Depression

• There are 4 types of depression according to DSM-5:

  • Major depressive disorder - severe but short term.
  • Persistent depressive disorder - long term or reoccurring.
  • Disruptive mood dis regulation disorder - childhood temper tantrums.
  • Premenstrual dysphoric disorder - depression before or after menstruation.
• Behavioural Characteristics Of Depression:

  • Reduction in energy levels/activity levels.
  • Disruption to eating and sleeping patterns.
  • Aggression to others or yourself (self-harm).
• Emotional Characteristics Of Depression:

  • Low mood (sadness etc).
  • Anger (leads to aggressive behaviour).
  • Low self-esteem.
• Cognitive Characteristics Of Depression:

  • Poor concentration and decision making.
  • Negative thoughts (glass half empty).
  • Absolutist thinking (black and white thinking).
• DSM-5 Diagnosing Depression:

  • Low mood.
  • Loss of interest and pleasure.
  • Reduced energy levels.
  • Changes in sleep patterns.
  • Changes in appetite levels.
• DSM-5 Diagnosing Depression:

  • Decrease in self confidence.
  • Reduced concentration/attention.
  • Ideas of guilt and unworthiness.
  • Bleak/pessimistic views of the future.
  • Ideas of self-harm/suicide.
• DSM-5 Diagnosing Depression:

  • Mild depression: 2-3 symptoms.
  • Moderate depression: 5-6 symptoms.
  • Severe depression: 7+ symptoms.
• Beck‘s Depression Inventory:

  • 21 questions self-report analysis to identify the severity of depression.
  • Each question has 4 possible answers and a value of 0-3 is given to each answer.
• Beck‘s Depression Inventory:

  • 0-9 = minimal depression.
  • 10-18 = mild depression.
  • 19-29 = moderate depression.
  • 30-40 = severe depression.
  • 41+ = extreme depression.
• Beck’s Cognitive Theory Of Depression:

  • Negative schemas.
  • Faulty information processing.
  • The negative triad.
• Beck’s Cognitive Theory Of Depression:

  Negative Schemas

  • Our self schemas are our perceptions of ourselves.
  • Depressed patients automatically think negatively about them selves and therefore interpret all information about themselves in a negative way.
  • The negative schemas could come from criticism or rejection by parents or peers.
• Beck’s Cognitive Theory Of Depression:

  Faulty Information Processing:

  • Depressed people are prone to distorting and misinterpretating information from the world. Interpretations can be over negative leading to low mood and passivity.
• Beck’s Cognitive Theory Of Depression:

  Faulty Information Processing:

  • Selective thinking - focusing on negative details.
  • Over-generalisation - making sweeping conclusions on an incident.
  • Catastrophising - exaggerating a minor setback.
  • Black and white thinking - everything is a success or failure.
• Beck’s Cognitive Theory Of Depression:

  Negative Triad:

  • Negative thoughts on the world.
  • Negative thoughts on the future.
  • Negative thoughts about oneself.
• Beck’s Cognitive Theory Of Depression:

  Evaluation: Strenghts

  • Supportive research - 65 pregnent women after birth. After birth those that had a higher ‘cognitive vulnerability‘ were more lively to suffer post-natal depression.
  • Support CBT - negative thinking is challenged - asked to provide evidence for the thoughts.
• Beck’s Cognitive Theory Of Depression:

  Evaluation: Limitations

  • Doesn’t explain all aspects of depression.
  • Some patents feel anger - Beck’s doesn't explain this.
  • Cotard syndrome (believe parts of their body are missing). Beck’s doesn't explain this