Clinical features of depression

Question 1

How long must depressive symptoms last for to be defined as an episode of depression?

Answer 1

Most days for at least two weeks

Question 2

Core symptoms of depression (3)

Answer 2

Low mood
Anhedonia
Anergia

Question 3

What does a diagnosis of depression consist of?

Answer 3

Two core symptoms plus others:
mild- two core plus others, minimum 4
moderate- two core + others, minimum 6
severe- two core + others, minimum 8

Question 4

Additional symptoms seen in depression (8)

Answer 4

Biological symptoms: poor sleep/early wakening, appetite changes
Poor concentration and memory
Feelings of guilt
Feelings of hopelessness
Suicidality/self harm
Delusions
Hallucinations

Question 5

Types of thought content disorder in depression

Answer 5

Obsessions e.g. death

Delusions e.g. of sin, guilt, persecution

Question 6

Features of perception in depression

Answer 6

Hallucinations, usually mood congruent

Illusions

Question 7

Most common hallucinations in depression

Answer 7

Second person auditory

Question 8

Objective features of cognition in depression (3)

Answer 8

Deficits in working memory, planning and attention

Question 9

Definition of dythsmia

Answer 9

chronic depressive state of more than two years in duration, which does not meet full criteria for major depression

Question 10

Possible organic differential diagnoses

a) neurological
b) endocrine
c) haematological

Answer 10

Neurological e.g. Parkinsons
Endocrine e.g. hypothyroidism
Haematological e.g. anaemia

Question 11

Possible psychiatric differentials (5)

Answer 11

Negative symptoms of schizophrenia
Bipolar disorder
PTSD
Dementia
Hypoactive delirium