characteristics

• what is depression?


  A mental disorder characterised by low mood & low energy levels
• What category does depression fall under?


  general category of mood disorders
• what are the 2 types of depression?


  unipolar and bipolar
• what is unipolar depression?


  Only experience depression not manic episodes (usually occurs in cycles)
• what is bipolar depression?


  Alternating cycles of mania (hyperactivity and increased drive) and deep depression
• what are the behavioural clinical characteristics of depression?


  - loss of energy & constant tiredness

  - sleep disturbance

  - aggression & / or self harm
• what can loss of energy & constant tiredness lead to?


  - this can lead to social withdrawal from work, education etc

  - can have opposite effect where individual is unable to relax known as psychomotor agitation
• explain sleep disturbance


  Insomnia or sleeping more, which can lead to changes in appetite
• explain aggression and / or self harming


  individual may verbally lash out or physically harm themselves
• what are the cognitive characteristics of depression?


  - reduced ability to concentrate

  - focus on the negative

  - absolutist thinking
• explain reduced ability to concentrate


  individual can't concentrate on tasks

  - individual has inability to respond to / make decisions
• explain focus on negative


  - May have thoughts of self harm / death / suicide

  - often recall negative events more than positive events
• explain absolutist thinking


  black and white thinking (seeing things entirely good or entirely bad - no in between)
• what are the emotional characteristics of depression?

  - depressed mood

  - anger

  - lowered self esteem
• explain depressed mood


  feelings if sadness & individuals often describe themselves as "empty" or "worthless"
• explain anger


  anger can be directed at others or themselves
• what characteristic does "anger" also fall under?

  behavioural
• explain lowered self esteem


  self loathing or self hate due to not liking themselves as much as they used to
• What are the 5 DSM categories of depression?


  - major depressive disorder

  - persistent depressive disorder

  - disruptive mood dysregulation disorder

  - premenstrual dysphoric disorder
• explain major depressive disorder


  short term but severe depression
• explain persistent depressive disorder


  long term & recurring depression
• explain disruptive mood dysregulation disorder


  childhood temper tantrums
• explain premenstrual dysphoric disorder


  disruption to mood prior to and / or during menstruation