2- characteristics of depression

In terms of behavioural characteristics, depression can cause reduced energy levels which makes the person what?

Lethargic

In extreme cases, what can these reduced energy levels lead to?

Being unable to get out of bed

In some cases, depression can have the alternative effect where individuals struggle to relax and pace. What is this known as?

Psychomotor agitation

How can depression affect sleeping and eating behaviours?

Insomnia, hypersomnia, weight gain or loss

What is hypersomnia?

An increased need for sleep

What percentage of body weight gain or loss is said to indicate a change?

5%

In what ways can we see aggression and self-harm as behavioural characteristics of depression?

Irritability, verbally or physically aggressive, self-harm e.g. cutting and suicide

How can the behavioural characteristics of depression affect the individual’s life?

Withdraw from work, education and social life.

Give three examples of emotional characteristics associated with depression.

Lowered mood, anger and lowered self-esteem.

As well as lowered mood and sadness, how do depressed patients often describe themselves?

Worthless and empty

What is the ratio of negative to positive experiences that depressed patients have?

More negative than positive.

What term is used to describe the way some sufferers experience hatred for themselves?

Self-loathing

Give three examples of cognitive characteristics of depression.

Poor concentration, attending to and dwelling on the negative, absolutist thinking

Poor concentration can make it harder to do what?

Process information and make decisions

What outlook do depressed patients have?

Pessimistic

Depressed patients have a bias towards recalling what?

Unhappy events rather than happy ones

What is absolutist thinking?

Black and white thinking i.e. situations are all good or all bad.

According to absolutist thinking, if a depressed patient experiences an unfortunate situation, how will they view this?

As an absolute disaster