PSYCHOPATHOLOGY - The Behavioural, Emotional and Cognitive Characteristics of Depression Flashcards
How do you diagnose depression?
• At least 5 symptoms must be present every day for two weeks.
• The five symptoms must include sadness or loss of interest and pleasure in normal activities
• The person will show impairment in general functioning that has not been caused by other events (death of loved one).
What are the behavioural (actionable) characteristics of depression?
• Shift in energy levels
• Social impairment
• Weight changes
• Poor personal hygiene
• Sleep pattern disturbance
• Aggression and self-harm
Explain shift in energy levels as a behavioural characteristic of depression.
Depressed people might have reduced amounts of energy resulting in fatigue, lethargy and high levels of inactivity. This might lead them to withdraw from work, education and their social life. Some depressed people might have high amounts of nervous energy whereby they become agitated and restless, this is called psychomotor agitation. They may pace around, wring their hands and tear at their skin.
Explain social impairment as a behavioural characteristic of depression.
There are reduced levels of social interactions with friends and relations. The person may distance themselves from friends and family.
Explain weight changes as a behavioural characteristic of depression.
Significant increase or decrease in weight is associated with depression. Some people might eat a great deal when they are depressed and therefore put on a great deal of weight. Other people have a reduced appetite and eat very little, and therefore lose a great deal of weight
Explain poor personal hygiene as a behavioural characteristic of depression.
Depressed people often have reduced incidence of washing and wearing clean clothes etc. They may feel unmotivated to do so.
Explain sleep pattern disturbance as a behavioural characteristic of depression.
Depression is often characterised by constant insomnia whereby they have difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep and they might wake up very early. Alternatively they might require large amounts of sleep and they might oversleep (hypersomnia)
Explain aggression and self harm as a behavioural characteristic of depression.
Sufferers of depression are often irritable and they can become physically or verbally aggressive, for instance quitting their job impulsively. They might also be physically aggressive in the form of self harming, such as cutting themselves or attempting suicide.
What are the emotional characteristics of depression?
- Loss of enthusiasm
- Constant depressed mood
- Worthlessness
- Anger
Explain loss of enthusiasm as an emotional characteristic of depression.
Depression is often characterised by a lessened concern with and/or lack of pleasure in daily activities such as hobbies or things that the person used to enjoy.
Explain a constant depressed mood as an emotional charcteristic of depression.
A key characteristic is the ever present and overwhelming feelings of sadness/hopelessness and feeling empty.
