1.
Depression management is one thing, prevention is another.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
The statement is true. Depression management and prevention are indeed two distinct aspects of mental health care. Management typically involves addressing existing symptoms of depression through various treatments such as medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes. On the other hand, prevention focuses on avoiding the onset of depression through strategies such as stress reduction, building resilience, and maintaining healthy relationships and physical health. Understanding the difference between managing and preventing depression is crucial for effective mental health care.
2.
Research into the phenomenon of somatization shows that it involves four aspects.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
The statement is true. Research into somatization, which refers to the manifestation of psychological distress through physical symptoms, identifies several aspects typically involved in this phenomenon. These can include the actual physical symptoms, the psychological factors that contribute to their emergence, the individual's perception and interpretation of the symptoms, and the social context that influences how symptoms are experienced and reported. Understanding these different dimensions is essential for effectively addressing somatization in clinical practice.
3.
Common physical symptoms of depression include - (Select three)
Correct Answer(s)
A. Headaches
C. Insomnia
D. Fatigue
Explanation
Depression often manifests not only with emotional symptoms but also with physical ones. Headaches, insomnia, and fatigue are three common physical symptoms associated with depression. Headaches can often be a frequent occurrence, while insomnia relates to the persistent difficulty in falling or staying asleep which is common in depressed individuals. Fatigue or a persistent sense of tiredness or lethargy is also widely reported, impacting daily activities significantly. These symptoms can contribute to a cycle that may exacerbate other depressive symptoms, making management and treatment of the underlying depression crucial.
4.
This rigid adherence to self-defeating behavior patterns is known as the “neurotic paradox”.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
The statement is true. The term "neurotic paradox" refers to the phenomenon where individuals persistently engage in self-defeating behaviors despite the negative consequences they bring. This paradoxical behavior is typical in various forms of neurosis, where an individual continues to follow a pattern that worsens their distress or emotional pain. This term highlights the irrational yet compelling nature of such behaviors, which seem counterintuitive to personal well-being but are driven by underlying psychological factors or unresolved conflicts. Understanding this paradox is essential in therapeutic contexts to address and alter these detrimental behavior patterns.
5.
People in chronic manic states behave more like the popular notion of the "raving maniac."
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
The statement is false. The popular notion of a "raving maniac" does not accurately describe individuals experiencing chronic manic states associated with bipolar disorder or other mood disorders. While mania can manifest with elevated mood, increased energy, and sometimes erratic behavior, it does not typically result in the extreme and uncontrolled behavior implied by the term "raving maniac." People in manic states may exhibit behaviors such as impulsivity, grandiosity, and decreased need for sleep, but these symptoms are variable and can range from mild to severe. It's important to approach the understanding of mania with sensitivity and accuracy, avoiding stereotypes and misconceptions.
6.
According to Beck, depressed thoughts lead to depressed feelings.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
The statement is true. Aaron Beck, the founder of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), posited that negative thoughts, or "cognitive distortions," play a significant role in the development and maintenance of depression. According to Beck's cognitive theory of depression, negative thinking influences one's perceptions and interpretations of events, leading to depressed feelings. These negative thoughts about oneself, one’s future, and the world often result in feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and helplessness, which characterize depression. Thus, identifying and challenging these negative thoughts is a fundamental aspect of CBT for depression.
7.
In those women who suffer from PMT there is a malfunction in the production of hormones during the menstrual cycle, in particular estrogen.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
The statement is false. Premenstrual Tension (PMT) or Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) involves a complex interplay of hormonal changes that affect a woman emotionally and physically. However, it is not typically characterized by a "malfunction" in hormone production. Instead, PMS is thought to involve sensitivity to the normal hormonal fluctuations of the menstrual cycle, particularly to changes in estrogen and progesterone. It's not the absolute levels of estrogen that cause symptoms but rather the changes in hormonal levels and their effects on neurotransmitters in the brain.
8.
Postnatal depression affects between ______ of mothers.
Correct Answer
A. 10 and 20%
Explanation
Postnatal depression, a type of mood disorder that can affect women after childbirth, impacts approximately 10 to 20% of mothers. This form of depression is characterized by feelings of extreme sadness, low energy, anxiety, changes in sleeping or eating patterns, and difficulty in bonding with the baby. The 10 to 20% range captures the average prevalence, acknowledging that the condition affects a significant but not overwhelming minority of new mothers. Awareness and treatment are crucial for managing the symptoms and supporting affected mothers.
9.
The puerperal depressed woman is often seriously deluded, believing her baby to be malformed, possessed, damaged, or altered in some way.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
The statement is true. Puerperal psychosis, which can occur in women following childbirth, includes severe depression and can involve delusions. These delusions may be centered around the baby, such as beliefs that the baby is malformed, possessed, or otherwise abnormal. This condition is a serious mental health issue and differs from more common forms of postnatal depression by the presence of these psychotic symptoms. Immediate medical intervention is crucial to provide safety and support for both the mother and the child.
10.
It is often said of depressed people that - (Select three)
Correct Answer(s)
B. They do not believe others who try and reassure them that they will get better.
C. They insist that the bleak vision they have of their own lives in particular, and of life in general is true.
D. They are extremely resistant to suggestions that all is not lost, that recovery can be achieved, that they will feel better, that they have felt better.
Explanation
Depressed individuals often exhibit a pattern of negative thinking that affects their perceptions and beliefs about themselves, their future, and the world around them. They may not believe reassurances from others about improving or recovering because their mental state affects their ability to see possibilities beyond their current feelings. They might insist that their negative views are the only truths and show resistance to suggestions of hope or recovery. This resistance is not a refusal of help but rather a symptom of the depression that clouds their ability to envision change.
11.
Depression should be suspected if - (Select three)
Correct Answer(s)
A. There is a slow change in mood, behaviour or general ability to work, relax or mix
C. A person finds it difficult to laugh or enjoy the things that formerly interested and stimulated him or her
D. Someone seems to be 'out of sorts,' unhappy, lacking in zest, or begins to drink heavily and frequently
Explanation
Depression can manifest through various behavioral and emotional changes that might be gradual and subtle. A slow change in mood, behavior, or the general ability to engage in work or leisure activities is a classic sign of depression. Additionally, losing interest in previously enjoyable activities can indicate a significant mood disorder. When someone appears consistently unhappy, lacks energy, or starts engaging in unhealthy behaviors like heavy drinking, these could also be signs of depression. These symptoms collectively point to a need for further evaluation by a mental health professional.
12.
Therapists should endeavor to develop the relevant skills needed to detect depression, to communicate with depressed clients, and to initiate effective treatment.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
This statement is true. It is essential for therapists and other mental health professionals to have the skills necessary to effectively recognize and diagnose depression. Detecting depression is crucial for timely intervention. Moreover, therapists must be adept at communicating empathetically and effectively with clients who are experiencing depression, as establishing a strong therapeutic alliance is key to successful outcomes. Finally, initiating appropriate and effective treatment based on the latest evidence and best practices is fundamental to helping clients manage and recover from depression. These competencies are foundational for therapists working in the mental health field.