case 14 - low mood Flashcards
what is depression?
persistent feelings of unhappiness and hopelessness, losing interest in the things you used to enjoy and feeling very tearful
what do people with depression commonly present with?
anxiety
what are the symptoms of depression?
constant feeling of tiredness
poor sleep
lack of appetite
low libido
aches and pains
persistent low mood
feelingsof hopelessness and low slef-esteem
lack of energy
what is the spectrum of depression?
mild to very severe
mild = persistently low in spirits
very severe = suicidal thoughts
what are the causes of depression?
sometimes, there is a trigger (i.e. bereavement, losing your job, giving birth etc)
family history of depression
how is depression treated?
lifestyle changes (Exercise, self-help groups)
talking therapies (e.g. CBT)
medication (e.g. antidepressants)
how is the form of treatment determined?
the level of depression diagnosed (mild, moderate, severe)
what is ‘watchful waiting’?
waiting to see if mild depression improves on its own
what is the action plan for mild depression?
watchful waiting = waiting to see if mild depression improves on its own
what is the action plan for moderate depression?
often talking therapies (e.g. CBT)
what is the action plan for severe depression?
referred to a specialist mental health term for intensive specialist talking treatments
prescribed medicine
what are the common lifestyle changes that are made by people with depression?
increased exercise
cutting down on alcohol
smoking cessation
balanced diet
(reading a self-help book, joining a support group)
what is the biopsychosocial model?
suggests that biological, psychological and social factors are all interlinked and important with regard to promoting health or causing disease
according to the biopsychosocial model, what is the relationship between the mind and body?
connected and interdependent things
what affects the body will often affect the mind; and vice versa, what affects the mind will also often end up affecting the body
what do wellness and illness refer to?
not just physical state, but also psychological and social status too
how is the biopsychosocial model used?
to explain phenomena such as depression by examining all relevant biological, psychological, and social factors that might be contributing to the development or maintenance of the disorder
what is the biological dysfunction that occurs in depression?
significantly disturbed with regard to endocrine (hormone), immune, and neurotransmitter system functioning
what is the relationship between physical disorders and depression?
depression can make a person more vulnerable to developing a range of physical disorders
a person who has a physical disorder is often more likely to develop depression
why is a family history of depression important?
genes can influence transmission of depression from generation to generation
what are the psychological factors that affect depression?
characteristic negative patterns of thinking, deficits in coping skills, judgment problems, and impaired emotional intelligence
what are some social factors that can cause depression?
experiencing traumatic situations, early separation, lack of social support, or harassment (bullying)
how can a social stressor trigger a physical cause of depression?
stressful social events are capable of serving as triggers for turning genes on and off, causing changes in brain functioning
= leading to depression
what is the DSM-V?
descriptive manual for assessment and diagnosis of mental disorders (i.e. listing disorders and their presentations)
used in the NICE guidelines
what is the ICD?
catergorise diseases, health-related conditions, and external causes of disease and injury in order to be able to compile useful statistics in mortality and morbidity
include physical health disorders as well as mental ones















