behavioural, emotional and cognitive characteristics of depression

depression - simple definition

a mental disorder characterised by low mood and energy levels

what are the four DSM-5 categories of depression + their definitions

• major depressive disorder - severe but often short-term

• persistent depressive disorder - long-term or recurring depression, including sustained major depression

• disruptive mood dysregulation- outbursts of temper in childhood

• premenstrual dysphoric disorder - disruption to mood prior to and/or during menstruation

what are the three behavioural categories of depression?

• activity levels

• disruption to sleep and eating behaviour

• aggression and self-harm

Behavioural category - depression

Activity levels

reduced levels of energy (lethargic) or psychomotor agitation. These people struggle to relax + and may end up pacing up and down a room.

Behavioural category - depression

Disruption to sleep and eating behaviour

May experience reduced sleep (insomnia) or an increased need for sleep (hypersomnia). This is the case for appetite + eating as well - leads to weight gain/loss.

Behavioural category - depression

Aggression and self-harm

people are often very irritable + can be verbally/physically aggressive. Physical aggression can lead to self-harm e.g. cutting + suicide attempts

what are the three emotion characteristics of depression?

• lowered mood

• anger

• lowered self esteem

Emotional characteristics - depression

lowered mood

feeling sad, also describing themselves as ‘worthless’ and ‘empty’

Emotional characteristics - depression

anger

can be extreme either directed to themselves or others - can lead to self-harm

Emotional characteristics - depression

lowered self-esteem

they do not like themselves - can be extreme - self loathing/hatred

what are the three cognitive characteristics of depression?

• poor concentration

• attending to and dwelling on the negative

• absolutist thinking

Cognitive characteristics - depression

poor concentration

person may not be able to do tasks they usually could do. They find it hard to make decisions - both of these interfere with the individual’s work

Cognitive characteristics - depression

Attending to and dwelling on the negative

people may pay more attention on negative aspects + ignore the positives. (e.g. half empty glass) Tend to have a bias to recalling unhappy events rather than happy ones.

Cognitive characteristics - depression

absolutist thinking

‘black and white thinking’ - they only see extremes e.g. if a situation is unfortunate, they tend to see it as a disaster.