Depression

Define depression

A mental disorder characterised by low mood and low energy levels

What are the DMS -5 recognised categories of depression

• Major depressive disorder: severe but often short-term depression

• Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder: ongoing irritability, anger, and frequent, intense temper outbursts usually in children and adolescents

• Persistent depressive disorder: long-term, recurring depression, including sustained major depression

• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: disruption of mood before and/or during menstruation

Outline the behavioural characteristics of of depression

Shift in energy levels

• Reduced energy - lethargic

• Withdrawal from work, education and social life

• Or Psychomotor agitation - struggling to relax/pacing up and down

Disruption to sleep and eating behaviour

• Experience insomnia or hypersomnia

• Increase or decrease in appetite

Aggression and Self-harm

• the depressed person may become aggressive towards others and/or self-harm seen via cutting themselves possibly culminating in suicidal behaviours

Outline the emotional characteristics of depression

Lowered mood

• A daily experience of feeling lethargic and sad

• Many describe feeling 'worthless' and 'empty'

Anger

• there may be angry outbursts and unpredictable mood swings

• may lead to self-harm/aggressive behaviour

lowered self-esteem

• this may involve self-loathing which is likely to exacerbate sadness and feelings of hopelessness

Outline the cognitive characteristics of depression

Poor concentration

• Concentration may be disturbed so that there is the inability to focus on one specific task

Attending to and dwelling on the negative

• More incline to pay attention to the negative aspects of a situation (glass half-empty)

• Bias for recalling unhappy events rather than happy ones

Absolutist thinking

• Also known as 'black and white thinking'

• When a situation is unfortunate, they see it as an absolute disaster