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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. From Job to Styron's day, he says artists and writers have been trying to do what?
(a) Build better relationships to overcome depression.
(b) Overcome the effects of depression that overcome artists.
(c) Cheer up people who suffer from depression with their works.
(d) Explain the blackness of the fantasia of depression.

2. How does Styron explain his approach to his self-destruction?
(a) It was fully deserved.
(b) Melodramatic, one part of him the actor, and one part of him the audience.
(c) He knew he would hurt his wife, but had to do it.
(d) He was going to choose a painless method.

3. Styron dates the onset of his deep depression to what event?
(a) His wife's leaving him.
(b) His inability to drink alcohol.
(c) His chilren all leaving home.
(d) The death of several of his friends.

4. How does Styron indicate he was planning to die?
(a) He sends his wife away for a time so he would be alone.
(b) He revises his will and tries to write a goodbye letter.
(c) He dresses nicely for the person who will find him.
(d) He gathers a knife and some towels.

5. To what does Styron compare medical treatment for depression?
(a) To a child's early life.
(b) To fighting infection before the discovery of penicillin.
(c) To the early evolution of dinosaurs.
(d) To cancer treatment.

6. What effect does the failure of medicines to act quickly have on the depressed person?
(a) It keeps them in a state of anxiety and hopelessness.
(b) They get better even though the medicines don't work.
(c) They give up and do something different.
(d) Many of them commit suicide.

7. What is Styron's reaction to being admitted to the hospital?
(a) He is afraid his wife will leave him.
(b) He is depressed about it.
(c) He is afraid his friends will desert him.
(d) He feels safe for the first time since he became depressed.

8. What note does Styron want to copy for his goodbye letter?
(a) "I am sorry for any pain I cause. My pain is greater."
(b) "No more words; an act. I'll never write again."
(c) "This is the end. Don't mourn."
(d) "Life is no longer worth it."

9. What does Styron say about people who survive a depressive episode?
(a) They are weak people who just happened to endure an episode.
(b) They are very strong people but succumb to a weakness.
(c) They come out with few permanent wounds.
(d) They are permanently damaged mentally.

10. What does Styron say family and friends should continue to do for the depressed person?
(a) Watch them constantly to prevent suicide.
(b) Validate their worth and sense of self.
(c) Make them talk about their problems.
(d) Tell them to cheer up and get over it.

11. In addition to anxiety, what other characteristic of depression becomes manifest?
(a) Incessant talking.
(b) Argumentative with family and friends.
(c) An inability to be still, constantly moving.
(d) Deep, dark imaginings.

12. What does Styron's psychiatrist do that sends him into a deep depression?
(a) Puts him in the hospital.
(b) Tells him he was never going to recover.
(c) Tells him he would have to wait ten days before starting his new medicine, and then it would take 6-8 weeks to work.
(d) Tells him to leave his wife if he wanted to get better.

13. What new approach does Styron's psychiatrist use?
(a) Pharmacological, without physical and mental support.
(b) DSM recommendations.
(c) Psychoanalysis.
(d) Disattachment therapy.

14. What does Styron say would prevent many suicides?
(a) Someone to watch the depressed person at all times.
(b) Strong support from family, friends, and professionsals.
(c) Stronger medicines.
(d) Immediate hospitalization.

15. What does he think about art therapy?
(a) A waste of time.
(b) Skeptical because of the teacher's overly effusive praise, but eventually likes it.
(c) He would rather write than paint or draw.
(d) Too difficult hard.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the phenomenon in which young victims of loss harbor guilt and rage for their entire lives?

2. According to Styron, what is the touchstone of depression?

3. What happens when Styron's medicine is changed?

4. What is Styron's first dream in many months?

5. Who does Styron compare his psychiatrist to?

(see the answer keys)

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