Depression

Question 1

What is dysporia?

Answer 1

An unusually elevated sad mood. An essential element of major depressive disorder.

Question 2

What is major depressive disorder?

Answer 2

It’s a disorder that is characterized by time-limited major depressive epizodes, during which the person experiences dysphoria.

The duration of depressive symptoms (5 or more, one of them being depressive mood or loss of interest) should last at least 2 weeks or more.

Question 3

How does major depressive disorder differ from normative sadness?

Answer 3

• One key difference is the duration of depressive symptoms (5 or more, one of them being depressive mood or loss of interest). If the duration is 2 weeks or more, it is more likely to be MDD and should seek professional help.
• Another key difference is daily functioning impact: with MDD, the individual’s ability to fulfil their daily obligations (work, school, etc.) is severely impaired. With normative sadness, the individual may experience slight impact but they can still function normally.
• Lastly, another difference is the trigger: with MDD, there can be no specific trigger that caused it. With normative sadness, there typically is a trigger (e.g. failure or disappointment) that caused it, and after a while the individual learns to cope or adapt to the situation.

Question 4

What is dysthymia?

Answer 4

It’s a disorder of prolonged, persistent depressive mood (at least 2 years), however, it doesn’t have the other symptoms that would allow it to qualify as major depressive disorder.

Question 5

Symptoms of MDD

Answer 5

Mood symptoms
- Depressive mood (2 weeks or more)
- Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Feelings of meaninglessness
- Irritability

Cognitive symptoms
- Difficulties with concentration and memory
- Interpretation of neutral events affected by sad mood

Motivational and behavioral symptoms
- Lack of energy
- Slower psychomotor skills, slower thinking
- Difficulty with decision-making

Affective symptoms
- Affective withdrawal (lack of emotions)
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Self-devaluation
- Shame

Social symptoms
- Social withdrawal
- Social situations are seen as demanding
- Perception of oneself as uninteresting

Question 6

What is the cognitive theory of Aaron Beck?

Answer 6

Beck’s cognitive theory attributes major depressive disorder to “cognitive triad”:
- Negative self-perception
- Negative perception of the world
- Negative perception of the future (hopelessness)

Beck identified the following negative patterns of distorted thinking:
- “All or nothing” or “black/white” mindset
- Overgeneralization
- Personalization
- Catastrophizing

Beck introduces the concept of negative schemas, which are core beliefs that the individual develops from their past experiences. These schemas have a lasting impact on the formation of negative automatic thoughts.

Automatic thoughts are rapid thoughts that occur in response to situations or events.