Overview of Depression

• Depression


  A mood disorder characterised by extreme sadness
• To be diagnosed with major depression


  • Individual must experience at least 5 symptoms from a list including: depressed mood and/or loss of interest or pleasure in most activities, nearly every day for at least two weeks
• Emotional Characteristics of Depression


  • Depressed Mood - a key characteristic is the ever present and overwhelming feelings of sadness / hopelessness
  • Loss of Interest and Pleasure - depression is often characterised by a lack of enthusiasm associated with a lack of concern or pleasure in daily activities
  • Worthlessness - those suffering from depression often have constant feelings of low self-worth and or inappropriate feelings of guilt
• Cognitive Characteristics of Depression


  • Reduced Concentration - difficulty in paying and maintaining concentration and/or slowed down thinking and difficulty making decisions
  • Negative Beliefs about Self - those suffering from depression often experience persistent negative beliefs about themselves and their abilities
  • Suicidal Thoughts - depressives can have constant thoughts of death and/or suicide
• Behavioural Characteristics of Depression


  • Change in Activity - typically depressed people have reduced amounts of energy resulting in fatigue, lethargy and high levels of inactivity. In some cases depression can lead to the opposite effect - known as psychomotor agitation
  • Change in Eating and Sleeping Patterns - people may experience a change in appetites which may mean they eat more or less than usual, and have significant weight changes (5%) either gaining or losing weight. Insomnia or excessive sleeping are characteristics of depression
  • Social Impairment - there can be reduced levels of social interaction with friends and relations