Behavioural characteristics of depression

Question 1

What are activity levels?

Answer 1

• Sufferers of depression have reduced levels of energy, making them lethargic.
• They tend to withdraw from work, education and social life. In extreme cases, this can be so severe that they cannot get out of bed.
• It can lead to psychomotor agitation in which individuals struggle to relax and may end up pacing up and down a room.

Question 2

What is Disruption to sleep and eating behaviour?

Answer 2

• Depression is associated with changes to sleeping behaviour which includes reduced sleep (insomnia), particularly premature waking, or an increased need for sleep (hypersomnia).

Question 3

Aggression and self-harm?

Answer 3

• Sufferers of depression are often irritable, and in some cases, they can become verbally or physically aggressive.
• This can have serious knock-on effects on a number of aspects of their life (ending a relationship or quitting a job).
• Depression can also lead to physical aggression directed against the self. This includes self-harm, often in the form of cutting, or suicide attemps.