Depression
Depression
Key Terms:
Depression: A mental disorder characterised by low mood and low energy levels.
Comorbity: when one of more disorder occurs alongside the original (e.g. Depression and anxiety)
What is depression?
Many people get ups and downs and at times feel pretty rubbish and so they say they have depression, this is known as self-diagnosing, the fact is there is a lot more to depression than just simply getting a time period where you feel down - it’s natural to not feel happy all the time, if you lose a loved one or you lose your job etc. you aren’t going to feel happy its natural to feel down but this isn’t depression, this is just normal human behaviour. The difference between this and depression is that depression is a lot more severe and has a much greater effect on the person’s life as it affects their ability to do everyday things, feel pleasure, or enjoy activities they normally would participate in. Depression isn’t something you can easily pick up on in a person a lot of the time unless you know them very well or you knew them before they developed depression, this is because people living with depression find ways to hide that they have it as they don’t want people knowing what they are battling with. Depression feels like you are in the bottom of a dark well trying to get out however the sides are smooth so it is extremely hard however isn’t impossible, it takes determination, will power, the person has to want to but most of all it takes support from those around you. Depression feels never ending.
Types of depression:
Major depressive disorder – severe but often short-term depression.
Persistent depressive disorder – long-term or recurring depression, including sustained major depression and what used to be called dysthymia.
Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder – childhood temper tantrums.
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder – disruption to mood prior to and/or during menstruation.
Facts about depression:
4-10% will experience depression in England in their lifetime.
In 2014 19.7% of over 16’s showed signs of depression. This is an increase of 1.3% from 2013.
Both males and females are affected with depression however females are more affected.
Leading cause of absence in the country. 2nd most common disability worldwide.
Problems with diagnosis:
Labels can have a negative effect on people’s lives (self-fulfilling prophecy)
People display disorders in different ways- Labels simply enhance reductionism (categorising people and assuming they’re all the same)
Professionals will only treat the clinical label instead of the individual symptoms.
Professionals use their discretion to diagnose, so therefore two professionals could diagnose one disorder differently. (Misdiagnosis) (Rosenhan, 1973).
Medical treatment has side effects.
Characteristics of depression:
When getting diagnosed with depression there are many characteristics that are looked for in order to be classed as depression. These symptoms/signs need to be presence every day, typically for most of the day, for longer than two weeks. The symptoms are split into three categories: Behavioural, Emotional and Cognitive. The symptoms within these three groups are as followed:
Behavioral:
Insomnia/ hypersomnia.
Self-harm – physical aggression towards oneself or others.
Lethargy/ fatigue – this is reduced levels of energy which can have an impact on work, education and social life.
Psychomotor agitation or restlessness e.g. fidgeting Loss of interest in hobbies or pleasure nearly every day
Significant weight change when not dieting. There needs to be a 5% decrease or increase.
Emotional:
Lowered mood – feeling sad, empty or hopeless on a daily basis.
Low self-esteem – self-loathing and low opinion of themselves.
Aggression and irritability towards the self and others.
Cognitive:
Recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideation with or without intent.
Poor levels of concentration – Finding it difficult to make decisions or complete tasks on a daily basis.
Focussing on the negative aspects of life e.g. unhappy memories.
Absolute thinking, its either all good or all bad, if it’s bad it’s a disaster.
Helpful websites for more information into Depression and help/support for those suffering with depression. If you think you are suffering with depression please get help you are not alone in this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48H7FkH7EeQ www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKcRSboPgU4
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJ_S5Rjt_iI
www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/depression/symptoms/#.WMgzFoXXLug
www.youngminds.org.uk/for_children_young_people/whats_worrying_you/depression
www.sane.org.uk/resources/mental_health_conditions/depression
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