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Choose the correct answer:
1. One of the criteria for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is depressed mood or loss of interest and pleasure in most activities for at least:
a.) 2 weeks
b.) 2 months
2. Dysthymia is
a.) A milder form of depression
b.) Memory loss that occurs with major depression
3. Suicidal ideation is
a.) The sense that suicide is “the answer”.
b.) Persistent thoughts about suicide.
4. With appropriate treatment of depression
a.) 50% of patients will experience improvement of symptoms
b.) 80% of patients will experience improvement of symptoms
5. Bipolar disorder was previously called
a.) Manic depression
b.) Unipolar depression
6. Post-partum depression is depression that occurs
a.) After major surgery
b.) After childbirth
7. The ratio of men to women with depression is
a.) 1:1
b.) 1:2
8.With a depressed friend or family member it's important to
a.) Be a good listener
b.) Ignore their behaviour and stay upbeat yourself.
ANSWERS
1.a.) 2 weeks.
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) includes depressed mood or loss of interest and pleasure in most activities for at least two weeks. Several other symptoms must also be be present, including sleep disturbances, appetite disturbances, change in energy levels, difficulties thinking and concentrating, and sexual difficulties. These symptoms interfere with normal behaviour and functioning.
2. Dysthymia is
a.) A milder form of depression
Dysthymia is a form of depression which has many similar symptoms to MDD, but they are less severe and interfere less with immediate functioning. If left untreated, however, dysthymia may persist for years, and greatly reduce quality of life.
3. Suicidal ideation is
b.) Persistent thoughts about suicide
Suicidal ideation is the medical term for repeated thoughts or a preoccupation with suicide; it is common in depressed people. The thoughts may include planning or visualising killing oneself. Most people who experience suicidal ideation do not kill themselves, but it is an important warning sign that they may do so and should be taken very seriously.
4. With appropriate treatment of depression
b.) 80% of patients will experience improvement of symptoms
Depression is a highly treatable condition: 80% of patients will experience improvement of symptoms, and up to 60% may recover fully.
5. Bipolar disorder was previously called
a.) Manic depression
Bipolar disorder is characterised by periods of depression alternating with periods of mania/euphoria or elevated mood. The older term for the condition, which is still sometimes used, is manic depression. Unipolar depression refers to depressive disorders where only periods of low mood are experienced.
6. Post-partum depression is depression that occurs
b.) After childbirth
Post-partum depression occurs in some new mothers after childbirth; it is more severe and of longer duration than the milder "baby blues".
7. The ratio of men to women with depression is
b.)1:2
Women are about twice as likely as men to suffer from depression. The reasons for this are not fully understood, but may be genetic, hormonal and societal. For example, women are socialised to be more passive and helpless to change a negative situation, which can lead to or worsen depressive symptoms.
8. With a depressed friend or family member it's important to
a.) Be a good listener
It's not helpful to a depressed person to either be ignored or to be told to “pull yourself together” or “snap out of it”. A good approach is to listen to their concerns in a non-judgemental way, and encourage them to get treatment.
