Symptoms – physical or mental feature which is regarded as indicating a condition of disease
Affective symptoms – The way people react emotionally and their ability to feel emotions.
Feeling of sadness and despair, or;
An absence of feeling, feeling “empty”
Fail to display interest and find pleasure in everyday activities.
Feeling of guilt about a real or imagined even can also occur.
Feeling older
Cognitive symptoms – The ability to rationalise, remember and concentrate at their usual level. The thoughts individuals have about themselves, other people and their intentions.
Impaired thought and logic process
Low levels of concentration
Negative self-schema
Paranoia
(Thoughts of) committing suicide
Behavioural symptoms – The way that the individual behaves, activities they participate in or withdraw from and psychomotor movements (e.g. moving or speaking slowly).
Severely depressed person can stop socializing, lose interest in sex and stop taking care of themselves.
Everyday activities may take much longer to complete.
Withdrawal from friends and family members.
Attempt suicide.
Decrease in confidence
Physical (somatic) symptoms – Physical changes that the individuals may experience.
Headaches, stomach upsets (and other aches and pains).
Palpitations
Lack of energy
Loss of appetite leading to weight loss.
Sleep disturbance, insomnia.
According to Marsella, collectivist cultures might display more somatic symptoms.
Cultural Differences in MDD There are no globally consistent MDD prevalence rates, there seems to be a link between individualistic countries and high rates which may be down to lack of social support or more willingness to be diagnosed (SLOA). There is also research to support the idea that some people’s cultural background leads to negative life events that cause depression
Supporting studies: Kessler et al. (2005) Palmer & Ward (2006)