Characteristics Of Depression - Cognitive, Emotional And Behavioural

Question 1

What is depression?

Answer 1

One of the most common mental health disorders.

Question 2

How is depression characterised?

Answer 2

A marked change in a person’s mood. Often a symptom of other disorders.

Question 3

Types of depression

Answer 3

Major depressive disorder: single depressive episode of at least 2 weeks

Dysthymic depression: persistent or recurrent depression for at least 2 years

Bipolar: cycle of depressive and manic episodes

Pre/postnatal depression: Depressive episodes linked to changes during pregnancy or after birth.

Depression linked to other conditions: substance abuse, schizophrenia, PTSD, anxiety disorders, personality disorders

Question 4

Diagnosis criteria

Answer 4

A. Five or more of the following symptoms have been present during the same two-week period and represent a chance from previous functioning at least one of the symptoms is either depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure.

B. Symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in areas of functioning

C. Episode is not attributable to the direct physiological effects of a substance or to another medical condition

Question 5

Behavioural characteristics of depression

Answer 5

Change in activity level:
- Feeling lethargic
- Not getting out of bed

Change in appetite:
Some people will lose their appetite while others increase their food intake

Change in sleep patterns:
Some will sleep much more and be constantly fatigued, whilst others who will suffer from insomnia and disrupted sleep

Question 6

Emotional characteristics in depression

Answer 6

Sadness - extreme, deep, and constant
Feeling empty
Feeling worthless and hopeless
Feeling of despair and lack of control - associated with the change in activity levels
Anger - towards self as well as others

Question 7

Cognitive characteristics in depression

Answer 7

Negative thoughts
Negative view of the world: always expecting the worst from situations and others
Irrational beliefs
Poor concentration, and impaired cognitive functioning

Question 8

Types of irrational thoughts

Answer 8

Overgeneralisations
Catastrophising
Personalisation

Question 9

What is overgeneralisations?

Answer 9

Making a sweeping assumption based on one event.

Question 10

What is catastrophizing?

Answer 10

You believe that the worst possible will always happen.

Question 11

What is personalisation?

Answer 11

Blaming yourself for everything that happens.