Types of Depressions and Diagnosing

• What is clinical depression?


  A medical condition characterized by low mood
• What are the characteristics of clinical depression?

  Behavioural, emotional, and cognitive characteristics
• How does sadness differ from depression?

  Sadness allows functioning; depression impairs it
• What is unipolar depression?

  A mood disorder with constant sadness
• What are the symptoms of unipolar depression?

  Constant sadness, loss of interest, reduced energy
• What characterizes bipolar depression?

  Alternating depression and mania
• What is mania in bipolar depression?


  An exaggerated state of intense well-being
• What is the ICD?

  International Classification of Diseases
• How are mental health problems diagnosed?

  Using agreed symptoms by professionals
• What is required for a mild unipolar depression diagnosis?


  Two key symptoms plus two others
• What is required for a moderate unipolar depression diagnosis?


  Five or six symptoms
• What is required for a severe unipolar depression diagnosis?


  Seven or more symptoms
• How long must symptoms be present for a diagnosis?

  All or most of the time for over two weeks
• What is a key symptom of unipolar depression?

  Low mood most of the day
• What is another key symptom of unipolar depression?

  Loss of interest and pleasure
• What is the third key symptom of unipolar depression?

  Reduced energy levels: It has an effect on work, education and social life.
• What are changes in sleep patterns associated with depression?


  Insomnia, early waking, or hypersomnia
• How can appetite levels change in depression?


  They may increase or decrease, affecting weight
• What is a common effect of decreased self-confidence in depression?


  Feelings of self-loathing
• What are four further symptoms of unipolar depression?

  Guilt, pessimism, self-harm ideas, reduced concentration
• What is the criteria for diagnosing mild depression?

  Two key symptoms and two other symptoms
• What is the criteria for diagnosing moderate depression?

  Five or six symptoms
• What is the criteria for diagnosing severe depression?

  Seven or more symptoms