MDD Revision Cards

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Depressed mood
Diminished interest
Weight loss/gain, appetite loss/gain
Insomnia/hypersomnia
Fatigue/loss of energy
Worthlessness/guilt
Indecisiveness
Suicidal thought/intention/plan
DSM-5 symptoms for MDD Diagnosis
( FIVE or more of the following, present during the same 2-week period (most of the day nearly every single day).
At least 1 symptom from (1) or (2))
1 of 15
MDD Causes - Biological

First-degree relatives of people with MDD more likely to have depression
Twin studies: about 37%
Confirmed in adoption studies
Heritability stronger in women
Abnormalities in serotonin transporter gene
Interaction with early li
MDD Causes - Biological
Genetic factors
2 of 15
Norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin strongly implicated
Low levels in MDD
But may not be as simple as that
Drugs change neurotransmitter levels immediately
But not effective for at least 2-3 weeks
Possible explanations relate to neurotransmitter rec
MDD Causes - Biological
Neurotransmitters
3 of 15
Prefrontal cortex – reduced metabolic activity and grey matter volume
lower brain wave activity
Anterior cingulate – different levels of activity
Hippocampus – smaller volume and lower metabolic activity
Amygdala – enlargement and higher activity
MDD Causes - Biological
Brain – structural and functional abnormalities
4 of 15
Early theories suggest MDD is due to 'self hatred" (little evidence to support early theories)
MDD Causes - Psychodynamic
5 of 15
Depression due to environmental stressors and lack of personal skills
MDD Causes - Behavioural
6 of 15
Aaron Beck - depression is caused by negative thoughts and generated by dysfunctional beliefs
Selectively focus on information that matches negative expectations
Magnify negative events
Minimise positive events
Over-generalise cause and effect
Arbitrary i
MDD Causes - Cognitive
7 of 15
Learned helplessness (Seligman)
Depressed person has ‘learned’ to behave helplessly
MDD Causes - Cognition and reinforcement
8 of 15
Stressful life events may increase risk for MDD
Relationship problems
Loss
Loneliness
Sudden life change
Early childhood trauma or abuse
Health problems – including life-changing diagnosis
Lack of social support
Environmental factors
9 of 15
Unable to concentrate
Problems sleeping
Constantly distracted
Blaming self
Feeling guilty all the time
Low self worth, self-esteem
Poorer quality of life
MDD pts showed significantly poorer outcome at 5 year follow-up
Impact of MDD
10 of 15
Antidepressants
Antipsychotics
Biological treatment for MDD
11 of 15
ECT (electroconvulsive therapy)
New treatment: transcranial stimulation, vagal nerve stimulation, deep brain stimulation
Physical treatment for MDD
12 of 15
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) The original antidepressants (c. 1950s)
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
Also first used in late 1950s
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
Anti
Medication for MDD
13 of 15
Behavioural Activation (BA)
BA reverses cycle of depression by increasing engagement in valued activities
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT adds cognitive and behavioural therapies
Mindfullness
Behavioural Therapy
14 of 15
Depressed mood for most of the day…
…for more days than not… for at least 2 years
Presence, while depressed, of two (or more) of the following
1.Poor appetite or overeating
2.Insomnia or hypersomnia
3.Low energy or fatigue
4.Low self-esteem
5.Poor concen
DSM-5 symptoms for Persistent Depressive Disorder
(dysthymia)
15 of 15

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

MDD Causes - Biological

First-degree relatives of people with MDD more likely to have depression
Twin studies: about 37%
Confirmed in adoption studies
Heritability stronger in women
Abnormalities in serotonin transporter gene
Interaction with early li

Back

MDD Causes - Biological
Genetic factors

Card 3

Front

Norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin strongly implicated
Low levels in MDD
But may not be as simple as that
Drugs change neurotransmitter levels immediately
But not effective for at least 2-3 weeks
Possible explanations relate to neurotransmitter rec

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Prefrontal cortex – reduced metabolic activity and grey matter volume
lower brain wave activity
Anterior cingulate – different levels of activity
Hippocampus – smaller volume and lower metabolic activity
Amygdala – enlargement and higher activity

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Early theories suggest MDD is due to 'self hatred" (little evidence to support early theories)

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

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