Depression

• Depression (DSM-5 characteristics)

  A mental disorder characterised by low mood and low energy levels.

  Major depressive disorder- severe but often short term depression

  Persistent depressive disorder- long term or reoccurring depression

  Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder- childhood temper tantrums

  Premenstrual dysphoric disorder- disruption to mood prior to/during menstruation
• Behavioural characteristics of depression

  Activity levels- reduced energy levels= lethargic. Withdraw from work, education and social life. Sometimes opposite- psychomotor agitation- struggle to relax

  Disruption to sleep and eating behaviour- reduced sleep (insomnia) or increased need for sleep (hypersomnia) appetite increases and decreases= weight gain/loss

  Aggression and self-harm- sufferers often irritable and can become verbally/physically aggressive. Physical aggression directed at the self.
• Emotional characteristics of depression

  Lowered mood- feel 'worthless' and 'empty'

  Anger- can be directed at self or others

  Lowered self-esteem- (the emotional experience of how much we like ourselves) depressed like themselves less. Extreme= self-loathing
• Cognitive characteristics of depression

  Poor concentration- unable to stick with tasks, difficult to make decisions that are usually straightforward- interferes with work.

  Attending to and dwelling on the negative- pay attention to negatives of the situation, not positives (glass half empty). Recall unhappy events rather than happy ones.

  Absolutist thinking- situations aren't usually all-good or all-bad, but depressed people think: 'black and white thinking'- unfortunate situation= absolute disaster