depression

• What is depression classified as?

  A category of mood disorders
• How is depression commonly defined?

  By its symptomology/characteristics outlined in the DSM-5
• What are the main characteristics of depression?

  Low mood and low energy levels
• What is the general onset age range for depression?

  Between 20-40 years of age
• What are the categories of depression and depressive disorders in DSM-5?

  • Major depressive disorder: severe but often short-term depression
  • Persistent depressive disorder: long-term or recurring depression
  • Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder: childhood temper tantrums
  • Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: mood disruption prior to and/or during menstruation
• What are the cognitive symptoms associated with depression?

  1. Poor concentration

  • Difficult to maintain attention
  • Slower at responding and making decisions

  1. Attending to and dwelling on the negative

  • Paying more attention to negative aspects
  • Bias towards recalling unhappy events

  1. Absolutist thinking

  • Viewing unfortunate situations as absolute disasters
• What are the physical symptoms of depression?

  1. Activity levels

  • Reduced energy levels (lethargy)
  • Psychomotor agitation

  1. Sleep disturbance

  • Hypersomnia or insomnia

  1. Changes in appetite

  • Significant weight changes

  1. Aggression and self-harm

  • Irritability and aggression
  • Self-harm or suicide attempts
• What are the emotional symptoms of depression?

  1. Lowered mood

  • Sadness, feelings of worthlessness or emptiness

  1. Anger

  • Negative emotions including anger towards self or others

  1. Lowered self-esteem

  • Extreme feelings of self-hate
• What is major depressive disorder characterized by?

  Severe but often short-term depression
• What does persistent depressive disorder include?

  Long-term or recurring depression, including sustained major depression
• What is disruptive mood dysregulation disorder associated with?

  Childhood temper tantrums
• What is premenstrual dysphoric disorder characterized by?

  Mood disruption prior to and/or during menstruation
• How does poor concentration manifest in individuals with depression?

  It makes it difficult to maintain attention and slows decision-making
• What does attending to and dwelling on the negative mean in the context of depression?

  It refers to paying more attention to negative aspects and ignoring positives
• What is meant by absolutist thinking in depression?

  Seeing unfortunate situations as absolute disasters
• How do activity levels change in individuals with depression?

  Energy levels are typically reduced, leading to lethargy
• What are the sleep disturbances associated with depression?

  Sleeping significantly more (hypersomnia) or significantly less (insomnia)
• How do changes in appetite manifest in depression?

  Significant weight changes, either eating less and losing weight or eating more and gaining weight
• What forms can aggression and self-harm take in individuals with depression?

  Irritability, verbal or physical aggression, and self-harm such as cutting or suicide attempts
• What is the emotional state often described by individuals with depression?

  Sadness, often described as feelings of worthlessness or emptiness
• What negative emotions do individuals with depression frequently experience?

  Feelings of anger or extreme anger towards self or others
• How is lowered self-esteem characterized in individuals with depression?

  It is the emotional experience of how much we like ourselves, which can be extreme