Psychopathology - Characteristics of depression

Question 1

define depression

Answer 1

A mood disorder characterised by feelings of dispondency and hopelessness

Question 2

define unipolar depression

Answer 2

a form of depression occuring without mania

Question 3

define bipolar depression

Answer 3

major depression
a form of depression characterised by periods of heightened moods and periods of despondency and hopelessness.

Question 4

what are the behavioural characteristics of unipolar depression

also known as major depression

Answer 4

• Loss of energy
• social impairment
• increasing tiredness
• aggression
• self harm
• hyper/insomnia

Question 5

what are the emotional characteristics of unipolar depression

also known as major depression

Answer 5

• loss of enthusiasm
• worthlessness
• sadness

Question 6

what are the cognitive characteristics of unipolar depression

also known as major depression

Answer 6

• poor memory
• delusions (severe depression)
• difficulty making decisions
• impaired learning
• negative thoughts

Question 7

what are the behvaioural characteristics of bipolar depression

also know as manic depression

Answer 7

In addition to the characteristics of unipolar depression
- High levels of energy
- talkative
- impulsive (e.g. spend large amounts of money on things you can’t afford and would not normally want.)

unipolar behavioural characteristics :
1) Loss of energy.
2) Social impairment.
3) increasing tiredness
4) aggression
5) self-harm
6) hyper/insomnia

Question 8

what are the emotional characteristics of bipolar depression

also know as manic depression

Answer 8

In addition to the characteristics of unipolar depression
- elevated mood states
- irritability
- lack of guilt

unipolar emotional characteristics:
1) Loss of enthusiasm
2) Worthlessness
3) sadness

Question 9

what are the cognitive characteristics of bipolar depression

also know as manic depression

Answer 9

In addition to the characteristics of unipolar depression
- irrational thought processes
- loss of interest in everyday activities

unipolar cognitive characteristics:
1) Poor memory
2) Delusions (severe depression)
3) difficulty concentration
4) difficulty making decisions
5) impaired learning
6) negative thoughts

Question 10

what is needed for a diagnosis of depression

Answer 10

At least 5 symptoms need to be present everyday for 2 weeks. In addition there must be impairment in general functioning that cannot be explained by any other medical conditions or events. For major depression one of the five symptoms must be constant depressed mood or lessened interest in daily activities.