Depression

• Unipolar depression


  The clinical diagnosis of a sustained period of low mood, along side other symptoms such as reduced energy, low self confidence and disturbance in sleep
• Bipolar depression


  In addition to sharing periods of low mood people with bio-polar depression also have periods of excessively high moods, this is known as mania
• Manic phase


  • High levels of energy, feeling positive "on top of the world", be productive "feeling I can do anything" and generally excited
  • May talk excessively quickly and make impulsive decisions (often self destructive)
• Depressive and manic phases can last for weeks or even months
• People with unipolar depression

  Just have abnormally low moods
• People with bipolar depression


  Have both abnormally low and high moods
• Sadness is a shared human emotion not a mental health condition
• Diagnosing Unipolar depression

  The use of International Classification of Diseases in diagnosing unipolar lepression: Is a medical tool used by psychiatrists for diagnosis. Symptoms are listed and the patient's experiences are matched. The ICD is published by the WHO, it is egularly updated due to changes in scientific knowledge, 

  Vumber and severity of symptoms: Clinicians take into consideration how many symptoms the patient has (out of 10) and how frequently over a two-week period.

  Including one*) Less than 4 = not depressed. 4 = mild. 5-6 = moderate, 7+ severe
• Behavioural and emotional aspects of low mood


  • Crying
  • Sadness
• Aspects of reduced energy levels


  • Low motivation
  • Poor hygiene
  • Poor diet
  • Poor performance in work/school
• Changes in sleep patterns

  • Increased need for sleep
  • Inability to sleep
• Appetite levels


  • Over eating
  • Under eating
  • Weight changes
• Aspects of decreased self-confidence


  • Struggles with self esteem
  • Disliking themselves
• Other symptoms


  • Poor concentration
  • Guilt
  • Loss of pleasure
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Agitation
• Use of bullet point list


  • Helps clinicians be objective in assigning diagnosis
  • Reduces the ability of clinicians in using their own judgement in diagnosis
• The ICD changes with developing scientific knowledge
• The ICD is an international guide, however mental health conditions may experienced very differently depending on cultural background
• Biological explanation


  Focuses on physical causes, this can include brain structure, neuro transmitters and hormones, that are affected by genes or other physical causes such as diet and drug use
• Influence of nature


  Suggesting depression is inherited through our DNA
• Genes


  Code biological features e.g. Levels of neurotransmitters
• Neurotransmitter imbalance


  Having too much or little can disrupt normal brain functioning
• Serotonin in the brain


  As a mood regulator, low levels of serotonin in the brain is thought to cause the persistent low mood experienced by people with depression
• Theories of depression having a biological basis

  Has led to effective biological treatments such as antidepressants
• The success of antidepressants as a treatment


  Suggests the underlying biological theory is valid
• Counter psychological explanations exist with effective psychological treatments
• The biological explanation does not fully explain depression