Psychological Understanding and Treatment: Depression

Question 1

What is depression, and how does it differ from sadness?

Answer 1

Depression is a clinical syndrome distinct from sadness, involving a non-transient depressed mood and impaired daily functioning.

Question 2

What are the key emotional themes of depression?

Answer 2

• Loss.
• Helplessness.
• Emptiness.
• Entrapment.
• Worthlessness.
• Hopelessness.

Question 3

How common is depression worldwide?

Answer 3

• Affects 280 million people globally.
• 5% of all adults suffer from it at one time (4% male, 6% female).

Question 4

What are the common causes of depression?

Answer 4

• Lifestyle factors.
• Socio-cultural context.
• Substance use (drugs/alcohol).
• Associated with events like bereavement, relationship difficulties, family problems, isolation, and role changes.

Question 5

What biological factors contribute to depression?

Answer 5

• Genetic heritage.
• Neurotransmitter imbalances (serotonin, cortisol, noradrenaline, dopamine).
• Brain abnormalities.

Question 6

What behavioural factors contribute to depression?

Answer 6

• Learned helplessness.
• Reduced positive reinforcement.
• Increased negative reinforcement.

Question 7

What is the psychodynamic explanation for depression?

Answer 7

• Related to mourning and melancholia.
• Grief over loss may lead to depressive symptoms.

Question 8

How does attachment theory explain depression?

Answer 8

• Inadequate caregiving leads to:
  
  • A self-image of inadequacy.
  • A belief that others are unavailable.
  • Low self-esteem.
• Stress in adulthood triggers these early mental models.
• Attachment styles include:
  
  1. Dismissing.
  2. Fearful.
  3. Secure.
  4. Preoccupied.

Question 9

What are the primary methods of assessing depression?

Answer 9

• Clinical observations.
• Psychometric questionnaires.
• Information from others.

Question 10

What factors are considered in the classification of depression?

Answer 10

• Onset (sudden or gradual).
• Severity (mild, moderate, severe).
• Features (e.g., melancholic, catatonic).
• Duration.
• Cause/recurrence.

Question 11

What are the five core dimensions of depression, and their symptoms?

Answer 11

1. Physiological: Appetite loss, weight loss, sleep disturbance, fatigue, pain.
2. Emotional: Low mood, mania, anxiety, sense of loss.
3. Cognitive: Poor concentration, forgetfulness.
4. Behavioural: Avoidance, self-harm, recklessness.
5. Social: Withdrawal, disengagement, loss of confidence.

Question 12

What are the primary treatment options for depression?

Answer 12

1. Talking therapy (e.g., CBT, interpersonal therapy, psychodynamic therapy).
2. Medication.
3. Brain stimulation (e.g., transcranial magnetic stimulation, electroconvulsive therapy).

Question 13

What are examples of talking therapies used to treat depression?

Answer 13

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
• Interpersonal therapy.
• Behavioural activation.
• Psychodynamic therapy.
• Counselling.
• Problem-solving therapy.

Question 14

What is the aim of CBT in treating depression?

Answer 14

To help clients recognize, understand, challenge, and change negative thoughts.

Question 15

What are the three levels of cognition in CBT?

Answer 15

1. Automatic thoughts: Immediate, reflexive thoughts.
2. Intermediate level thoughts: Underlying assumptions.
3. Core beliefs: Deep-seated beliefs about oneself and the world.

Question 16

What are the components of the CBT formulation for depression?

Answer 16

1. Early learning experiences.
2. Assumptions.
3. Depressive behaviours.
4. Critical event.
5. Negative automatic thoughts.
6. Symptoms.