Depression

• Depression

  • Mental disorder that affects the behaviour, emotion and cognition of an individual
• Difference between Sadness and Depression

  • Sadness is a normal human emotion which we experience sometimes
  • Depression is an abnormal emotional state. When depressed, you feel sad about everything
• Unipolar depression

  • Individual experiences one emotional state (depression)
• Bipolar depression

  • Individual experiences two emotional states (depression and mania)
  • Mania - frenzied activity such as making big plans or feeling very excited
• Diagnosis of depression

  • Diagnosed by a doctor using a set of symptoms listed in the ICD-10
  • To be diagnosed, symptoms must be commonly present for 2 weeks.
  • Individuals could also experience ideas of self-harm or suicide
• Key symptoms - Low mood 


  • Depressed mood most of the day and nearly every day
• Key symptoms - Loss of interest 


  • Reduced interest in most activities most of the day
• Key symptoms - Reduced energy levels 


  • Knock-on effect on work, education and social life
• Other symptoms - Changes in sleep patterns 


  • Reduced sleep (insomnia)
  • More need for sleep (hypersomnia)
• Other symptoms - Changes in appetite levels 


  • Could increase/decrease and lead to changes in weight
• Other symptoms - Decrease in self-confidence 


  • May have a sense of self-loathing
• Types of depression

  • Mild - 4 symptoms
  • Moderate - 5-6 symptoms
  • Severe - 7+ symptoms