Depression & Anxiety

What is the key difference between sadness and depression?

• ADepression is caused by external events
• BSadness is a temporary emotion; depression is a persistent condition lasting weeks affecting daily functioning✓
• CThere is no difference
• DSadness only occurs after loss

Answer: While sadness is a normal emotion in response to events, clinical depression is a sustained mental health condition that persists for at least 2 weeks and significantly impacts daily life.

Which of the following is a core symptom of depression according to diagnostic criteria?

• AIncreased energy levels and a reduced need for sleep over several weeks
• BExcessive happiness
• CPersistent low mood or loss of interest/pleasure in activities✓
• DImproved concentration and a sharper memory over the course of several weeks

Answer: Core symptoms of depression include persistent depressed mood and anhedonia (loss of interest or pleasure in activities), along with symptoms like fatigue, sleep disturbance, and difficulty concentrating.

What is 'anhedonia' in the context of depression?

• AExcessive worry about the future and about things that might go wrong
• BLoss of appetite only, with no change in mood or in daily activity
• CInability to feel pleasure in activities once enjoyed✓
• DFear of leaving home or of being in places that feel difficult to escape from

Answer: Anhedonia is the loss of ability to experience pleasure, so someone may lose interest in hobbies, socialising, or other activities they previously enjoyed.

What is Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

• AAnxiety that arises only in the run-up to social situations such as parties, meetings or presentations
• BPersistent, excessive worry about multiple aspects of daily life lasting at least 6 months✓
• CFear of specific objects or situations, such as spiders, heights or flying, that is out of all proportion
• DSudden episodes of intense panic that come without warning and reach a peak within a few minutes

Answer: GAD involves persistent worry about various aspects of life (work, health, finances, etc.) that is difficult to control and lasts at least 6 months.

Which of the following is true about panic attacks?

• AThey only occur in crowded places
• BThey feel terrifying but are not physically dangerous; symptoms peak and then subside✓
• CThey are dangerous and can cause a heart attack
• DThey indicate a serious physical health emergency

Answer: Panic attacks involve intense anxiety symptoms that feel very frightening, but they are not physically dangerous. Symptoms typically peak within 10 minutes and gradually subside.

What is Social Anxiety Disorder?

• AInability to make friends
• BDisliking parties
• CIntense fear of social situations where one might be judged, resulting in avoidance✓
• DShyness in all social situations, including with close family and long-standing friends

Answer: Social Anxiety Disorder involves intense fear of social situations due to concern about being judged or embarrassed, leading to significant avoidance and distress.

What does OCD stand for?

• AObsessive-Compulsive Disorder✓
• BObsessive Concern Disorder
• CObsessive Compulsive Obsession
• DOrganised Compulsive Disorder

Answer: OCD stands for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, characterised by unwanted intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or mental acts (compulsions) performed to reduce anxiety.

Which statement about OCD is accurate?

• AOCD compulsions are always visible to others, so the condition can be spotted just by watching someone
• BOCD is a personality preference
• CPeople with OCD are just very organised
• DOCD obsessions and compulsions cause significant distress and take up considerable time✓

Answer: OCD is a serious condition where obsessions and compulsions cause significant distress and can take hours daily. It's not about organisation preferences.

What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

• AFear of all stressful situations
• BAnxiety that lasts a few hours
• CNormal stress after a busy day
• DA condition developing after exposure to trauma, with symptoms like flashbacks, hypervigilance, and avoidance✓

Answer: PTSD develops after exposure to traumatic events and involves intrusive memories/flashbacks, avoidance, negative mood/cognition changes, and hyperarousal symptoms.

How long should depression symptoms persist before professional help should be considered?

• AAfter two or three days of low mood
• BIt is never necessary to seek help, because low mood always lifts on its own
• CAfter 2 weeks or more✓
• DAfter 6 months

Answer: Diagnostic criteria generally involve symptoms lasting at least 2 weeks. If someone's symptoms significantly impact their daily life, they should seek help regardless of duration.

What are physical symptoms of anxiety?

• AOnly a high temperature, which settles again once the anxious episode has passed
• BOnly steady weight gain over several months, with no other bodily changes of any kind
• CRacing heart, sweating, trembling, difficulty breathing, and chest tightness✓
• DThey do not exist; anxiety is purely psychological and produces no bodily symptoms at all

Answer: Anxiety has significant physical symptoms including increased heart rate, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, dizziness, and gastrointestinal distress.

What is the relationship between depression and anxiety?

• AThey never occur together, because a person can only have one mental health condition
• BThey often co-occur; someone can experience depression with anxiety features✓
• CAnxiety always causes depression, which never develops on its own in any person
• DDepression always causes anxiety, and anxiety never appears unless depression came first

Answer: Depression and anxiety frequently occur together. Many people experience comorbid depression and anxiety, which may require integrated treatment approaches.

What does 'low self-esteem' mean in the context of depression?

• APersistent negative self-perception and belief in one's worthlessness✓
• BProfessional self-doubt only
• CLacking confidence in social situations
• DTemporary sadness about personal achievements

Answer: Low self-esteem in depression involves deeply held negative beliefs about oneself, often including feelings of worthlessness, inadequacy, and harsh self-criticism.

How does depression affect cognitive function?

• AIt improves memory and concentration because the person spends more time thinking things over
• BIt doesn't affect cognition
• CIt causes difficulty concentrating, poor memory, and slower thought processes✓
• DIt only affects mood, not thinking

Answer: Depression commonly causes cognitive symptoms including difficulty concentrating, memory problems, slow thinking, and poor decision-making.

What is 'catastrophising' in anxiety?

• AAutomatically assuming the worst possible outcome will happen✓
• BBeing unusually organised and preparing carefully for every eventuality
• CBeing realistic about dangers and planning sensibly for things that might go wrong
• DAvoiding any planning for the future

Answer: Catastrophising is a cognitive distortion where someone automatically assumes the worst-case scenario will occur, which is common in anxiety disorders.

What is sleep disturbance in depression?

• ASleeping too much only, never less than usual, and always waking refreshed
• BEither sleeping significantly more or less, or non-restorative sleep✓
• CNormal sleep patterns
• DSleeping too little only, since sleeping more than usual is never part of depression

Answer: Depression can cause insomnia (sleeping too little), hypersomnia (sleeping too much), or non-restorative sleep where the person doesn't feel rested.

How should a Mental Health First Aider respond to someone experiencing an anxiety attack?

• ALeave them alone immediately
• BStay calm, offer reassurance, help with breathing exercises, and provide supportive environment✓
• CCall an ambulance immediately
• DTell them to 'calm down' and get over it

Answer: Appropriate response includes staying with the person, reassuring them they are safe, helping with slow breathing, and validating their experience.

What is the difference between worry and a phobia?

• ABoth describe the same condition, only at different levels of severity
• BWorry is far more serious than a phobia and always needs medical treatment, whereas a phobia never needs any professional help at all
• CWorry is excessive thinking about future events; phobia is intense fear of specific objects/situations causing avoidance✓
• DPhobia is just another word for worry

Answer: Worry involves persistent thoughts about potential future problems, while a phobia is intense, irrational fear of a specific thing that leads to avoidance.

Which treatment approaches are effective for depression and anxiety in the UK?

• AOnly medication, since talking therapies are not offered on the NHS for these conditions
• BTalking therapies (like CBT), medication, lifestyle changes, and often a combination✓
• CDepression and anxiety have to run their course; medication and talking therapy make no difference
• DOnly talking therapy, because medication is not recommended for depression or anxiety in the UK

Answer: Effective treatment for depression and anxiety often involves a combination of approaches including psychological therapies (CBT, counseling), medication, and lifestyle factors.

When should someone with depression or anxiety seek professional help?

• ADepression and anxiety always resolve on their own if a person simply waits long enough
• BWhen symptoms are causing distress or affecting daily life, or if persistent✓
• COnly if a close relative has had the same condition, since the risk is otherwise very low
• DOnly when symptoms become extremely severe and the person can no longer leave the house

Answer: Professional help should be sought when symptoms are significantly impacting daily life, relationships, or wellbeing, or if symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks.