Depression - Psychopathology Flashcards
(60 cards)
What is depression?
A mood disorder characterised by feelings of despondency and hopelessness.
What are the two types of depression?
Unipolar and bipolar.
What needs to be present for depression to be diagnosed?
- At least 5 symptoms every day for two weeks
- Person will show impairment in general functioning that has not been caused by other events.
What type of symptoms must be present for bipolar to be diagnosed?
Sadness or loss of interest and pleasure in normal activities. Impairment in functioning must be present.
What are the behavioural characteristics of depression?
- Shift in energy levels
- Social impairment
- Weight changes
- Poor personal hygiene
- Sleep pattern disturbances
- Aggression and self harm.
What are the emotional characteristics of depression?
- Loss of enthusiasm
- Constant depressed mood
- Worthlessness
- Anger.
What are the cognitive characteristics of depression?
- Delusions
- Reduced concentration
- Poor memory
- Absolutist thinking
- Negative thinking
- Thoughts of death
What are the general causes for depression?
Biological/Environmental causes.
What is an example of biological causes of depression?
Chemical or hormonal imbalances.
What are examples of environmental causes of depression?
- Seasonal affective disorder
- Sudden, upsetting life changes (losing a job or the death of a relative).
What are general treatments for depression?
- Improving lifestyle
- Medication
- Therapy/counselling.
What are the cognitive approaches to explaining depression?
- Beckβs cognitive triad
- Ellisβs ABC Model.
What does the Cognitive Model suggest?
Individuals suffering from depression have negative or distorted thinking.
What does negative or irrational thinking lead to?
Depression.
What does the Cognitive Triad by Beck suggest?
People become depressed because they have a negative outlook.
How do negative schemas develop?
They develop negative schemas in childhood where adults have been overly critical of them. This continues into adulthood.
What are examples of negative schemas?
Self blame, Ineptness.
What is the first stage of the Cognitive Triad?
Negative thoughts about self.
What is the second stage of the cognitive triad?
Negative thoughts about the world.
What is the third stage of the cognitive triad?
Negative thoughts about the future.
What are the strengths of the cognitive approach by Beck?
- Very influential
- Supporting evidence from Terry (2000)
- Combining to make CB approach.
How is the Cognitive approach by Beck influential?
It is based on sound experimental research and has been seen in depressed patients. It is objective and permits testing.
What did Terry (2000) find?
Assessed 65 pregnant women for cognitive vulnerability and depression before and after birth. Women who had a high cognitive vulnerability were more likely to suffer post natal depression.
What is CB approach?
Cognitive Behavioural approach aims to look at irrational thinking and conditioning.