Emotional Characteristics Of Depression

Question 1

What is a defining emotional element of depression?

Answer 1

Lowered mood

Lowered mood is more pronounced in clinical depression than in everyday feelings of sadness.

Question 2

How do patients commonly describe their emotional state in depression?

Answer 2

‘Worthless’ and ‘empty’

These descriptors reflect a deeper emotional experience beyond simple sadness.

Question 3

What other negative emotion, besides sadness, do sufferers of depression frequently experience?

Answer 3

Anger

This can be directed at themselves or others and may lead to aggressive or self-harming behavior.

Question 4

True or False: Sufferers of depression experience more positive emotions than negative ones.

Answer 4

False

Depression is characterized by more negative emotions and fewer positive ones.

Question 5

What is the emotional experience of how much we like ourselves called?

Answer 5

Self-esteem

Self-esteem can be significantly reduced in individuals suffering from depression.

Question 6

What extreme feeling may some sufferers of depression report regarding themselves?

Answer 6

Self-loathing

This indicates a profound reduction in self-esteem.

Question 7

Fill in the blank: Patients with depression often describe their mood as _______.

Answer 7

lowered

This reflects a significant emotional state in clinical depression.

Question 8

What can extreme anger in depression lead to?

Answer 8

Aggressive or self-harming behavior

This highlights the potential risks associated with intense negative emotions.