Symptoms and Features

• How many symptoms must the individual experience for at least 2 weeks in order to get a diagnosis for depression?

  5 or more

  1 of which must be a depression mood, loss of interest or pleasure
• Give 5 examples of symptoms that may be used when diagnosing depression

  1.depressed mood for most of the day, nearly every day

  2.fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day

  3.feelings of worthlessness or guilt nearly every day

  4.low interest in activities nearly every day

  5.insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day
• Is Unipolar Depression twice as common in women or men?

  women
• Who is more likely to have suicidal thoughts, men or women?

  men
• What age does the start of unipolar depression usually occur?

  From the ages of 30-40 years
• What age does the ”peak” of unipolar depression often occur?

  Ages 50-60 years
• What can depression shorten?

  Life expectancy- usually due to a secondary illness that comes from the depression