3 & 4. Depression and OCD

Question 1

What is major depressive disorder ?

Answer 1

Severe but often short term depression

Question 2

What is persistent depressive disorder?

Answer 2

Long term or recurring depression, including major depression

Question 3

What is disruptive mood dysregulation disorder ?

Answer 3

Childhood temper tantrums

Question 4

What is premenstrual dysphoric disorder ?

Answer 4

Disruption to mood prior to and/or during menstruation

Question 5

What are the behavioural characteristics of depression ?

Answer 5

Activity levels
- lethargic, can’t get out of bed or psychomotor agitation where they struggle to relax
Disruption to sleep and eating behaviour
- insomnia, Hypersomnia, appetite may increase or decrease
Aggression and self harm
- irritable, verbally or physically aggressive at others or at themselves

Question 6

What are the emotional characteristics of depression?

Answer 6

Lowered mood
- empty, worthless feeling
Anger
- can lead to aggression and self harm
Lowered self esteem
- self loathing

Question 7

What are the cognitive characteristics of depression?

Answer 7

Poor concentration 
- hard to do usual tasks 
Attending to and dwelling on the negative 
- pay attention to negativity 
Absolutist thinking
- black and white thinking

Question 8

What is OCD ?

Answer 8

A condition characterised by obsessions and/or compulsive behaviour

Question 9

What are the behavioural characteristics of OCD ?

Answer 9

• Compulsions are repetitive
• Compulsions temporarily reduce anxiety
• avoiding situations that trigger anxiety

Question 10

What are the emotional characteristics of OCD ?

Answer 10

Anxiety and distress
-urge to repeat behaviour creates anxiety
Accompanying depression
- low mood and lack of enjoyment
Guilt and disgust
- irrational guilty or disgust at themselves

Question 11

What are cognitive characteristics of OCD ?

Answer 11

Obsessive thoughts
- always unpleasant
Cognitive strategies to deal with depression
- praying, meditating
Insight to excessive anxiety
- aware of irrational obsessions and compulsions, hyper vigilance, worst case scenarios