PSY-2012 Lecture Notes - Lecture 41: Falsifiability, Systematic Desensitization, Bipolar Disorder
Document Summary
At least in some respects, mood disorders are exaggerations or distortions of normal mood states. Depressive episodes: feeling sad or depressed in not uncommon, especially after losses or setbacks, at least two weeks with consistent symptoms, not the result of an isolated event. Clinical depression goes beyond this kind of expected reaction. Low reward may lead to what"s the point? : cognitivists believe that what we think affects what we feel. Cognitive triad: depressed thinking stems from negative thoughts about self, world, and future. Maladaptive interpretations: learned helplessness tendency to feel helpless in the face of events we can"t control. Biological vulnerabilities: depression (and suicide) run in families. Genetic factors (e. g. debate over stress-sensitive gene ) Shared environment: depression is associated with changes in neurotransmitter systems. Manic episode: the opposite emotional extreme, typically characterized by euphoria, grandiose self-esteem, and over-activity. Bipolar disorder usually involves both depressive and manic episodes, but only requires one manic episode for diagnosis.
