1. Learning Objectives: 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

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. ‘Apply it’ – A02 Watch the example of Stephen Frys’ Depression
Identify the behavioural, emotional and cognitive aspects the cases
Do you think it occurs quickly? Can anyone suffer?

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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 consider what are strengths and weaknesses of using a Questionnaire

12. 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)
Then… complete the depression section of your study pack

13. Extension – Don’t get depressed…
Make yourself a revision timetable!!!