depression (characteristics)

Question 1

name the 3 behavioural characteristics of depression

Answer 1

1. activity levels
2. disruption to sleep & eating behaviour
3. aggression & self-harm

Question 2

behavioural characteristics of depression: activity levels

Answer 2

• those with depression have reduced energy levels (lethargic)
• may withdraw from work, education & social life
• in extreme cases, cannot get out of bed
• depression can lead to psychomotor agitation = struggle to relax & may end up pacing up/down a room

Question 3

behavioural characteristics of depression: disruption to sleep & eating behaviour

Answer 3

• changes to sleep
• reduced sleep (insomnia) or increased need for sleep (hypersomnia)
• appetite & eating may increase/decrease = weight gain/loss

Question 4

behavioural characteristics of depression: aggression & self-harm

Answer 4

• often irritable
• can become verbally/physically aggressive
• physical aggression directed at themselves (self-harm)

Question 5

name the 3 emotional characteristics of depression

Answer 5

1. lowered mood
2. anger
3. lowered self-esteem

Question 6

emotional characteristics of depression: lowered mood

Answer 6

• more pronounced than just feeling sad/lethargic
• may describe themselves as ‘worthless’ or ‘empty’

Question 7

emotional characteristics of depression: anger

Answer 7

• frequently experience anger
• directed as self or others
• can lead to aggressive/self-harming behaviour

Question 8

emotional characteristics of depression: lowered self-esteem

Answer 8

• reduced self-esteem
• can be extreme (eg. sense of self-loathing)

Question 9

name the 3 cognitive characteristics of depression

Answer 9

1. poor concentration
2. attending to & dwelling on negative
3. absolutist thinking

Question 10

cognitive characteristics of depression: poor concentration

Answer 10

• unable to stick to task
• may find it hard to make decisions that are normally straightforward
• poor concentration/decision-making = inteferere with individuals work

Question 11

cognitive characteristics of depression: attending to & dwelling on the negative

Answer 11

• pay more attention to negative aspects of situation & ignore positives
• bias towards recalling unhappy events

Question 12

cognitive characteristics of depression: absolutist thinking

Answer 12

• think of situations as all-good or all-bad
• ‘black-and-white thinking’