Unipolar Depression

Terminology Mood –Pervasive and sustained emotional state –Made up of: Emotion –State of arousal defined by subjective feelings Affect –Pattern of observable behaviors associated with emotion

Depression vs. Clinical Depression Depression –mood Clinical Depression (Unipolar Depression) –Clinical syndrome with a set of symptoms

Emotional Symptoms Dysphoric mood –Feeling gloomy, dejected, despondent, despairing

Cognitive Symptoms Slowed thinking/poor concentration Guilt and worthlessness Beck’s depressive triad – negative aspects of: –Self –Environment around them –Future Suicidal thoughts and actions

Somatic Symptoms Fatigue, lethargy, aches and pains Changes in appetite and sleep patterns Anhedonia Loss of sexual desire

Behavioral Symptoms Psychomotor retardation

Types of Unipolar Depression Major depressive disorder –At least one major depressive episode (at least two weeks in duration) without any manic episodes Dysthymia –Less severe symptoms, but predominantly depressed mood for at least two years