Characteristics of Depression

• Changed activity levels - may result in psychomotor agitation or, on the other end of the spectrum, an inability to get their day started
• Aggression and SH - towards oneself and towards others, which may be verbal or physical
• Disordered sleeping and eating - insomnia and obesity on one end of the spectrum, whilst constant lethargy and anorexia may appear on the other
• Lowered self-esteem - can lead to a lack of motivation and a lack of confidence.
• Constant poor mood - lasting for months at a time and high in severity, therefore not simply ‘feeling down’
• Anger - towards oneself and towards others
• Absolutist thinking - jumping to irrational conclusions
• Selective attention - typically towards negative events + patients with depression often recall only negative events in their lives, as opposed to positive
• Poor concentration - the consequent disruptions to school and work add to the feelings of worthlessness and anger