Virginia Union University Introduction to Psychology
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A prolonged and disturbed emotional state that affects almost
all of the persons thoughts, feelings & behaviors 3 of the most
common Major depressive disorder Bipolar I disorder Dysthymic
disorder
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Major Depressive Disorders About 16% of US adults report at
least one episode of depression Women outnumbering men, 2 to 1
Marked by at least 2 weeks of continually being in a bad mood,
having no interest in anything, and getting no pleasure from
activities. Person must have at least 4 of the following symptoms:
Problems with Eating Sleeping Thinking Concentrating Making
decisions Lacking energy Thinking about suicide Feeling worthless
or guilty
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Bipolar I Disorder About 1.3% of the population suffer from
bipolar I disorder 1.6% suffer from only manic episodes Marked by
fluctuations between episodes of depression and mania A manic
episode goes on for at least a week, during which a person is
unusually euphoric, cheerful, and high and has at least 3 of the
following symptoms: Has great self-esteem Has little need for sleep
Speaks rapidly and frequently Has racing thoughts Is easily
distracted Pursues pleasurable activities
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Dysthymic Disorder Affects about 6% of the population; less
serious than major depression Feeling down in the dumps
Characterized by being chronically but not continuously depressed
for a period of two years While depressed, a person experiences at
least 2 of the following symptoms: Poor appetite Insomnia Fatigue
Low self-esteem Poor concentration Feelings of hopelessness
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SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) Depression as a result of a
decrease in the number of sunny days Occurs in fall and winter
months, recovery in the summer months
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Causes Biological Factors genetic, neurological, chemical &
physiological components that may predispose or put someone at risk
for developing a mood disorder
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Causes Biological Factors Genetic factor 40-60% of
susceptibility to depression is genetic Not a single gene, but a
combination of genes Deficits in specific genes affect sensitivity
to stress Genes involved in regulating the brains neurotransmitters
or chemical systems used in communication
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Causes Biological Factors Neurological factors Chemical
imbalance in the brain Group of neurotransmitters called monoamines
(serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine) involved in mood problems
Continued stress alters the brain & bodys stress management
system, altering hormonal & neurotransmitter levels & can
trigger depression
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Causes Biological Factors Brain scans Brain area called the
anterior cingulate cortex shown to be overactive in depressed
patients Depression treated by stimulating (and reducing activity)
in this brain region
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Causes Psychosocial Factors such as personality traits,
cognitive styles, social supports, and the ability to deal with
stressors, interact with predisposing biological factors to put one
at risk for developing a mood disorder
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Causes Psychosocial Factors Stressful live events Strongly
related to the onset of mood disorders
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Causes Psychosocial Factors Negative cognitive style(Negative
way of thinking) Depression may result from ones perceiving the
world in a negative way, which in turn leads to feeling
depressed
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Causes Psychosocial Factors Personality factors Individuals who
are especially sensitive to and overreact to negative events with
feelings of fear, anxiety, guilt, sadness, and anger are at risk
for developing a mood disorder Socially dependent people or
individuals who make their self worth contingent on what others say
or think have increased risk of depression Need for control also
influences depression risk when uncontrollable stress
encountered
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Causes Psychosocial Factors Depressed mothers Mothers
depression influences childs susceptibility for depression, even if
the child is adopted Mothers treatment produces positive outcomes
for the child too
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Treatment Major depression & dysthymic disorder
Antidepressants act by increasing the levels of a specific group of
neurotransmitters (monoamines serotonin, norepinephrine, and
dopamine) that are involved in the regulation of emotions and moods
SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) 80% of
antidepressants are SSRIs, raise the level of the neurotransmitter
serotonin Antidepressants most commonly prescribed medication in
the US, used by 10% of the population Effectiveness of
antidepressants May take up to 8 weeks to work, symptoms for only
1/3 will go away Some antidepressants work better than others,
depends on the individual
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Treatment Major depression & dysthymic disorder
Psychotherapy Less severe depression psychotherapy as effective as
antidepressants More severe depression combo of psychotherapy &
antidepressants most effective Relapse 70% of patients relapsed 18
months after treatment, required additional treatment Depression
viewed as a chronic disease or long-term disease 30% maintained
recovery patients treated with psychotherapy less likely to
relapse
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Treatment Bipolar I disorder Drugs Mood stabilizer lithium
combined with other drugs Lithium thought to prevent manic episodes
by preventing neurons from being overstimulated 50% of patients who
stop taking lithium experience a manic episode Only 50% of patients
are helped by the drug combo (30% partially helped, 20% little to
no help) Relapse 10-30% of patients receive no help from current
drugs 30-70% initially improve but later relapse Researchers
continue to look for new ways to treat mood disorders
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) treatment of last resort
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Involves placing electrodes on the skull and administering a
mild electric current that passes through the brain and causes a
seizure. Usual treatment consists of a series of 10 to 12 ECT
sessions, at the rate of about 3 per week Used as a last resort for
the 40% of patients whose depression doesnt decrease from the use
of antidepressants In the US, ECT is currently used for 100,000
patients/year
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ECT as last resort Risks: may cause varying degrees of memory
loss Gradual improvement in memory after ECT, for most memory
returns to normal ECT effective in reducing depressive symptoms in
70-90% of patients Avg. relapse rate after ECT exceeds 50%,
patients may need antidepressants after ECT or additional ECT
treatments for depression No evidence to suggest that ECT causes
brain damage
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New treatment option for treatment- resistant depression
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Noninvasive technique that
activates neurons by sending pulses of magnetic energy in the brain
Depressed patients who did not respond to antidepressants
experienced improvement after 40 mins of TMS daily for 4 weeks Side
effects may occur (headache, lightheadness, scalp discomfort), less
severe than ECT (unlikely to cause seizures & doesnt require
anesthesia)
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Consists of inflexible, long-standing, maladaptive traits that
cause significantly impaired functioning or great distress in ones
personal & social life Found in about 9% of the population
Affect men & women equally, gender influences which personality
disorder develops
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Seven most common personality disorders 1. Paranoid personality
disorder Pattern of distrust & suspiciousness & perceiving
others as having evil motives (0.5-2.5% of the pop.) 2. Schizotypal
personality disorder Acute discomfort in close relationships,
distortions in thinking & eccentric behavior (3-5% of the pop.)
3. Histrionic personality disorder Excessive emotionality &
attention seeking (2% of the pop.)
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Seven most common personality disorders 4. Obsessive-compulsive
personality disorder Intense interest in being orderly, achieving
perfection & having control (4% of the pop.) 5. Dependent
personality disorder Pattern of being submissive & clingy
because of an excessive need to be taken care of (2% of the pop.)
6. Borderline personality disorder Pattern of instability in
personal relationships, self-image & emotions as well as
impulsive behavior (2% of the pop.) 7. Antisocial personality
disorder Pattern of disregarding or violating the rights of others
without feeling guilt or remorse (3% of pop., predominantly
male)
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Borderline Personality Disorder Intense, unpredictable
emotional outbursts & lack impulse control causing them to
express inappropriate anger & engage in dangerous behaviors
Emotionally erratic express love & rage simultaneously,
emotionally volatile, unable to maintain stable relationships 75%
hurt themselves through self-mutilation 10% eventually commit
suicide
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Borderline Personality Disorder Causes Environmental &
genetic causes Experienced trauma in childhood Overactive amygdala
(emotional center of brain) Underactive area of brain that controls
emotional responses Impulsivity & aggression are heritable
Treatment Dialectical behavior therapy most effective A type of
cognitive-behavioral therapy that helps patient identify thoughts,
beliefs & assumptions that make their life challenging &
teaches them different ways to think & react
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Antisocial Personality Disorder Killers from Most Evil 50-80%
of prisoners meet criteria for antisocial personality disorder Not
all are alike, diagnostic symptoms vary along a continuum One end:
delinquents, bullies, lawbreakers Other end: serial killers
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Antisocial Personality Disorder Causes Psychosocial factors
Aggressive & antisocial children who are difficult to control
Early appearance of behavioral problems (temper tantrums, bullying,
torturing animals, habitual lying) Children who experience physical
or sexual abuse
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Antisocial Personality Disorder Causes Biological factors
Genetic factors Genetics contribute 30-50% to the development of
antisocial personality disorder Neurological factors Prefrontal
cortex damage/impairment Involved in important executive
functioning, such as making decisions & planning
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Antisocial Personality Disorder Treatment Psychotherapy not
shown to be effective, patient does not see their behaviors as
wrong Drugs tried that raise brain serotonin levels Serotonin may
underline impulsive & aggressive behaviors For 69% of patients,
antisocial personality disorder is an ongoing & long-term
problem