Depression

Question 1

What is depression?

Answer 1

Clinical syndrome distinct from sadness
Impairment in daily functioning
Pervasive feeling of loss/ e,princess, entrapment, worthlessness & hopelessness
Physiological, emotional, cognitive-motivational, behavioural and social symptoms interacting

Question 2

What is the epistemology of depression?

Answer 2

280 million people worldwide
5% adults have depression
Lifetime prevalence of 2-21%
10-15% chronic depression, 35-60% stable recovery
>50% chance of reoccurring if one major episode

Question 3

Why should caution be taken before a diagnosis?

Answer 3

Criticisms of over pathologising/ medicalising disorders, neglecting socio-cultural context

Question 4

What are the 2 diagnostic categories?

Answer 4

ICD-11 (WHO)
DSM-5-TR

Question 5

What are other syndromes including depression?

Answer 5

Seasonal affective disorder
Psychotic depression
Post-natal depression
Adjustment disorder (reactive depression)
PTSD

Question 6

What are some multifactorial determinants of depression?

Answer 6

Sociocultural context
Lifestyle
Life history
Personality
Life chances
Genetics
Drugs/ alcohol

Question 7

What is depression associated with?

Answer 7

Bereavement
Relationship difficulties
Problems at work/ with family
Lack of intimacy
Isolation
Role change

Question 8

What is the biological approach to depression?

Answer 8

Twin & family studies show modest heritability
Neurotransmitters imbalance/ dysregulation
Other brain abnormalities

Question 9

What is the behavioural approach to depression?

Answer 9

Learned helplessness (classical conditioning)
Reduction in positive reinforcers
Social learning theory
Formation of vicious cycles of behaviour maintaining depression

Question 10

What is the psychodynamic approach to depression?

Answer 10

Freud (1917) mourning & melancholia
Comparing depression and grief, both painful states
Grief is sadness rage, no loss of self esteem, depression unaware of loss, anger, loss of self esteem - loss is central to both
Idea of introspection

Question 11

What is the neo-Freudian approach to depression?

Answer 11

Psychoanalysis and psychodynamic psychotherapy
Object relations theory
Depressive vunerability created y caregivers using child toward excessive independence/ reliance
Lose important relationships - depression

Question 12

What is attachment theory of depression?