIs.
What defines Psychotic Depression?
Ans: Severe depression with delusions or hallucinations, which
can be mood-congruent or mood-incongruent.
What is the treatment approach for Psychotic Depression?
Ans: Combined treatment with antidepressants and
antipsychotics or ECT.
What is Postpartum Depression and when does it onset?
Ans: 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'?
Ans: It is more intense and long-lasting than 'baby blues'.
What are the symptoms of Childhood Depression?
Ans: Irritability, academic decline, withdrawal from peers,
somatic complaints, and low self-esteem.
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |4
What are common risk factors for Childhood Depression?
Ans: Family history and environmental stressors.
What neurobiological factors are involved in depression?
Ans: 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?
Ans: The serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR).
What are the side effects of SSRIs?
Ans: GI upset, sexual dysfunction, insomnia.
What distinguishes SNRIs from SSRIs?
Ans: SNRIs inhibit serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake and
may cause hypertension.
What are examples of atypical antidepressants?
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
