Link to spec: 4.1.4 Psychopathology Depression Link to spec: 4.1.4 Psychopathology Affective (emotional) and Behavioural and Cognitive characteristics of depression

Depression: definition and symptoms Depression is a mood disorder: A definition 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 characterized 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 that includes thinking and behaviour. For a diagnosis 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 ‘sad’ 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 –thinking they are ‘worthless’ 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

Emotional Behavioural Cognitive How do you FEEL when you are in a depressed state? How do you BEHAVE when you are in a depressed state? What do you THINK about when you are in a depressed state? Emotional Behavioural Cognitive incapacitate the individual as they go further than just sadness activity and motivation negative views of self reduction in speech and movement disruption to sleep and appetite palpitations, headaches and stomach upsets

Diagnosis of depression Depression can appear either gradually or suddenly Depression 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 self-harm or suicide. It is estimated that 5% of adults in Britain will suffer from it at some time in their lives (SANE, 1993). Nowadays the figure is even higher The risk of women developing unipolar depression is double that of men.

So, how do we diagnose? Becks Depression Inventory is used to gauge the level of depression Have a go yourself ….Complete and score … What are the limitations of of using this method/assessment when diagnosing depression? In groups consider what are strengths and weaknesses of using a Questionnaire generally

Bring in research methods work packs on Monday You will be conducting a questionnaire as part of your Easter homework task.

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)