Page 2262 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

3. Depression: See Section IX.

IX. Depressive Disorders

A. Description
1. Depression affects feelings, thoughts, and behaviors.
2. It can occur after a loss, including loss of self-esteem,
the end of a significant relationship, the death of a
loved one, or a traumatic event.
3. The loss is followed by grief and mourning; if this
process does not resolve, depression results.
4. Depression may be mild, moderate, or severe.
5. Treatment includes counseling, antidepressant
medication, and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
6. See Box 65-5 for general assessment findings.
B. Mild depression
1. Mild depression is triggered by an external event and
follows the normal grief reaction.
2. Mild depression lasts less than 2 weeks.
3. Feeling sad
4. Feeling let down or disappointed
5. Mild alterations in sleep patterns
6. Feeling less alert
7. Irritability
8. Disinterested in spending time with others
9. Increased or decreased appetite
10. Increased use of substances such as alcohol or drugs
C. Moderate depression
1. Moderate depression persists over time.
2. The person experiences a sense of change and often
seeks help.
3. Despondent and gloomy
4. Dejected
5. Low self-esteem
6. Helplessness and powerlessness
7. May experience intense anxiety and anger
8. Diurnal variation: The person may feel better at a
certain time of the day.
9. Slow thought processes and difficulty in concentrating
10. Rumination: Persistent thinking about and discussion
of a particular subject
11. Negative thinking and suicidal thoughts (see Chapter
67)
12. Sleep disturbances, early-morning awakening, or
oversleeping
13. Social withdrawal
14. Anorexia, weight loss or gain, and fatigue
15. Somatic complaints
16. Moving or talking more slowly

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