Characteristics Of Depression

• Depression


  A mood disorder defined by a consistent and long-lasting sense of sadness
• Behavioural symptoms of depression

  • Reduction in activity level
  • Change in eating behaviour
  • Increase in aggression
• Reduction in activity level

  • Includes lethargy, lacking the energy needed to perform everyday activities (e.g. personal hygiene/washing)
• Change in eating behaviour


  • Often results in either significant weight gain or weight loss
• Increase in aggression


  • Can be towards other people, but these aggressive acts often take the form of self-harm
• Emotional - Sadness

  A persistent, very low mood
• Guilt


  Linked to helplessness and a feeling that they have no value in comparison to other people
• Cognitive - Poor concentration


  • People with depression cannot give their full attention to tasks, and when they need to make a decision, they can be indecisive, unable to choose between competing options
• Negative schemas


  Automatic negative biases when thinking about themselves, the world and the future