Question

Cole spends a few weeks being treated for major depressive disorder. He eventually stops exhibiting symptoms, but a few months later they reoccur. Once again the symptoms dissipate, but a few months later they reoccur. Cole's major depressive disorder is ________?

asymptomatic
limited in duration to a few weeks
reoccurring every few months Difficulty: ModerateAPA Standard: 1.1, 2.2
episodic

Answer 1

Cole spends a few weeks being treated for major depressive disorder. He eventually stops exhibiting symptoms, but a few months later they reoccur. Once again the symptoms dissipate, but a few months later they reoccur. Cole's major depressive disorder is recurrent and intermittent.

Cole's major depressive disorder is characterized by the following features:

1. Recurrent: Cole experiences multiple episodes of major depressive disorder, with symptoms reoccurring after periods of remission.

2. Recurrence Pattern: The episodes of major depressive disorder occur in a recurrent pattern, meaning they happen more than once over time.

3. Intermittent: Cole's symptoms dissipate or go into remission between episodes, which means he has periods when he feels better before the symptoms reoccur.

4. Chronic or Persistent: If Cole's depressive episodes last for two years or more without a full remission of symptoms, it may be classified as chronic major depressive disorder. However, it's not clear from the information provided whether Cole's disorder meets this criterion.

Overall, Cole's major depressive disorder can be described as recurrent and intermittent, with episodes of depression followed by periods of relative wellness before the symptoms return.

The complete question is here:

Cole spends a few weeks being treated for major depressive disorder. He eventually stops exhibiting symptoms, but a few months later they reoccur. Once again the symptoms dissipate, but a few months later they reoccur. Cole's major depressive disorder is ________?

Answer 2

Cole's major depressive disorder is episodic, caused by recurrent periods of depressive symptoms that come and go over time, and it can be treated with psychotherapy and antidepressants.

Step-by-step explanation:

Cole's experiences with major depressive disorder symptoms that appear, dissipate, and then reappear over time can be described as episodic. Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a complex mental illness that may involve recurrent depressive episodes separated by periods of remission, where the individual feels better and may not experience symptoms. The symptoms that Cole experiences, such as depressed mood, loss of interest, and changes in sleep and appetite, are part of the diagnostic criteria for MDD. Treatments include psychotherapy and antidepressants, which aim to improve synaptic coupling and neurotransmitter levels, thereby reducing depressive symptoms.