Depression

• Define depression

  A mental disorder characterised by low mood and low energy levels
• Outline major depression(uni polar) 


  -an episode of depression that can occur suddenly

  -can be reactive(caused by the external factors E.g death of a loved one) 

  -can be endogenous(caused by internal factors e.g neurological)
• Outline manic depression(bipolar disorder) 


  -alternation between two mood extremes mania and depression

  -occurs in regular cycles of days or weeks

  -episodes of mania involve overactivity rapid speech and feeling extremely happy or agitated
• Outline the behavioural symptoms of depression

  -sleep disturbances(hyper insomnia or insomnia)

  -change in appetite

  -aggression and self harm

  -activity levels (lethargy or psychomotor agitation-cannot relax)
• Outline the cognitive symptoms of depression

  -persistent negative beliefs about themselves and their ability

  -suicidal thoughts

  -slower thought processes and difficulty concentrating and making decisions

  -absolutist thinking (catastrophising)
• Outline the affective/emotional symptons of depression


  -extreme feelings sadness hopelessness and despair

  -dinural mood variation (changes in mood throughout the day e.g feeling worse in the morning) 

  -anhedonia (no longer enjoying activities that used to be pleasurable 
• For a person to be diagnosed with major depression..

  -the DSM states that at least 5 of these symptons must be present nearly everyday for almost two weeks