Depression

Question 1

What are the symptoms of depression?

Answer 1

• Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day.
• Feeling sad, empty or hopeless.
• Loss of interest in activities that previously brought joy.

Question 2

What is the durations of the symptoms?

Answer 2

Depression is considered episodic thus its symptoms are typically present at their full magnitude for a period of time and then gradually reduce.

Question 3

What are the risks of depression?

Answer 3

• Around 50% of people who experience an episode of depression will go on to have another.
• Considered a risk factor for various other health conditions (e.g heart attacks, obesity and substance abuse).

Question 4

What are the behavioural characteristics of depression?

Answer 4

• Difficulty falling asleep or sleeping too much.
• Psychomotor agitation.
• Psychomotor retardation.
• Significant weight loss/gain.
• Fatigue or loss of energy.

Question 5

What are the emotional characteristics of depression?

Answer 5

• Sustained and extreme sadness.
• Feelings if worthlessness.
• Experience of extreme guilt.

Question 6

What are the cognitive characteristics of depression?

Answer 6

• Difficulty concentrating.
• Indecisiveness.
• Suicidal ideation.
• Poor self-esteem.

Question 7

What is neurological and physiological evidence to support depression?

Answer 7

• Linked to abnormal activity in several regions of the brain linked to experiencing emotions and in regulating and controlling emotions.
• Abnormally high levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

Question 8

What are cognitive theories of depression?

Answer 8

• Depression is triggered by negative thoughts, interpretations, self-evaluations and expectations.
• Depression is triggered by “cognitive vulnerability” and by precipitating stressful life events.

Question 9

What is Beck’s cognitive theory of depression?

Answer 9

He theorised that depression-prone people possess depressive schemas.

Question 10

What are depressive schemas?

Answer 10

Schemas that prompt dsyfunctional and pessimistic thoughts about the self, world and future.

Question 11

When do depressive schema develop?

Answer 11

• Likely in early childhood in response to adverse experiences.
• Remain dormant until they are activated by stressful or negative life events.

Question 12

How is a dysfunctional style of thinking maintained?

Answer 12

• By cognitive biases or errors in how an individual process information about ourselves.
• Causes the individual to focus on negative aspects.

Question 13

What is Beck’s negaive triad?

Answer 13

Suggests that negative views abou the self, world and future all lead into a downward spiral and cause a person to think depressive thoughts.

Question 14

What is cognitive therapy?

Answer 14

A form of psychotherapy that focuses on how a person’s thoughts lead to feelings of distress.

Question 15

How does cognitive therapy work?

Answer 15

A therapist will help a client see how they misinterpret a situation and how to view situations in a more positive light.

Question 16

What are strengths of cognitive therapy?

Answer 16

• Allows the client to take control thus building self-esteem.
• Less reliance on drugs compared to other methods.
• Effective as Ellis (1957) claimed a 90% success rate.

Question 17

What are weaknesses of cognitive therapy?

Answer 17

• Requires individual motivation.
• Relies on the competence of the therapist.
• Works best when combined with drugs.
• Can be expensive and difficult to access due to long NHS waiting lists.

Question 18

What does Ellis’ ABC model stand for?

Answer 18

• A: Activating event.
• B: Belief.
• C: Consequences.

Question 19

What is an activating event?

Answer 19

The thing that causes the negative thoughts and feelings.

Question 20

What is a belief?

Answer 20

The person’s thoughts about the activating event.

Question 21

What is a consequence?

Answer 21

A consequence in terms of emotions and actions.