Characteristics

• What are the behavioural characteristics of depression?

  • ACTIVITY - stop doing things they enjoy, withdraw from work, education and social life. They may be lethargic so they cannot get out of bed
  • SLEEP - insomnia and hypersomnia
  • EATING - change in appetite so lose or gain weight
  • AGGRESSION & SELF HARM
• What are the emotional characteristics of depression?

  • LOW MOOD - more extreme than sadness, may describe themselves as feeling 'empty' or 'worthless"
  • ANGER - can be directed towards themselves or others
  • LOW SELF ESTEEM - become self loathing
• What are the cognitive characteristics of depression?

  • POOR CONCENTRATION - may have bad memory or struggle to focus on tasks
  • NEGATIVE SCHEMA - focus on the negatives over the positives
  • ABSOLUTIST THINKING - may see bad situations as being an absolute disaster