Characteristics of depression

• depression

  a medical disorder characterised by low mood and energy levels
• diagnosing depression

  • 5 or more symptoms during the same 2 week period
  • at least one of the symptoms could be wither depressed mood or a loss of interest/ pleasure
• symptoms of depression 


  • depressed mood most of the day, almost every day
  • markedly diminished interest
  • significant weight loss/ gain
  • reduction of physical movement
  • fatigue/ loss of energy
• different categories of depression

  • major depressive disorder
  • persistent depressive disorder
  • disruptive mood dysregulation disorder
  • premenstrual dysphoric disorder
• major depressive disorder

  severe but often short term depression
• persistent depressive disorder

  long term/ recurring depression
• disruptive mood dysregulation disorder

  childhood temper tantrums
• premenstrual dysphoric disorder

  disruption of mood before/ during menstruation
• behavioural characteristics of depression

  • reduced energy levels causing low activity levels
  • in some cases, people struggle to relax
  • reduced/ increased need to sleep
  • increased/ decreased appetite
• emotional characteristics of depression

  • lowered mood
  • low self esteem
  • other emotions such as anger and sadness
• cognitive characteristics of depression

  • poor concentration
  • attending to and dwelling on the negatives
  • absolutist thinking
• absolutist thinking 


  • a day is either really bad or amazing
  • no inbetween