Psychopathology- Depression Flashcards
Depression -
A mental disorder characterised by low mood and low energy levels.
Behavioural -
Ways in which people act.
Emotional -
Ways in which people feel.
Cognitive -
Refers to the process of thinking - knowing, perceiving, believing.
What are the categories of depression and depressive disorders recognised by the DSM-5?
-Major depressive disorder: Severe but often short-term depression.
-Persistent depressive disorder: Long-term or recurring depression, including sustained major depression and what used to be called dysthymia.
-Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder: Childhood temper tantrums.
-Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: Disruption to mood prior to and/or during menstruation.
How do activity levels change in individuals with depression?
-Depression typically reduces energy levels, making sufferers lethargic.
-This leads to withdrawal from work, education, and social life, sometimes to the extent that the individual cannot get out of bed.
-Psychomotor agitation: In some cases, depression causes the opposite effect, leading to agitation where individuals struggle to relax and may pace up and down a room.
How does depression affect sleep and eating behaviour?
-Sleep: Depression can lead to reduced sleep (insomnia), particularly premature waking, or an increased need for sleep (hypersomnia).
-Eating: Appetite and eating can increase or decrease, leading to weight gain or loss. The key point is that these behaviours are disrupted by depression.
How does depression relate to aggression and self-harm?
-Aggression: Individuals with depression are often irritable and can become verbally or physically aggressive. This might manifest as ending a relationship or quitting a job.
-Self-harm: Depression can also result in physical aggression directed at oneself, such as cutting or suicide attempts.
How does depression affect mood?
-The emotional characteristic of depression is lowered mood. While “depressed” is often used in everyday language to describe feeling sad, clinical depression involves a more profound, persistent feeling of sadness.
-Individuals often describe themselves as feeling worthless or empty.
How does depression cause anger?
-Sufferers of depression tend to experience anger in addition to sadness. This can be extreme anger that can be directed at the self or others.
-In some cases, anger may lead to aggressive or self-harming behaviour.
How does depression impact self-esteem?
-Self-esteem refers to how much we like ourselves, and in depression, this is typically reduced.
-Sufferers often report a feeling of self-loathing, or hating themselves.
How does depression affect concentration?
Depression is often associated with poor concentration. Sufferers may struggle to stick with tasks or make decisions that are usually straightforward, and this can interfere with their work or daily life.
How does depression impact attention and memory?
-Sufferers of depression tend to attend to and dwell on the negative aspects of a situation, ignoring the positive.
-They often recall unhappy events more than happy ones, in contrast to individuals who are not depressed.
What is absolutist thinking in depression?
-Absolutist thinking, also known as black and white thinking, is common in depression.
-Individuals with depression tend to view situations as all-good or all-bad. For example, a minor issue may be seen as an absolute disaster.
