Crash Course Psychology #30: Depressive and Bipolar Disorders

Define mood disorders and distinguish depressive disorders from ordinary emotions and normal sadness.

Explain how the DSM-V diagnoses major depressive disorder and describe its symptoms.

Describe how brain activity and neurotransmitter levels (norepinephrine, serotonin) differ between depressive and manic states.

Evaluate whether positive thinking alone is sufficient to address a mood disorder, based on the episode's explanation of genetic and neurological factors.

Play the linked Crash Course episode in full before assigning the questions, since every question is drawn directly from its content.

Use the teacher answer key to check for the specific distinctions the episode draws (e.g., moods vs. emotions, normal sadness vs. depression) rather than accepting any related answer.

Because the topic covers depression and bipolar disorder directly, consider previewing the content and available support resources with your class or school counselor before assigning it.

Use either the Word or PDF version depending on whether you want students typing answers directly into the document.

Scientific vocabulary application — students define and differentiate terms such as mood disorder, depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder as presented in the episode.

Diagnostic-criteria comprehension — students explain how the DSM-V diagnoses major depressive disorder.

Neuroscience concept application — students describe how brain activity and neurotransmitter levels differ between depressive and manic states.

Critical evaluation — students assess the episode's claim that positive thinking alone is often inadequate against genetic or neurological factors.