Psychological Problems

• Unipolar depression - a type of mood disorder causing periods of feeling sad and lacking the motivation to do everyday activities
• The main symptoms of unipolar symptoms:

  • lowering of mood - feeling very sad or upset
  • lack of energy even after resting for a long time
  • lack of motivation to do things
• Mild Depression -> four symptoms displayed -> patient may find symptoms upsetting but can carry on with most day-to-day activities
• Moderate depression -> five or six symptoms displayed -> patient may have serious problems doing day-to-day activities
• Severe depression -> seven or more symptoms with a general feeling of worthlessness -> patient may have suicidal thoughts or engage in self-harm to cope with feelings
• In 1980s, people were 10 times more likely to be diagnosed with depression than they were in the 1940s.
• By 2026, 1.45 million people will be diagnosed with depression.
• 'Modern living' is more stressful and includes many risk factors for depression, such as sleep deprivation, poor diet and increased social isolation.
• There has been a large increase in the diagnosis of depression in teenagers and young adults.
• People who are diagnosed with depression have an increased risk of suicide.
• People who are diagnosed with depression feel worthless.
• People who are diagnosed with depression are more likely to miss work -> impacts businesses
• People who are diagnosed with depression need treatment which costs money which affects the NHS.