characteristics of depression Flashcards
list the behavioural characteristics of depression
activity levels, disruption to sleep and eating behaviour, aggression or self-harm
describe activity levels as a behavioural characteristic depression
tend to have low energy, tend to withdraw from work and social life, some cannot get out of bed, some experience the opposite and struggle to relax (psychomotor agitation)
what is psychomotor agitation
when activity levels are high and they struggle to relax
describe disruption to sleep and eating behaviour as a behavioural characteristic of depression
reduced sleep or sleep too much (hypersomnia). appetite may increase or decrease
describe aggression or self harm as a behavioural characteristic of depression
can be irritable, verbally and physically aggressive. can end up self harming or attempting to commit suicide
list the emotional characteristics of depression
lowered mood, anger, low self esteem
describe lowered mood as an emotional characteristic of depression
more severe than just having a bad day, may feel worthless or empty
describe anger as an emotional characteristic of depression
directed at themselves or others, could lead to self-harming
describe low self esteem as an emotional characteristic of depression
like themselves less than they used to, some even express that they hate themselves
list the cognitive characteristics of depression
poor concentration, dwelling on the negative, absolutist thinking
describe poor concentration as a cognitive characteristic of depression
find it hard to stay on task and make decisions. this can interfere with their work
describe dwelling on the negative as a cognitive characteristic of depression
tend to ignore the positives in a situation and focus on the negatives. bias towards recalling unhappy events
describe absolutist thinking as a cognitive characteristic of depression
tend to look at things in a black and white way, instead of thinking things are unfortunate they will see it as an absolute disaster (catastrophising)
