PP- Behavioural, emotional and cognitive characteristics of depression Flashcards
What are the behavioural characteristics of depression?
1) CHANGE IN ENERGY LEVELS: Some people with depression experience lethargy (lack of energy) and withdrawal from activities that were once enjoyed (anhedonia). They may also neglect personal hygiene. Other people with depression experienceincreased activity levels/agitation.
2) DISRUPTION TO SLEEP: Depression is often characterised by constant insomnia whereby they have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. Alternatively they mightrequire large amounts of sleep and they might oversleep (hypersomnia).
3) DISRUPTION TO EATING BEHAVIOUR: Significant increase or decrease in weight is associated with depression. Some people might eat a great deal when they are depressed and therefore puton weight. Other people have a reduced appetite and eat very little, and therefore lose weight.
4) AGGRESSION:Sufferers of depression are often irritable and they can become physically or verbally aggressive.They might also be physicallyaggressivetowards themselvesin the form of self-harming, such as cutting themselves or attempting suicide.
What are the emotional characteristics of depression?
1) LOW MOOD: A key characteristic is the ever present and overwhelming feelings of sadness/hopelessness and feeling empty.
2) FEELINGS OF WORTHLESSNESS: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.
3) ANGER: The person might feel anger towards others,or towards themselves. Depression may arise from feelings of being hurt and wishing to retaliate.
What are the cognitive characteristics of depression?
1) NEGATIVE SCHEMA: 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.
2) POOR CONCENTRATION: There can be difficulty in paying/maintaining attention, and the person might feel that they cannot stay on task for long of time. They might have slower thought processes than normal and difficulty making decisions.
