depression features and symptoms

Question 1

how many symptoms do you have to have to get a depression diagnosis

Answer 1

have to have 5 or more symptoms everyday for 2 weeks and one has to be depressed mood or loss of interest

Question 2

what are the symptoms of depression

Answer 2

• depressed mood or irritable most of the day nearly everyday
• decreased interest or pleasure in most activities most of each day
• significant weight change (5%) or change in appetite
• change in sleep : insomnia or hypersomnia
• change in activity : psychomotor agitation (twitching can’t sit still), psychomotor retardation (slow struggle).
• fatigue or loss of energy
• guilt/worthlessness : feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt
• concentration : diminished ability to think or concentrate or more indecisiveness
• suicidality : thoughts of death or suicide or suicide plans

Question 3

what are the different types of depression

Answer 3

unipolar - normal depression
bipolar - mood fluctuates between manic episodes and depressive episodes, these periods are often separated with periods of normality
postpartum - major depression within 4 weeks of delivery of child
seasonal - symptoms for two years only in one season

Question 4

what are the stats about depression

Answer 4

• 1 in 6 people report experiencing a common mental health problems in any week in england
• globally estimated that 5% of adults suffer from depression
• it affects women more than men 2:1 however women may just be diagnosed more

Question 5

how do we test for depression

Answer 5

aaron beck developed the Beck’s depression inventory (BDI) to help health care professionals when diagnosing