Ch 17- Mood Disorders and Suicide

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

Page 1
1. Which best explains the neurochemical processes responsible for depression?
A) Increased activity of dopamine
B) Decreased glucocorticoid activity
C) Decreased serotonin and norepinephrine activity
D) Potentiating of the kindling process
Ans: C
Feedback:
Deficits of serotonin, its precursor tryptophan, or a metabolite (5-hydroxyindole acetic
acid, or 5-HIAA) of serotonin found in the blood or cerebrospinal fluid occur in people
with depression. Norepinephrine levels may be deficient in depression and increased in
mania. Elevated glucocorticoid activity is associated with the stress response, and
evidence of increased cortisol secretion is apparent in about 40% of clients with
depression. Kindling is the process by which seizure activity in a specific area of the
brain is initially stimulated.
2. Which is a freudian explanation of the etiology of depression?
A) Depression is a reaction to a distressing life experience.
B) Depression results from being raised by rejecting or unloving parents.
C) Depression results from cognitive distortions.
D) Depression is anger turned inward.
Ans: D
Feedback:
Freud looked at the self-depreciation of people with depression and attributed that self-
reproach to anger turned inward related to either a real or perceived loss. Meyer viewed
depression as a reaction to a distressing life experience such as an event with psychic
causality. Horney believed that children raised by rejecting or unloving parents were
prone to feelings of insecurity and loneliness. Beck saw depression as resulting from
specific cognitive distortions in susceptible people.
3. Which statements about the etiology of bipolar disorder do most psychoanalytical
theories subscribe to? Select all that apply.
A) Norepinephrine levels may be increased in mania.
B) Manic episodes are a ìdefenseî against underlying depression.
C) Acetylcholine seems to be implicated in mania.
D) The id takes over the ego and acts as an undisciplined hedonistic being (child).
Ans: B, D
Feedback:
Most psychoanalytic theories of mania view manic episodes as a ìdefenseî against
underlying depression, with the id taking over the ego and acting as an undisciplined
hedonistic being (child). Norepinephrine levels may be increased in mania, and
acetylcholine seems to be implicated in mania, but these are neurochemical theories.
Page 2
4. Which variables represent the highest risk for developing major depressive disorder?
Select all that apply.
A) Male gender
B) Mood disorder in first-degree relatives
C) Substance abuse
D) Divorced
E) Older adult
Ans: B, D
Feedback:
Major depression is twice as common in women and has a 1.5 to 3 times greater
incidence in first-degree relatives than in the general population. Incidence of
depression decreases with age in women and increases with age in men. Single and
divorced people have the highest incidence. Depression in prepubertal boys and girls
occurs at an equal rate.
5. A concerned family member tells the nurse, ìI am concerned about my brother. He has
been acting very different lately.î Knowing the family has a history of bipolar disorder,
the nurse inquires further about this. Which behavior during the past week might
indicate that the brother has bipolar disorder?
A) Taking unnecessary risks
B) Sleeping more
C) Intense focus
D) Showing low self-esteem
Ans: A
Feedback:
The diagnosis of a manic episode or mania requires at least 1 week of unusual and
incessantly heightened, grandiose, or agitated mood in addition to three or more of the
following symptoms: exaggerated self-esteem; sleeplessness; pressured speech; flight of
ideas; reduced ability to filter extraneous stimuli; distractibility; increased activities with
increased energy; and multiple, grandiose, high-risk activities involving poor judgment
and severe consequences, such as spending sprees, sex with strangers, and impulsive
investments.