Depression Flashcards
Biological risk factors for depression
Predisposing:
FH of depression
Precipitating (Trigger):
Substance abuse
Perpetuating (Maintaining):
Substance abuse
Psychological risk factors for depression
Predisposing:
Personality traits -dependent, anxious and avoidant traits
Precipitating (Trigger):
Life event
Esteem
Perpetuating (Maintaining):
Personality
Ongoing loss or failure to cope with loss
Social risk factors for depression
Predisposing:
Lack of support
Poor economic status
Precipitating (Trigger):
Lack of support
Poor economic status
Perpetuating (Maintaining):
Lack of support
Poor economic status
Protective factors in depression
No family history of depression
Current employment
Good social support
Investigations to rule out differential diagnosis
Thyroid function tests
Urine drug screen for ongoing substance misuse
Medication review
What are the core symptoms of depression? (3)
Low mood
Anhedonia
Low energy (anergia)
Mild/Mod require 2 of these
Severe requires all 3
What cognitive symptoms are a feature of depression?
Decreased concentration
Impaired memory
Pessimistic and self-blaming
Nihilistic
Mild - 2
Moderate - 3/4
Severe - 5
How is depression diagnosed?
Mild - 2 core plus at least 2 cognitive symptoms
Moderate - 2 core plus at least 3 or 4 cognitive symptoms
Severe - all 3 core plus at least 5 cognitive symptoms.
What are the somatic symptoms of depression? (5)
Marked loss of appetite or weight loss (some people experience the opposite)
Marked loss of libido
Sleep disturbances with early morning awakening (usually 2 hours or more before the usual time)
Diurnal variation of mood (worse in the mornings)
Psychomotor retardation or agitation – objective evidence, remarked on or reported by other people
How do you assess risk in depression?
Risk to self - self-harm, suicide, neglect
Risk to others
How is depression treated?
Mild: CBT
Moderate: antidepressants
