Depression Flashcards
(21 cards)
What is depression?
A mood disorder characterised by long periods of low mood
What are the key symptoms of depression?
Low mood
Anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure)
Fatigue
What are some of the associated symptoms of depression?
Disturbed sleep (insomnia or hypersomnia) Poor concentration Low self-confidence Appetite/weight increase or decrease Suicidal thoughts Psychomotor agitation or retardation Feelings of worthlessness Excessive/inappropriate guilt
What pattern do the symptoms of depression often follow?
Often show diurnal variation and are typically worse in the morning
What are some of the risk factors for depression?
Family history of depression/suicide
Physical disease (particularly painful, chronic, stigmatised conditions)
Substance misuse (particular alcohol)
Medications (e.g. corticosteroids, oral contraception, interferon)
Post-natal
Unemployment
Older age
MSE - Appearance?
Dishevelled, self-neglect, furrowed brow
MSE - Behaviour?
Reduced eye contact, difficulty establishing rapport, tearful, agitated, irritable
MSE - Speech?
Slow, quiet, monotonous, limited content, latency
MSE - Mood/affect?
Empty, numb, low mood, unreactive affect
MSE -Thought?
Negative content, mood congruent delusions
MSE - Perception?
Accusatory/critical second-person auditory hallucinations
MSE - Cognition?
Slow, poor memory/concentration
MSE - Insight?
Often preserved, but can blame themselves for illness
Important for prognosis and compliance with medication
What is the 2 criteria for diagnosing Depression?
- Depressive episode lasting >2weeks
2. Patient has never had a manic episode
Define the 3 severities of depression? (according to ICD-10)
Mild –> >4symptoms (including 2/3 key symptoms)
Moderate –> 5-6symptoms
Severe –> >7symptoms (with or without psychotic symptoms
What is psychotic depression?
Severe depression complicated by delusions or hallucinations. Mood-congruent i.e. content reflects the patient’s emotional state.
Cotard syndrome = extreme form of nihilistic delusional thinking where people may have the belief that they are deed or parts of their body are missing
Second person auditory hallucinations which are critical, insulting or suggesting suicide may occur
What is dysthymia?
Continuous, chronic form of depression. Symptoms need to be present for 2 years for a diagnosis.
What is Seasonal affective disorder?
Recurrent depressive episodes occurring during winter months in the northern hemisphere. Can be treated with bright light therapy in early morning which helps restore circadian rhythm of melatonin
What are the ‘Baby Blues’?
Brief episodes of emotional lability, irritability and tearfulness arising in 50% of women in the days following childbirth. Resolves spontaneously
What is postpartum depression?
Depressive episodes after childbirth often lasting >2weeks
What is atypical depression?
Form of depression associated with a reactive mood, hypersensitivity to rejection, hypersomnia, increased appetite and feeling of heavy limbs
