Psychology Chapter on Depression

Study Notes

Orthodox psychoanalytic perspective: depression is when the superego punishes the ego
Masked depression: childhood depression where classic symptoms like sad mood are not as frequently present (more likely to show as hyperactivity, delinquency)
Created distinction between depression as [symptom] and [syndrome]

Mood disorders = unipolar (one mood expressed) or bipolar (both moods experienced, f.e.depression and mania)

Feeling of hopelessness, lower self-esteem, external factors are seen as reasons for lack of control

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): one or more major depressive episodes
- Same for all ages (except children+adolescents, irritable mood can be switched with depressed mood)
- Depressed or irritable mood, loss of interest or pleasure, change in weight or appetite, sleep problems, motor agitation or retardation, fatigue or loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty thinking or concentrating or making decisions, thoughts of death or suicidal thoughts/behavior
- Requires 5 or more symptoms (1 must be depressed/irritable mood OR loss of interest/pleasure)
- Symptoms present for two weeks
- Symptoms must cause clinically significant distress or impairment in functioning
Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia): chronic form of depression
- Many symptoms of MDD are present (even in less severe form), but chronic (longer period of time)
- *** double depression*** -- when both dysthymia and MDD are present
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD): persistent irritability and frequent outbursts (f.e. extreme temper outbursts, physical aggression)
- Onset -- 10yo (diagnosis between age 6-18)
- Looks like bipolar disorder, but more likely to fall into unipolar depressive disorder or anxiety

Depressive symptoms overlap with other symptoms like anxiety and withdrawn behavior (not unique syndrome for depression)
Classification and definition of depression:
- Youth may experience depression differently based on the developmental stage
- More dimensional than categorical

Pervasive unhappy mood
In childhood and adolescence -- also number of other problems (f.e.tears, outbursts, throwing things, inability to concentrate, poor schoolwork)

Leading cause of disability in young people
MDD = most frequent diagnosis among children and adolescents
1 in 4 people experiences depression in childhood or adolescence
Age - less prevalent in younger children
Gender - usually no gender differences (less than 12yo)
- Adolescence - more prevalent in girls
Socioeconomic status - lower => higher depression
Ethnic - higher depression rates among Latinx youth
Other difficulties - f.e.other disorders (f.e.anxiety disorders, disruptive behavior disorders, eating disorders,...)

Infants and toddlers => lack the cognitive abilities to be able to self-reflect and report any depressive thoughts
Preschoolers - also difficult to assess (symptoms may show differently)
Middle childhood (6-12) - patterns of depression might show up
- Childhood (9-12) - verbalizing hopelessness and low self-esteem
Early adolescence - more resemblance to symptoms of adulthood (onset of these symptoms)

Biological influences - genetic (but also environment-dependent); neurochemistry and brain functioning (serotonin, norepinephrine, acetylcholine; hypothalamus, pituitary gland, adrenal glands)
Temperament - how the environment influences affected development of predisposition
- Negative affectivity (negative emotionality) - tendency to experience negative emotions, being sensitive to negative stimuli
- Positive affectivity (positive emotionality) - approach, energy, sociability, sensitivity to reward cues
- Effortful control - can employ self-regulation
Social-psychological influences
- Separation/loss
- Maltreatment
- Family conflict
- Other social stressors
- School failure (f.e.bullying)