Characteristics of Depression Flashcards
Depression
Is a mood disorder characterised by feelings of despondency and hopelessness. There are two types unipolar and bipolar
The diagnosis of depression
- At least 5 symptoms must be present every day for two weeks
- The five symptoms must include sadness or loss of interest and pleasure in normal activities
- The person will show impairment in general functioning that hasn’t been caused by other events
Behavioural characteristics of depression
Change in Activity Levels: Some people with depression experience lethargy (lack of energy) leading to reduced movement and speech. They may also withdraw from activities that were once enjoyed (anhedonia) including social withdrawal. They may also neglect personal hygiene. Other people with depression experience increased activity levels/agitation.
Disruption to Sleep: Depression is often characterised by constant insomnia whereby they have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. Alternatively they might require large amounts of sleep and they might oversleep (hypersomnia).
Disruption to Eating Behaviour: Significant increase or decrease in weight is associated with depression. Some people might eat a great deal when they are depressed and therefore put on weight. Other people have a reduced appetite and eat very little, and therefore lose weight.
Aggressive Acts: Sufferers of depression are often irritable and they can become physically or verbally aggressive. They might also be physically aggressive towards themselves in the form of self-harming, such as cutting themselves or attempting suicide
Emotional characteristics of depression
Low Mood: A key characteristic of depression is the ever present and overwhelming feelings of sadness/hopelessness and feeling empty.
Feelings of Worthlessness: Sufferers of depression often have constant feelings of reduced worth and/or inappropriate feelings of guilt. They might also experience very low levels of self-esteem.
Anger: The person might feel anger towards others, or towards themselves. Depression may arise from feelings of being hurt and wishing to retaliate.
Cognitive characteristics of depression
Thoughts of Death
Negative Schema: Depressed people often have a negative view of the world, themselves and the future. This leads to the self-fulfilling prophecy whereby if you expect negative things to happen, they will happen because you make them happen. Positive factors in their life will be ignored.
Poor Concentration: There can be difficulty in paying/maintaining attention, and the person might feel that they cannot stay on task for long periods of time. They might have slower thought processes than normal and difficulty making decisions. Depressed people will also have trouble retrieving memories
