L8: The behavioural, emotional and cognitive characteristics of depression

Question 1

What must you have to be diagnosed with depression?

Answer 1

At least 5 symptoms present every day for two weeks. Must include sadness or loss of interest and pleasure in normal activities

Question 2

What are the behavioural characteristics of depression? (Action)

Answer 2

1. Shift in energy levels - reduced amount of energy resulting in fatigue, lethargy and high levels of inactivity, leading them to withdraw from normal activities. May have psychomotor agitation (nervous energy)
2. Social impairment - reduced levels of social interaction with friends and relations
3. Weight changes - either gain a great deal or lose a great deal in a short period of time
4. Poor personal hygiene - reduced incidence of washing and wearing clean clothes
5. Sleep pattern disturbances - constant insomnia or hypersomnia
6. Aggression and self harm - irritable and can become physically or verbally aggressive, also in the form of self harm such as cutting or suicide.

Question 3

What are the emotional characteristics of depression ? (Feelings)

Answer 3

1. Loss of enthusiasm - lack of pleasure in daily activities that person used enjoy such as hobbies
2. Constant depressed mood - overwhelming feeling of sadness/hopelessness and feeling empty
3. Worthiness - constant feelings of reduced self worth and esteem and inappropriate feelings of guilt
4. Anger - towards self or other than could turn to harm. Feelings of retaliation start to arise

Question 4

What are the cognitive characteristics of depression ? (Thinking)

Answer 4

1. Delusions - experience delusions concerning guilt, punishment, personal inadequacy or diseases. Hallucinations can be auditory, visual, olfactory and haptic.
2. Reduced concentration - can not stay on task for long periods of time. Slower though process than normal and difficulty making decisions.
3. Thoughts of death - believe the world would be a better place without them
4. Poor memory - trouble retrieving memories
5. Negative thinking - negative view of the world, pessimistic, positive factors ignored and have a cognitive bias
6. Absolutist thinking - good or bad no grey area.