Depression

Question 1

What are behavioural characteristics of depression?

Answer 1

Activity levels

• Have reduced levels of energy makign them lethargic e.g cannot get out of bed

Disruption to sleep and eating behaviour

• Reduced sleep (insomnia) or increased (hyperinsomnia). Appetite and weight may incresse or decrease

Agression or self harm

• Its associated wiht irratibility and this may extend to aggression and self-harm

Question 2

What are emotional characteristics of depression?

Answer 2

Lowered mood

• People with depression describe themselves as “worthless” or “empty”

Anger

• Such emotions lead to aggression or self harming behaviour

Lowered self esteem

• The person likes themselves less, even self loathing

Question 3

What are cognitive characteristics of depression?

Answer 3

Poor concentration

• The person may find themselves unable to stick with a task, or might find simple decision making difficult

Attention to the negative

• Depressed people have bias towards focusing on negative aspects of current situations and recalling unhappy (instead of happy) memories

Absolutist thinking

• “Black and white” thinking when a situation is unfortunate it is seen as an absolute disaster