Psychopathology - depression

Question 1

What is depression?

Answer 1

A mental disorder characterised by low mood and low energy levels

Question 2

What are the behavioural characteristics of depression and explain each one

Answer 2

Activity levels - people with depression have reduced levels of energy making them lethargic

Disruption to sleep and eating behaviour - reduced sleep (insomnia) or increased (hypersomnia). Appetite may increase/decrease

Aggression and self harm - depression is associated with irritability and this may extend to aggression and self harm

Question 3

What are the emotional characteristics of depression and explain each one

Answer 3

Lowered mood - people with depression describe themselves as worthless or empty

Anger - such emotions lead to aggression of self harming behaviour

Lowered self esteem - the person likes themselves less, even self loathing

Question 4

What are the cognitive characteristics of depression and explain each one

Answer 4

Poor concentration - the person may find themselves unable to stick with a task, or might find simple decision making difficult

Attention to the negative - Depressed people may have bias towards focusing on negative aspects of current situations and recalling unhappy memories

Absolutist thinking - Black and white thinking, when a situation is unfortunate it is seen as an absolute disaster