Mood Disorders: A Comprehensive Guide for Psychology Students

Question 1

Which of the following is a typical symptom of depression?

Accepted Answer

Persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest in activities

Answer

Sustained elevation in mood and energy levels

Answer

Racing thoughts and difficulty concentrating

Answer

Increased appetite and weight gain

Question 2

Identify a key symptom of major depressive disorder:

Accepted Answer

Persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness

Answer

Elevated mood and increased energy

Answer

Racing thoughts and difficulty concentrating

Answer

Delusions and hallucinations

Question 3

How do the symptom patterns of major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder primarily differ?

Accepted Answer

Major depressive disorder involves only depressive episodes, while bipolar disorder involves alternating episodes of mania or hypomania and depression.

Answer

Mania is commonly associated with major depressive disorder.

Answer

Depressive symptoms are more pronounced in bipolar disorder than in major depressive disorder.

Answer

Episodes of major depressive disorder tend to last longer than those of bipolar disorder.

Question 4

According to the cognitive theory of depression, what is the relationship between negative thoughts and beliefs, and the development of depression?

Accepted Answer

Negative thoughts and beliefs lead to negative emotions.

Answer

Negative thoughts and beliefs lead to positive emotions.

Answer

Negative thoughts and beliefs have no impact on emotions.

Question 5

What is a common symptom of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)?

Accepted Answer

Persistent sadness and loss of interest

Answer

Elevated mood and high energy

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a symptom of major depressive disorder?

Accepted Answer

Increased appetite

Answer

Persistent sadness or emptiness

Answer

Loss of interest in activities

Answer

Sleep disturbances

Question 7

What is the primary distinction between unipolar and bipolar disorder?

Accepted Answer

Unipolar disorder involves only depressive episodes, while bipolar disorder involves both depression and mania.

Answer

Bipolar disorder involves only manic episodes, while unipolar disorder involves both depression and mania.

Answer

There is no difference between unipolar and bipolar disorder.

Answer

Unipolar disorder is more prevalent than bipolar disorder.

Question 8

In the treatment of mood disorders, which type of therapy is commonly employed?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Answer

Dialectical behavioral therapy

Answer

Psychodynamic therapy

Answer

Humanistic therapy

Question 9

How do acute and chronic mood episodes differ?

Accepted Answer

Acute episodes are short-lived, while chronic episodes persist for an extended period.

Answer

Chronic episodes are short-lived, while acute episodes persist for an extended period.

Answer

There is no distinction between acute and chronic mood episodes.

Answer

Acute episodes are more severe than chronic episodes.

Question 10

Which of the following conditions is NOT commonly associated with mood disorders?

Accepted Answer

Cardiovascular disease

Answer

Anxiety disorders

Answer

Substance use disorders

Answer

Personality disorders

Question 11

How do neurotransmitters contribute to mood disorders?

Accepted Answer

Imbalances in neurotransmitters may contribute to symptoms of mood disorders.

Answer

Neurotransmitters do not play a role in mood disorders.

Answer

Mood disorders are solely caused by neurotransmitter imbalances.

Answer

Neurotransmitters only affect mood in individuals with bipolar disorder.

Question 12

How do neurotransmitters, especially serotonin and norepinephrine, contribute to the development and persistence of mood disorders?

Accepted Answer

Serotonin and norepinephrine are crucial neurotransmitters for mood regulation; imbalances in these neurotransmitters are linked to mood disorders.

Answer

Neurotransmitters have no role in the development of mood disorders.

Answer

Only serotonin is involved in the development of mood disorders.

Answer

Mood disorders are solely caused by psychological factors.

Question 13

Which of these treatments for mood disorders is supported by scientific evidence?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

Accepted Answer

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

Answer

Massage therapy

Question 14

Which neurochemical imbalance is commonly associated with major depressive disorder?

Accepted Answer

Reduced serotonin and norepinephrine

Answer

Elevated serotonin and dopamine

Answer

Increased cortisol and glutamate

Question 15

In treating mood disorders, how do pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions compare in terms of effectiveness? Discuss their advantages and disadvantages.

Accepted Answer

The effectiveness of pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions depends on the individual and the specific mood disorder.

Answer

Pharmacological interventions are always more effective than psychotherapeutic interventions.

Answer

Psychotherapeutic interventions are always more effective than pharmacological interventions.

Answer

Pharmacological interventions have fewer side effects than psychotherapeutic interventions.

Question 16

Which of the following is a characteristic symptom of depression?

Accepted Answer

Persistent sadness and loss of interest

Answer

Elevated mood and increased energy

Answer

Racing thoughts and impulsive behavior

Answer

Hallucinations and delusions

Question 17

Which type of therapy is commonly used as the first-line treatment for seasonal affective disorder?

Accepted Answer

Light therapy

Answer

Psychoanalysis

Answer

Cognitive-behavioral therapy

Answer

Group therapy

Question 18

What is the key difference between unipolar and bipolar depression?

Accepted Answer

Unipolar depression involves only depressive episodes, while bipolar depression involves both depressive and manic episodes.

Answer

Bipolar depression is always more severe than unipolar depression.

Answer

Unipolar depression is more common than bipolar depression.

Answer

There is no difference between unipolar and bipolar depression.

Question 19

Which medication class is primarily used to stabilize mood in bipolar disorder?

Accepted Answer

Mood stabilizers

Answer

Antidepressants

Answer

Antipsychotics

Answer

Benzodiazepines

Question 20

How do cognitive distortions contribute to the development and maintenance of mood disorders?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive distortions can lead to negative thought patterns and maladaptive behaviors that perpetuate mood symptoms.

Answer

Cognitive distortions are only present in severe cases of mood disorders.

Answer

Cognitive distortions are not related to mood disorders.

Answer

Cognitive distortions only occur in people with bipolar disorder.

Question 21

How do longitudinal research designs help us understand the progression and outcomes of mood disorders?

Accepted Answer

They track changes in symptoms and their progression over time.

Answer

They provide a snapshot of a disorder's prevalence at a specific time.

Answer

They are less biased than other research designs.

Answer

They are best suited for studying rare disorders.

Question 22

What is the main characteristic that distinguishes bipolar I disorder from bipolar II disorder?

Accepted Answer

At least one manic episode

Answer

Depressive episodes that are more severe

Answer

Rapid cycling between mania and depression

Answer

Exclusively hypomanic episodes

Question 23

Which neurotransmitter is implicated in the regulation of mood and is thought to play a role in seasonal affective disorder?

Accepted Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Epinephrine

Answer

GABA

Question 24

What type of therapy involves examining and challenging negative thought patterns to improve mood and behavior?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive-behavioral therapy

Answer

Dialectical behavior therapy

Answer

Psychodynamic therapy

Answer

Client-centered therapy

Question 25

Which medication class is commonly used as a first-line treatment for bipolar disorder to stabilize mood?

Accepted Answer

Mood stabilizers

Answer

Antidepressants

Answer

Antipsychotics

Answer

Benzodiazepines

Question 26

Which type of mood disorder is characterized by chronic, low-grade depressive symptoms that persist for at least two years?

Accepted Answer

Dysthymic disorder

Answer

Major depressive disorder

Answer

Bipolar disorder

Answer

Schizoaffective disorder

Question 27

In the ethical considerations of diagnosing and treating mood disorders, which principle holds the highest priority?

Accepted Answer

Patient's autonomy and informed consent

Answer

Clinician's personal beliefs

Answer

Societal norms and expectations

Answer

Financial resource availability

Question 28

Which of the following is a primary symptom of depression?

Accepted Answer

Difficulty concentrating

Answer

Elevated mood

Answer

Increased energy

Answer

Racing thoughts

Question 29

What is the term for persistent, low-grade depression that lasts for at least two years?

Accepted Answer

Dysthymia

Answer

Major depression

Answer

Cyclothymic disorder

Answer

Manic depression

Question 30

Which type of therapy focuses on changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

Answer

Psychoanalytic therapy

Answer

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

Answer

Medication

Question 31

What is a common environmental trigger for seasonal affective disorder (SAD)?

Accepted Answer

Changes in sunlight

Answer

Hormonal imbalances

Answer

Genetics

Answer

Trauma

Question 32

Which factor is NOT considered a risk factor for depression?

Accepted Answer

Optimistic personality traits

Answer

Genetics

Answer

Stressful life events

Answer

Low socioeconomic status

Question 33

What is a primary characteristic of a manic episode?

Accepted Answer

Euphoric mood and increased energy

Answer

Extreme sadness

Answer

Difficulty concentrating

Answer

Loss of interest in activities

Question 34

What is the recommended first-line treatment for severe depression?

Accepted Answer

Combination of medication and therapy

Answer

Medication

Answer

Therapy

Answer

Lifestyle changes

Question 35

How do mood disorders and substance use disorders interact? Explain the implications of their co-occurrence for effective treatment.

Accepted Answer

The co-occurrence of mood disorders and substance use disorders requires tailored treatment approaches that address both conditions simultaneously.

Answer

Mood disorders and substance use disorders are always separate conditions.

Answer

Mood disorders solely cause substance use disorders, and treating the mood disorder will resolve the substance use issue.

Answer

Treatment for mood disorders should only focus on addressing the mood symptoms, regardless of substance use.

Question 36

Which of the following is a key symptom of depression?

Accepted Answer

Persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness

Answer

Increased energy levels

Answer

Racing thoughts

Answer

Heightened self-esteem

Question 37

What is the defining characteristic of bipolar disorder?

Accepted Answer

Alternating periods of elevated mood (mania) and depression

Answer

Persistent feelings of guilt

Answer

Difficulty concentrating

Answer

Excessive worry

Question 38

Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with mood regulation?

Accepted Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Glutamate

Answer

Norepinephrine

Question 39

Which of these is NOT considered a risk factor for developing mood disorders?

Accepted Answer

Regular physical exercise

Answer

Genetics

Answer

Stressful life events

Answer

Drug abuse

Question 40

What is the technical term for a period of intense sadness lasting at least two weeks?

Accepted Answer

Major depressive episode

Answer

Bipolar episode

Answer

Seasonal affective disorder

Answer

Dysthymia

Question 41

What is the primary aim of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for mood disorders?

Accepted Answer

To challenge and modify negative thought patterns

Answer

To reduce stress levels

Answer

To increase self-esteem

Answer

To improve social skills

Question 42

Which type of mood disorder is characterized by seasonal variations in mood?

Accepted Answer

Seasonal affective disorder

Answer

Major depressive disorder

Answer

Bipolar disorder

Answer

Dysthymia

Question 43

When treating mood disorders in adolescents, which consideration is important?

Accepted Answer

Therapy should focus on developing coping mechanisms

Answer

Medication may be less effective

Answer

Hospitalization is often necessary

Answer

Treatment should be identical to that for adults

Question 44

Which of the following is a cardinal symptom of major depressive disorder?

Accepted Answer

Persistent depressed mood

Answer

Racing thoughts

Answer

Increased energy

Answer

Elation

Question 45

What is a characteristic feature of bipolar I disorder?

Accepted Answer

Episodes of mania or mixed episodes that last for at least one week

Answer

Hypomanic episodes only

Answer

Rapid cycling between depression and mania

Answer

Depressive episodes only

Question 46

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is primarily caused by:

Accepted Answer

Reduced exposure to sunlight

Answer

Increased stress levels

Answer

Hormonal imbalances

Answer

Genetic predisposition

Question 47

Which of the following therapies is commonly used to treat depression?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Answer

Music Therapy

Answer

Hypnosis

Answer

Psychoanalysis

Question 48

In major depressive disorder, dysregulation of which neurotransmitter system is implicated?

Accepted Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Glutamate

Question 49

Which of the following is a symptom of a manic episode?

Accepted Answer

Flight of ideas

Answer

Psychomotor retardation

Answer

Avolition

Answer

Persistent sadness

Question 50

Which type of medication is the first-line treatment for bipolar disorder?

Accepted Answer

Mood stabilizers

Answer

Antipsychotics

Answer

Antidepressants

Answer

Benzodiazepines

Question 51

What type of therapy involves training individuals to focus on the present moment and observe their thoughts and feelings without judgment?

Accepted Answer

Mindfulness-based therapy

Answer

Exposure therapy

Answer

Psychodynamic therapy

Answer

Client-centered therapy