Lesson 8 - Characteristics of Depression Flashcards

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1
Q

Behavioural Characteristics of Depression

A

Change in activity levels
Disruption to sleep
Disruption to eating behaviour
Aggression

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2
Q

Behavioural Characteristics of Depression

Change in Activity Levels

A

Some people with depression experience lethargy and withdrawal from activities that were once enjoyed
They may also neglect personal hygiene
Other people with depression experience increase activity levels/agitation

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3
Q

Behavioural Characteristics of Depression

Disruption to Sleep

A

Depression is often characterised by constant insomnia whereby they have difficulty falling and staying asleep
Alternatively they might require large amounts of sleep and they might oversleep - hypersomnia

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4
Q

Behavioural Characteristics of Depression

Disruption to Eating Behaviour

A

Significant increase or decrease in weight is associated with depression
Some people might eat a great deal when they are depressed and therefore put on weight
Other people have a reduced appetite and eat dry little and therefore lose weight

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5
Q

Behavioural Characteristics of Depression

Aggression

A

Sufferers of depression are often irritable and they can become physically or verbally aggressive
They might also be psychically aggressive towards themselves in the form of self-harm

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6
Q

Emotional Characteristics of Depression

A

Low mood
Feelings of worthlessness
Anger

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7
Q

Emotional Characteristics of Depression

Low Mood

A

Key characteristic of depression is the ever present and overwhelming feelings of sadness and hopelessness and feeling empty

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8
Q

Emotional Characteristics of Depression

Feelings of Worthlessness

A

Sufferers of depression often have constant feelings of reduced worth and/or inappropriate feelings of guilt
They might also experience very low levels of self esteem

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9
Q

Emotional Characteristics of Depression

Anger

A

The person might feel anger towards others or towards themselves
Depression may arise from feelings of being hurt and wishing to retaliate

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10
Q

Cognitive Characteristics of Depression

A

Negative Scheme

Poor Concentration

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11
Q

Cognitive Characteristics of Depression

Negative Scheme

A

Depressed people often have a negative view of the world, themselves and the future
This leads to the self-fulfilling prophecy whereby if you expect negative things to happen, they will happen because you make them happen
Positive factors in their life will be ignored

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12
Q

Cognitive Characteristics of Depression

Poor Concentration

A

There can be difficulty in paying/maintain attention and the person might feel that they cannot stay on tasks for long periods of time
They might have slower thought processes than normal and difficulty making decisions
Depressed people will also have trouble retrieving memories

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