Important Questions for IGNOU PGDCFT MSCCFT MCFT002 Exam with Main Points for Answer - Unit 13

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Unit 13 Depression, Grief and Suicide

1. List important features of depression / Describe the features of clinical depression.

Following are the important features of depression:

i) Persistent sadness,

ii) Fatigue,

iii) Loss of interest or pleasure,

iv) Loss of reactivity to positive occurrences,

v) Insomnia,

vi) Early morning worsening of mood,

vii) Impaired appetite,

viii) Loss of weight,

ix) Constipation, and

x) Thoughts of worthlessness, helplessness and hopelessness.

2. List important ways in which depression affects the individual

Following are the five ways in which depression affects the individual:

i) Life appears bleak or pointless,

ii) Routine activities appear burdensome,

iii) Mental abilities lose their sharpness,

iv) There is a decline in functional abilities, and

v) Isolation occurs.

3. List sub-types of depression.

Following are the three sub-types of depression:

i) Depressive episode,

ii) Dysthymia, and

iii) Bipolar depression.

4. List important causal factors associated with the occurrence of depression.

Following are the five important casual factors associated with the occurrence of depression:

i) Genetic factors,

ii) Neurotransmitter abnormalities,

iii) Stressors and life events, and

iv) Personality predisposition

5. List important risk factors for depression.

Following are the important risk factors:

i) History of prior episode of depression,

ii) Family history of depression,

iii) History of suicide attempt,

iv) Female sex,

v) Post-partum period,

vi) Age less than 40 years,

vii) Presence of comorbid medical illness,

viii) Absence of social support,

ix) Negative stressful life events, and

x) Alcohol or substance use.

6. List major treatment modalities of depression / Describe the important treatment strategies for depression.

Following are the major treatment modalities of depression:

i) Drug treatment,

ii) Electroconvulsive therapy,

iii) Psychoeducation, and

iv) Specific psychosocial therapies.

7. List features of normal grief.

Following are the features of normal grief:

i) Sadness,

ii) Recurrent preoccupation with the dead person,

iii) Feeling of emptiness,

iv) Lack of interest,

v) Ideas of helplessness, and

vi) Guilt.

8. List the processes we go through when confronted with bereavement.

The process we go through when confronted with bereavement are:

(i) Shock,

(ii) Denial,

(iii) Anger,

(iv) Bargaining,

(v) Depression, and

(vi) Acceptance.

9. List the risk factors of abnormal grief.

Following are the risk factors of abnormal grief :

(i) Occurrence of untimely or unexpected death,

(ii) Death occurring away from the bereaved,

(iii) Death of a young persons,

(iv) Presence of an enmeshed relationship between the deceased and the bereaved, and

(v) Presence of a personality disorder or other psychological problems in the bereaved.

10. How is grief different from depression?

The main differences between depression and grief are listed below:

(i) Sadness is pervasive in depression and non-pervasive in grief,

(ii) Biological and cognitive symptoms are more common in depression than in grief,

(iii) Preoccupation with suicide occurs in depression, preoccupation with the dead person occurs with grief,

(iv) Slowing is not common in grief, and

(v) Cognitive and melancholic symptoms occur more in depression than in grief.

11. What is the meaning of ‘intentionality’ and ‘lethality’?

Intentionality denotes the will or drive to commit the suicidal act, whereas lethality refers to the likelihood of a method ending in a lethal outcome.

12. List major theories of suicide.

Following are the major theories of suicide:

(i) Biological theories of abnormal neurotransmitters and genetics,

(ii) Psychoanalytical theories, and

(iii) Sociological theories.

13. List important risk factors for suicide / Describe the factors associated or linked to the causation of suicide.

Following are the important risk factors for suicides:

i) Male gender,

ii) Elderly age,

iii) Presence of psychiatric disorders like depression,

iv) Past suicide attempts, and

v) Access to lethal means.

14. Give examples of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention strategy with reference to suicide.

The examples of primary prevention strategy are public education and increasing awareness about suicide.
The example of secondary prevention strategy are intervention programmes for specific risk groups.
The examples of tertiary prevention intervention strategy is targeting the past attempters.

15. What is postvention?

Postvention deals with reducing the effects of a traumatic event like completed suicide on the survivors.

16. Describe the differences between normal grief and abnormal grief.

Normal grief is a process of adaptation and healing following the loss of a loved one. It typically unfolds in stages, starting with shock and disbelief, followed by intense emotional distress and preoccupation with the deceased. Over time, the individual gradually accepts the loss, reintegrates into daily life, and establishes new relationships. While sadness, crying, sleep disturbances, and appetite changes are common, these symptoms gradually diminish. The duration of normal grief varies but generally resolves within a few months.
Abnormal grief deviates from this normative process. The grieving process may be prolonged or distorted, with intense symptoms persisting beyond the expected timeframe. Individuals might experience persistent preoccupation with the deceased, a sense of their continued presence, or ritualistic behaviours denying the loss (mummification). Anniversary reactions, marked by the recurrence of intense grief on the death anniversary, can also occur. Importantly, abnormal grief can lead to significant psychopathology, including depression and even psychotic symptoms.

17. Describe the measures needed to handle abnormal grief.

In the case of abnormal grief the interventions may need to be more vigorous.
If there is depression or psychosis, appropriate medication and other physical treatments may be required.
In addition, several innovative psychotherapeutic techniques have been tried in abnormal grief and found effective in different cultural settings.
The central theme of these psychotherapies is a process of taking the bereaved through the stages of grief in a culturally authentic manner, help them adjust to the loss and reintegrate them for normal functioning.
The therapy may take several sessions and may adopt dynamic, cognitive, directive and other theories or an eclectic mix of these.
Grief therapy may be possible in a group setting also when deemed necessary. It needs to be reiterated that whatever the type of therapy done, it should be rooted in the religio-cultural practices of the bereaved individual.

18. Describe the measures to be taken when confronting a person who has attempted suicide.

When encountering a person who has attempted suicide, the immediate priority is ensuring their safety and seeking professional medical help. Call emergency services immediately. While waiting for help to arrive:

Assess the situation: Determine the method used and the severity of the attempt.
Provide basic first aid if necessary: Do not attempt to move the person unless there is immediate danger.
Stay calm and reassuring: Speak in a soothing tone and offer support without judgment. Let them know help is on the way.
Remove potential means of harm: If safe to do so, remove any objects that could be used for further self-harm.

Once the person is receiving medical care, it's crucial to facilitate a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. This evaluation will help determine the underlying factors contributing to the attempt and inform a tailored treatment plan.

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