Characteristics Of Depression

Question 1

What is it?

Answer 1

• Depressed mood or irritable most of the day, nearly every day
• Decreased interest of pleasure in most activities
• Significant weight change or change in appetite
• Change in sleep
• Change in activity
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Guilt/worthless
• Diminished concentration
• Suicidality

Question 2

Behavioural characteristics of depression

Answer 2

• Activity levels: Sufferers of depression usually have reduced energy levels, which can have knock-on effects such as withdrawal from school or work
• Disruption to sleep and eating behaviour: Sufferers may experience reduced sleep or need for sleep, as well as increase or decrease to appetite
• Aggression and self-harm: Sufferers are usually irritable or aggressive. Depression can also lead to physical aggression directed at themselves, leading to self-harm

Question 3

Emotional characteristics of depression

Answer 3

• Lowered mood: Sufferers tend to feel worthless and empty
• Anger: Sufferers tend to experience more negative emotions and few positive ones for example anger. This can be directed at themselves or other
• Lowered self-esteem: Sufferers of depression tend to report reduced self-esteem, which generally involves likening themselves less than usual

Question 4

Cognitive characteristics of depression

Answer 4

• Poor concentration: Sufferers may find themselves unable to stick with a task like they usually do, or find it hard to make decisions they could usually make
• Dwelling on the negative: Sufferers tend to pay more attention to the negative aspects of a situation. They are also bias to recall unhappy events rather than happy ones
• Absolutist thinking: Sufferers tend to view a situation as all-good or all-bad