Depression & Suicide Quiz

1.

Mandy is an 18-year-old freshman at Middle Tennessee State University. This is her first semester at college and she is having difficulty adjusting to college life. In fact, she doesn’t feel like her normal self and, upon visiting her family last weekend, they noticed a distinct change in her mood. What are some possible signs that Mandy may be suffering from depression?

A.

She does not feel like eating as much as she normally does.
B.

She cannot keep her mind focused on her professors’ lectures.
C.

She overreacts to things.
D.

All of the above
E.

A & B Only

Correct Answer
D. All of the above

Explanation
Mandy's lack of appetite, difficulty in focusing on lectures, and overreacting to things are all possible signs of depression. Depression can often cause changes in appetite, leading to a decrease in food intake. It can also affect concentration and focus, making it difficult for individuals to pay attention and retain information during lectures. Additionally, depression can cause mood swings and heightened emotional responses, leading to overreacting to situations. Therefore, all of the given options can be indicative of Mandy suffering from depression.

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2.

LaShonda is a 19-year-old student who has been feeling sad lately. Things just haven’t been going her way. In fact, she told her friend, Rebecca, “I can’t stand it anymore. I’d just be better off dead.” What should Rebecca do?

A.

Help LaShonda find a way to kill herself that won’t be too painful.
B.

Change the subject so LaShonda stops talking about death.
C.

Express her concern for LaShonda and find a trusted adult or professional whom LaShonda can talk to about her feelings.
D.

Listen to LaShonda and hope things work out for the best.

Correct Answer
C. Express her concern for LaShonda and find a trusted adult or professional whom LaShonda can talk to about her feelings.

Explanation
When a friend talks about ending his or her life, it’s not something that should be taken lightly. Rebecca should listen carefully to LaShonda and provide her with support. However, she should also take the next step by asking LaShonda if she would be willing to talk to an adult who could be of help such as an MTSU Counseling Services professional, professor, minister or her [Rebecca or LaShonda’s] parents.

Visit the link below to watch a video of how a student helps his friend who is thinking about committing suicide (produced by Outreach Arts).
http://www.outreacharts.com/never_enough.htm

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3.

Adolescents and young adults don’t commit suicide as often as the media would lead people to believe.

A.

True
B.

False

Correct Answer
B. False

Explanation
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, suicide was the third leading cause of death among children (aged 10 – 14), adolescents (ages 15 – 19) and young adults (ages 20 – 24) in 2004. More detailed information can be found on the American Association of Suicidology website.
http://www.suicidology.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=21

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4.

Which of the following are risk factors for teenage suicide?

A.

Stressful situations (e.g., breaking up with a boyfriend/girlfriend)
B.

Depression and/or substance abuse
C.

Exposure to other teenagers who have committed suicide
D.

All of the above
E.

A & b only

Correct Answer
D. All of the above

Explanation
According to the National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center, stressful life events oftentimes precipitate extreme reactions in adolescents and young adults including suicide attempts and completions. Individuals who have been struggling with depression are quite vulnerable especially if they abuse alcohol or drugs as this lowers inhibitions and fuels poor decision-making resulting in deadly consequences. In some cases, teenagers and college students commit suicide after friends have killed themselves as they cannot bear the thought of living life without their closest friends. ULifeline is an excellent online resource center for college students pertaining to mental health issues and includes suicide prevention information.
ULifeline - http://www.ulifeline.org/main/Home.html

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5.

Taking antidepressant medication is the best way to treat depression.

A.

True
B.

False

Correct Answer
B. False

Explanation
Although antidepressant medication is oftentimes an important component in the treatment of depression, research has shown that a combination of counseling + antidepressant medication is the most effective treatment option.

Visit the link below to watch a video regarding how antidepressant medication affects brain “chemicals” to reduce symptoms of depression (produced by the Mayo Clinic).
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/antidepressants/MM00660

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