psychopathology - depression

Question 1

define depression

Answer 1

mental disorder characterised by low mood and low energy levels.

Question 2

what is depression characterised by

Answer 2

change of mood

Question 3

what dose DSM-5 recognise for depression

Answer 3

1) Major depressive disorder – severe but often short-term depression

2) Persistent depressive disorder – long-term or recurring depression,
sustained major depression: dysthymia.

3) Disruptive mood regulation disorder – childhood temper tantrums.

4) Premenstrual dysphoric disorder – disruption to mood prior to and/or during menstruation.

Question 4

what are the behavioural characteristics for depression

Answer 4

1) ACTIVITY LEVELS - reduced levels of energy, making them lethargic.

2) DISRUPTION TO SLEEP AND EATING BEHAVIOUR - changes to sleeping behaviour. reduced sleep (insomnia) or increased sleep (hypersomnia).
weight gain or weight loss

3) AGGRESSION AND SELF-HARM
irritable, and this may extend to aggression and self-harm.

Question 5

emotional characteristics?

Answer 5

1) LOWERED MOOD - more pronounced than in the daily kind of experience

2) ANGER - directed at themselves or others. aggressive or self-harming behaviour.

3) LOWERED SELF-ESTEEM
how much we like ourselves.
reduced self-esteem.
describing self-loathing (i.e. hating themselves).

Question 6

cognitive characteristics

Answer 6

1) POOR CONCENTRATION - unable to stick with a task

2) ATTENDING TO AND DWELLING ON THE NEGATIVE - bias towards focusing on negative aspects

3) ABSOLUTIST THINKING - ‘black-and-white thinking’. every situation = absolute disaster.