2. Learning About Depression – Flashcards
Read the following flashcards to learn more about depression. You can do this by hovering over the flashcard.
Once you are done, you can test yourself! Turn the flashcards around and see if you can repeat some of the points you just learned.
What is depression?
Most people feel low occasionally. This is a normal reaction to events that are stressful or upsetting. It is even more common for teenagers to be affected by a range of moods.
Sometimes when feelings of low mood continue for a long time, they can turn into clinical depression. These low moods can be severe and impact very significantly on daily life.
In the UK, depression seems to change with age in each gender. Up to 11, the levels of depression seem the same. After 14/15 years, more girls present with symptoms of low mood. There are many different reasons for this which still need further investigation.
What are the symptoms of depression?
Depression can affect us in several different ways. It’s important to get a professional to make the diagnosis.
Depression can cause sadness, numbness, hopelessness and being overwhelmed. Thoughts include negative thoughts, concentration problems, lack of interest and slowed down thinking. A person can get caught up in a spiral of negative feelings and thoughts that lead to depression, which, as it gets worse, leads to more negative thoughts and emotions.
Depression can result in physical symptoms like sleep changes, appetite changes, extreme tiredness and increased experience of pain. A lack of sleep and significant weight loss can also lead to depression. This type of circular response contributes to the depression spiral.
How can we manage unhelpful depression?
Clinical Depression responds very well to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), a psychological therapy, and occasionally may also need medication. Medication needs to be prescribed by a specialist.
Behavioural Activation Therapy can also help with depression. This focuses on some of the behaviour changes that often happen with depression, for example, withdrawing from friends or lack of motivation. It helps a person set goals for their day and make a commitment to meet them, helping change their behaviour and through this, their mood.
The Move Mood app helps manage the behaviours connected with depression. Move Mood uses principles from Behavioural Action Therapy to help you to move forward, take control and feel positive.
