Lesson 8 - Depression Flashcards
How is depression diagnosed?
At least 5 sypmtoms must be present every day for two weeks.
The 5 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 other events (death of loved one).
What are the behavioural characteristics of depression?
Shift in energy levels;
Social Impairment;
Weight Changes;
Poor Personal Hygiene;
Sleep pattern disturbance;
Aggression and self harm;
What are the emotional characteristics of depression?
Loss of enthusiasm;
Constant depressed mood;
Worthlessness;
Anger;
What are the cognitive characteristics of depression?
Delusions;
Reduced concentration;
Thoughts of death;
Poor Memory;
Negative thinking;
Absolutist Thinking
What is shift in energy levels? (Behavioural)
It is when depressed people have reduced amounts of energy, resulting in fatigue, lethargy and high levels of inactivity. This could lead to withdrawal from work, education and social life.
Some depressed people might have high amounts of nervous energy whereby they become agitated and restless.
This is psychomotor agitation.
What is social impairment? (Behavioural)
This is when they have reduced levels of social interactions with friends and family. The person may also distance themselves from these people.
What are weight changes? (Behavioural)
This is just a significant increase or decrease in weight is associated with depression. Some people may eat a lot, or not eat at all when depressed.
What is poor personal hygiene? (Behavioural)
Depressed people often have reduced incidence of washing and wearing clean clothes.
What are sleep pattern disturbances? (Behavioural)
Depression can be characterised by constant insomnia whereby they have difficulty falling asleep, and staying asleep. Hypersomnia is also a characteristic of depression.
What is aggression and self harm? (Behavioural)
Sufferers of depression are often irritable and they can become physically or verbally aggressive. This could be suicide, or cutting themselves, or quitting their job impulsively.
What is a loss of enthusiasm? (emotional)
Depression is often characterised by a lessened concern with and/or lack of pleasure in daily activities such as hobbies, or things that the person used to enjoy.
What is a constant depressed mood? (emotional)
A key characteristic is the ever present and overwhelming feelings of sadness / hopelessness and feeling empty.
What is worthlessness? (Emotional)
Sufferers of depression often have constant feelings of reduced worth, and/or inappropriate feelings of guilt. This is often accompanied by very low levels of self esteem.
What is anger? (Emotional)
The person might feel anger which might be directed towards others or turned inwards towards the self, which could result in self harm. Depression may arise from feelings of being hurt and wishing to retaliate.
What are delusions? (Cognitive)
Some depressed patients will experience delusions, generally concerning guilt, punishment, personal inadequacy or disease. Some will even experience hallucinations in extreme circumstances.
What is reduced concentration? (Cognitive)
There can be difficulty in paying/maintaining attention, and the person might feel that they cannot stay on task for long periods of time. They might have slower thought processes than normal, and have difficulty making decisions.
What are thoughts of death? (Cognitive)
Depressed people will have constant thoughts of death and suicide. They might believe that the world would be a better place without them.
What is poor memory? (Cognitive)
This is where depressed people may have trouble retrieving memories.
What is negative thinking? (Cognitive)
Depressed people have a negative schema when confronting the world, and expect things to turn out badly rather than well.
What is absolutist thinking? (Cognitive)
Most situations are not all bad or all good. Depressed people think in absolutist terms such as these.
