Depression Flashcards
What are the 2 types of depression?
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Dysthymia (Persistent Depressive Disorder PDD).
What is Major Depressive Disorder? AKA Clinical depression, Major Depression, Unipolar Disorder, Unipolar
Depression, or Recurrent Depression in repeated episodes?
Depression is an illness characterized by persistent sadness and a loss
of interest in activities that were normally enjoyed, accompanied by
an inability to carry out daily activities, for at least two weeks.
A certain number of the following symptoms (typically > five) must be
present for most of the day, for most days:
Changes in Thinking:
* Negative thoughts, difficulty concentrating, remembering, making
decisions, pessimism.
* Thoughts of death or suicide (70% of the 4000 suicides a year in UK
are people suffering from depression and 15% of all depressives
eventually commit suicide).
Changes in Feelings
* Persistent sadness, unhappiness or “empty” mood.
* Hopelessness, worthlessness, helplessness.
* Feelings of guilt.
Changes in Behaviour:
* Loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities.
* Suicide attempts.
* Restlessness, irritability.
* Frequent bouts of crying.
Changes in Physical Well Being:
* Lethargy and fatigue.
* Sleeping more or less, Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or
oversleeping.
* A change in appetite.
* Physical discomfort and persistent physical symptoms that do not
respond to treatment.
What is Dysthymia aka Mild, Chronic Depression?
Dysthymia is less severe and has fewer symptoms than Major Depression, but
these can linger for longer periods, often > 2 years. People who suffer with
dysthymia can also experience periods of Major Depression – called ‘Double
Depression’.
A certain number of the following symptoms (typically > five) must be present for
most of the day, for most days:
* Sadness or depressed mood most of the day or almost every day.
* Loss of enjoyment in things that were once pleasurable.
* Major change in weight (gain or loss of more than 5% of weight within a
month) or appetite.
* Insomnia or excessive sleep almost every day.
* Being physically restless or rundown in a way that is noticeable by others.
* Fatigue or loss of energy almost every day.
* Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness or excessive guilt almost every
day.
* Problems with concentration or making decisions almost every day.
* Recurring thoughts of death or suicide, suicide plan, or suicide attempt.
What is Bipolar depression?
Bipolar Depression:
Bipolar disorder is a condition in which people experience abnormally elevated
(manic or hypomanic) and abnormally depressed states for a period of time in
a way that interferes with functioning.
What distinguishes bipolar disorder from major depression is the presence of at
least one manic episode although most people who have one manic episode
have additional episodes in the future.
What are the biological risk factors for depression?
Glandular fever, influenza or other illnesses
* Chronic disabling or painful illness
* Excessive alcohol
* Postpartum
* Genetic
* Following life-threatening or mutilating surgery
* Poor nourishment
* Chemical Imbalances
What are the psychological risk factors for depression?
Having experienced rejection in childhood
*Setting unattainable high standard for self or others
*Suffering chronic anxiety
What are the social risk factors for depression?
Unemployment
*Coming from an economically poor background
*A recent setback
*Being unable to confide in spouse or partner
*Having several young children at home
*Being socially isolated! – Covid 19
What are causes and risk factors that contribute to depression in older adults and
the elderly?
Health problems.
* Loneliness and isolation.
* Reduced sense of purpose eg retirement.
* Fears and recent bereavements – spouse, friends.
* Chronic pain.
* Moving home – retirement / care home.
What are depression red flags in the elderly?
Recognizing depression in the elderly starts with knowing the signs and
symptoms. Depression red flags include:
* Fatigue.
* Abandoning or losing interest in hobbies or other pleasurable pastimes.
* Social withdrawal and isolation (reluctance to be with friends, engage in
activities, or leave home).
* Weight loss or loss of appetite.
* Sleep disturbances (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, oversleeping,
or daytime sleepiness).
* Loss of self-worth (worries about being a burden, feelings of
worthlessness, self-loathing).
* Increased use of alcohol or other drugs.
physical
complaints, such as arthritis pain or worsening headaches, are often the
predominant symptom of depression in the elderly
Why is depression looked over in the elderly?
Unfortunately, all too many depressed seniors fail to recognize the symptoms of
depression, or don’t take the steps to get the help they need. There are many
reasons depression in older adults and the elderly is so often overlooked:
* They may assume they have good reason to be down or that depression is just
part of aging.
* They may be isolated - which in itself can lead to depression - with few around
to notice their distress.
* They may not realize that their physical complaints are signs of depression.
* They may be reluctant to talk about their feelings or ask for help.
Diagnosis is also complicated by the increased incidence of medical conditions
associated with age as well as Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Since
depression and dementia share many similar symptoms, including memory
problems, sluggish speech and movements, and low motivation, it can be difficult
to tell the two apart.
What is depression like in children and adolescents?
Depression can be under diagnosed in children and adolescents because:
* Healthcare professionals try to avoid labeling a young person with a
mental illness diagnosis prematurely.
* Some symptoms of depression (changes in appetite, disinterest in
previously enjoyed activities and mood swings) can be typical of the
teenage developmental stage.
Risk factors -
Social rejection
* Family turmoil
* Failing exams
* Getting into trouble at school or with the police
* Fighting or breaking up with a boyfriend or a girlfriend
* Fighting with friends
* History of physical or sexual abuse
* Poor communication with parents
* Incarceration
* Lack of access or unwillingness to seek mental health treatment
What is long night depression? (SAD)
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which only occurs during winter and
is due to lack of sunlight.
Main theory is that a lack of sunlight might stop the hypothalamus in the brain
working properly, which may affect the:
* Production of melatonin ↑ (↑sleep)
* Production of serotonin ↓ (mood, appetite, sleep)
* Body’s internal clock (circadian rhythm)
Symptoms of SAD can include:
* a persistent low mood
* a loss of pleasure or interest in normal everyday activities
* irritability
* feelings of despair, guilt and worthlessness
* feeling lethargic (lacking in energy) and sleepy during the day
* sleeping for longer than normal and finding it hard to get up in the morning
* craving carbohydrates and gaining weight.
For some people, these symptoms can be severe and have a significant impact
on their day-to-day activities.
According to the NHS, almost 1 in 50 people in the UK has the condition
What is Genograms – A BPS family tree?
A genogram is a family map or history that uses special symbols to describe
relationships, major events, and the dynamics of a family over multiple
generations.
* It goes beyond a traditional family tree by allowing the user to analyse
hereditary patterns and psychological factors that punctuate relationships.
* Mental health and medical professionals often use genograms to identify
patterns of mental and physical illness.
* The genogram maps out relationships and traits that may otherwise be
missed on a pedigree chart.
* Genograms were first developed and popularized in clinical settings by
Monica McGoldrick and Randy Gerson through the publication of a book in
1985
