Learning Objectives: Look at exam question for Phobias Identify characteristics of depression Consider how we diagnose depression and issues we may face Apply characteristics to scenarios Exam question feedback and consider how we can improve answers

Outline the behavioural characteristics of phobias. (3 marks) Starter! In pairs: Outline the behavioural characteristics of phobias. (3 marks)

Suggestions: restlessness Would it be enough to just list them? hard to concentrate Irritable shortness of breath nausea shaking or trembling headaches and palpitations muscle tension Would it be enough to just list them? Is this what outline means? What else could we include in our answer?

Link to spec: 4.1.4 Psychopathology Depression Link to spec: 4.1.4 Psychopathology The behavioural, emotional and cognitive characteristics of depression

Depression: definition and symptoms Depression is a mood disorder: used to explain disorders that affect the emotional state of those suffering from them, i.e. – the current emotional mood is distorted or inappropriate to the circumstances Depression is characterised by low mood and low energy levels

Diagnostic features of depression Depression can affect the thoughts (cognitions), feelings (emotion), behaviour (actions) and the physical well-being of an individual. Clinical depression for example is not merely a feeling of sadness (although this forms a major part of the illness), but rather a set of complex symptoms. The symptoms must be causing distress or impaired functioning in social and/or occupational roles

DSM V- 4 categories of depression The DSM recognises the following categories of depression and depressive disorders: MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER – severe but often short-term depression. PERSISTANT DEPRESSIVE DISORDER – long-term or recurring depression, including sustained major depression. DISRUPTIVE MOOD DYREGULATION DISORDER – childhood temper tantrums PREMENSTRUAL DYSPHORIC DISORDER – disruption to mood prior to and/or during menstruation

Signs and symptoms of a depression sufferer RECAP: Behavioural: how a person acts (behaves) when in a depressed state. Typically their behaviour changes and the individual experiences reduced levels of energy Emotional: how a person feels when in a depressed state. Patients often describe themselves as feeling ‘worthless’ and ‘empty’. Cognitive: how a person thinks when in a depressed state. In particular, the tendency to focus on the negative aspects of a situation Around 40% visit doctors for the first time due to physical symptoms. These include aches and pains, a lack of energy, palpitations, headaches and stomach upsets. Sleep disturbance is another possible symptom. Can be loss of appetite or weight. There are obviously physical symptoms also TASK: thinking back to last lesson, make a note of the characteristics on pg 18 of your packs

Behavioural Emotional Cognitive How do you BEHAVE when you are in a depressed state? How do you FEEL when you are in a depressed state? What do you THINK about when you are in a depressed state? Behavioural Emotional Cognitive activity and motivation incapacitate the individual as they go further than just sadness negative views of self / thoughts of death reduction in speech and movement Low enthusiasm Delusions disruption to sleep and appetite Constant change in mood Low concentration palpitations, headaches and stomach upsets Feelings of worthlessness / guilt Poor memory BIPOLAR: high energy levels, reckless behaviour, talkative BIPOLAR: high moods

‘Apply it’ – A02 Read the example of Jessica, Kristen and Josh Identify the behavioural, emotional and cognitive aspects the cases Do you think it occurs quickly? Can anyone suffer?

Diagnosis of depression Can appear gradually or suddenly Occurs in all social classes and at all ages, from childhood to old age The severe forms are more common in middle and old age although there has been a steady increase in depressive illnesses amongst people in their twenties and thirties. Before a diagnosis of depression can be made, the symptoms (which might be a combination of those listed) should have lasted for at least two weeks

Diagnosis of depression Depression can be relatively mild, or so intense that the sufferer is at serious risk of suicide. It is estimated that 5% of adults in Britain will suffer from it at some time in their lives (SANE, 1993). The risk of women developing unipolar depression is double that of men.

So, how do we diagnose? Becks Depression Inventory Complete and score… What are the limitations of this method of using this assessment when diagnosing depression? RM - In groups recap what the strengths and weaknesses of using a Questionnaire

Task / Homework: Stretch: answer the exam questions on the Blog that cover the last 2 lessons Revision: develop some revision materials for the characteristics of Phobias and Depression

Exam Questions Outline the emotional characteristics of depression. (3 marks) Outline the behavioural characteristics of depression. (3 marks) Outline the cognitive characteristics of depression. (3 marks)