Lesson 8 - Characteristics of depression

Question 1

How do you diagnose depression?

Answer 1

• At least 5 symptoms must be present every day for two weeks according to the DSM-V
• The five symptoms must include sadness or loss of interest and pleasure in normal activities
• The person will show impairment in general functioning that has not been caused by any external factors (such as bereavement)

Question 2

What are the behavioural characteristics of depression?

Answer 2

• Shift in energy levels: patient may have reduced amounts of energy resulting in fatigue or withdrawal from social/occupational life. Some may have high amounts of nervous energy resulting in agitation and restlessness.
• Social impairment: reduced levels of silva interactions, may distance themselves from loved ones.
• Weight changes: significant increase/decrease in weight. Might eat a great deal or have a reduced appetite and eat very little.
• Poor personal hygiene: reduced incidence of washing and wearing clean clothes
• Sleep pattern disturbance: characterised by constant insomnia. They may have difficulty sleeping or sleep large amounts (hypersomnia).
• Aggression and self harm: patient may be irritable, for example quitting their job impulsively. They may be physically aggressive in the form of self harm/suicide.

Question 3

What are the cognitive characteristics of depression?

Answer 3

• Delusions: some depressive patients may experience delusions, concerning guilt, punishment and personal inadequacy/disease. Some will experience sensory hallucinations.
• Reduced concentration: there can be difficulty in paying/maintaining attention. Cannot stay on task for long periods of time. This can interfere with the person’s ability to do their job.
• Thoughts of death: constant thoughts of death/suicide. They may believe that the world would be a better place without them.
• Poor memory: trouble retrieving memories, memory may be poor in general.
• Negative thinking: may have a negative outlook on the world and may expect things to turn out badly. This leads to the self fulfilling prophecy. They may ignore positive factors in life due to a cognitive bias.
• Absolutist thinking: situations are either all bad or all good. They think in absolutist terms (“it was a complete disaster”) rather than balancing the good and bad

Question 4

What are the emotional characteristics of depression?

Answer 4

• Loss of enthusiasm: often characterised by a lessened concern with pleasure in daily activities such as hobbies or enjoyable tasks.
• Constant depressed mood: a key characteristic is the ever present feeling of sadness/hopelessness and emptiness.
• Worthlessness: sufferers of depression often have constant feelings of reduced worth and feelings of guilt
• Anger: the person might feel anger towards others or themselves