Depression

Question 1

What is depression?

Answer 1

A mental disorder characterised by low mood and low energy levels

Question 2

What are behavioural characteristics of depression?

Answer 2

Activity levels - reduced levels of energy, lethargic, impacts everyday work life, work, education, social
Disruption to sleep and eating behaviour - Insomnia, hypersomnia, appetite may increase or decrease
Aggression and self harm - Irritable, verbally/physically aggressive, Physical aggression directed against self

Question 3

What are the emotional characteristics of depression?

Answer 3

Lowered mood - More pronounces than feeling lethargic and sad all day, describe themselves as feeling worthless and empty
Anger - Can lead to aggression and self harm
Lowered self esteem - Self loathing, hate themselves

Question 4

What are cognitive characteristics of depression?

Answer 4

Poor concentration - Hard to make decisions, not stick to tasks
Attending to and dwelling on the negative - see glass half empty, bias to recalling negative events rather than positive ones
Absolutists thinking - see situations all good or all bad