Mental Health

Question 1

What is depression?

Answer 1

Depression is a mood (affective) disorder characterised by persistent low mood, low energy and loss of interest/enjoyment in everyday activities (anhedonia).

It can be unipolar (first occurrence or recurrent) or bipolar (with occurrences of mania and depression).

Question 2

Name symptoms of depressions

Answer 2

Low mood
Anhedonia: low interest or pleasure in most activities of the day
Lack of energy (anergia)
Other core symptoms of depression include:

Weight change: exclusion of intentional dieting
Disturbed sleep: insomnia or hypersomnia
Psychomotor retardation (slowed down actions) or psychomotor agitation (increased restlessness)
Reduced libido
Worthlessness or guilt feelings
Decreased concentration
Recurring thoughts of harm, death or suicide: nihilistic thoughts
Somatic/biological symptoms

Somatic symptoms of depression (also often referred to as the biological symptoms of depression) may include:

Anhedonia
Loss of emotional reactivity
Diurnal mood changes: mood often worse in the morning
Early morning wakening: typically 2-3 hours earlier than usual
Psychomotor retardation or psychomotor agitation
Appetite loss
Weight loss
Psychotic symptoms
Psychotic symptoms of depression (if present, these are usually mood-congruent) may include:

Delusions: often revolving around guilt and personal inadequacy
Hallucinations: can be auditory, olfactory or visual

Question 3

what questionnaire can be used for mental health?

Answer 3

patient-health-questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)

Question 4

Define Bipolar

Answer 4

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by significant mood swings, ranging from periods of extreme highs (mania or hypomania) to periods of extreme lows (depression). These mood episodes can last from days to weeks or months, significantly impacting a person’s life and functioning.