+
Related Topics
Cards In This Set
| Front | Back |
|
What is depression?
|
Depression is a low emotional state characterised by significant levels of sadness, lack of energy, lack of self-worth and feelings of guilt. It ranks 1st among the Top 10 causes of worldwide disability. It is classified as a mood disorder in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) IV TR. Unipolar disorder (or major depressive disorder - MDD) and dysthemia (a less severe form of depression) are two distinct types of depression.
|
|
What are the four recognisable general domains of symptoms common to all depression cases?
|
Affective (emotional); cognitive (mental); somatic (physical); behavioural symptoms.
|
|
Describe what is involved in the correct diagnosis of depression using the DSM?
|
5 out of 9 symptoms must be present, and must have been present for all/most of the time for 2 weeks or over. Among the symptoms, a depressed mood OR loss of interest and pleasure in usual activities must be present. Symptoms must cause clinically significant distress or impairment in general functioning. Symptoms must not be accounted for by bereavement; by psychoactive substances such as alcohol or drugs; or by organic illness.
|
|
What 9 possible symptoms does the DSM name?
|
Sad/depressed modd (indicated by subjective report or observation by others); Loss of interest and pleasure in usual activities (indicated by subjective report or observation by others); Insomnia or hypersomnia; Loss of energy and great fatigue; Shift in activity level, becoming lethargic or agitated (observable by others ONLY); Negative self-concept, feelings of worthlessness and guilt (which may be delusional); Difficulty in concentrating; Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide (MDD accounts for approx. 20-35% of all deaths by suicide - Angst et al, 1999); Poor appetite and weight loss (when not dieting) or Increased appetite and weight gain
|
|
Describe the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) (Beck et al, 1996)
|
The BDI is a 21 item self-report questionnaire which is designed to measure severity of symptoms in individuals already diagnosed with depression. Each question is designed to assess a specific symptom common with depression, eg. self-dislike. Each item is accompanied by 4 alternative responses which are graded for severity and scored from 0-3.
|
|
Describe how you determine the severity of depression with the BDI.
|
The sum of all BDI item scores determine severity, depending on whether someone from the general population is being assessed or whether someone who has already been clinically diagnosed with depression is being assessed. For the general population, those with a score of 21+ means they have depression. For those already clinically diagnosed: 0-9 = minimal depressive symptoms, 30+ = severe depression.
|
