CRIMSOC3-HUMAN BEHAVIOR

AND
VICTIMOLOGY

Welcome Notes:
Module 7: Depression
WELCOME CRIMINOLOGY STUDENTS
Sub Topic: Stress / Stressor

I. INTRODUCTION:

This module presents the selected factors affecting human behavior such as depression, stress,
under coping mechanisms. This topic consists of definition of Depression, its causes and symptoms,
Different forms of depression, how to battle it, depression and Criminality, Stress, Stressor, its types
and stages, categories of Stress and Stress and Criminality.

II. OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

 Identify the definition of Depression, Stress and Stressor.
 Determine the types of Stress.
 Analyze how to battle depression.

III. PRELIMINARY ACTIVITIES:

Before you proceed to the main lesson, let’s complete this activity.

Directions: Read the summary of the video about Depression.

CRIMSOC3-HUMAN BEHAVIOR
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VICTIMOLOGY
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VICTIMOLOGY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWFuQR_Wt4M

Major depressive disorder is a mental illness with symptoms that affect a person's thoughts,
feelings, and behaviors. Depression is widespread, but poorly understood. This video provides an overview
of what depression actually is including discussion of symptoms, causes, and treatment.

As a short activity, complete the checklist: Yes or No if the word/s below is/are considered as a
sign of Depression.

Words Yes No
Anger ___ ___
Low motivation ___ ___
Guilt ___ ___
Good mood ___ ___
Poor self esteem ___ ___

GREAT!!!
You may now proceed to the main lesson.

IV: LESSON PROPER:

LET’S BEGIN!

Based on the preliminary activities, what did you notice about it?

________________________________________________________

CONGRATULATIONS!

You may now proceed to the lesson.

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VICTIMOLOGY

DEPRESSION, STRESS, AND STRESSOR

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VICTIMOLOGY

DIFFERENT FORMS OF DEPRESSION

1. Major Depressive Disorder- It is also called depression. It is characterized by a combination of

symptoms that interfere with a person’s ability to work.
2. Dysthymic Disorder – (Dysthymia) symptoms do not occur for more than two months at a time.
3. Psychotic Depression – It occurs when a severe depressive illness is accompanied by some form
of Psychosis, such as a break with reality, hallucinations, and delusions.
4. Postpartum Depression – this is a major depressive episode that occurs after having a baby.
5. Seasonal Affective Disorder – It is characterized by the onset of a depressive illness during the
winter months when there is less natural sunlight.
6. Bipolar Disorder – It is also called manic- depression illness, is not as common as major
depression or Dysthymia, it is characterized by cyclical mood changes from extreme highs.
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VICTIMOLOGY

7. Endogenous Depression – It means from within the body; it is defined as feeling depressed for no
apparent reason.
8. Situational Disorder – These are depressive symptoms develop in response to a specific stressful
situation or event.
9. Agitated Depression – It is major depressive disorder characterized by agitation such as physical
and emotional restlessness, irritability and insomnia.

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbJB02Zlh4w

. Depression is often a misunderstood disorder. Many people believe that being depressed you
must fall into the “typical depression category”. Meaning that the person must be all sad looking, and feel
numb inside, but that is so far from the truth. Depression has sub disorders that help explain the different
symptoms, the severity of it, and the scenarios in which it’s presented. We created a list of the different
types of depressive disorder with its symptoms to further your understanding.

TYPES OF STRESS
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1. Eustress (Positive) – good stress – that is healthy or gives one a feeling of fulfillment, or positive
feeling. Ex: promotion, marriage, starting a new job, buying a home, having a child, holiday season,
taking a vacation, retiring
2. Distress (Negative) –negative stress – persistent stress that is not resolved through coping or
adaptation, deemed distress may lead to anxiety. Ex: anxiety and fear, poor decision making,
accidents, loss of interest, ineffectiveness at tasks, dangerous action,
Examples of Negative Personal Stressors;
- The death of spouse - sleep problems
- Filing for divorce - legal problems
- Losing contact with love ones
- The death of a family member
- Hospitalization
- Injury or illness
- Separation
THREE STAGES OF STRESS (General Arousal (adaptation) Syndrome / GAS)

1. Alarm – is the first stage – when the threat or stressor is identified or realized, the body’s stress
response is a state of alarm. During this stage adrenaline will be produced in order to bring about
the fight-or flight response.
2. Resistance – is the second stage – if the stressor persists, it becomes necessary to attempt some
means of coping with the stress, although the body begins to try to adapt to the strains or
demands of the environment, the body cannot keep this up indefinitely; so its resources are
gradually depleted.
3. Exhaustion – is the third and final stage in the GAS model, at this point all the body’s resources are
eventually depleted and the body is unable to maintain normal function. The initial automatic
nervous system symptoms may reappear like sweating, raised heart rate etc.
Amy Exum, Psychotherapist with Care & Counseling at Baptist Health South Florida, says there are two
different types of stress: Eustress and Distress. Eustress is the positive one, because it is associated with
excitement and motivation. Distress is a negative stress, because it is related to things that start to feel out
of control, like financial issues, major losses and legal issues. The specialists also talks about signs and
symptoms of stress that generate progress and the stress that impairs progress.
You may visit the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLRvgT42fjE for the related video.
TYPES AND CATEGORIES OF STRESS
1. Acute Stress – It is what most people identify as stress. It makes itself felt through tension
headaches, emotional upsets, gastrointestinal disturbances, feelings of agitation and
pressure.
2. Episodic Acute – is more serious and can lead to migraines, hypertension, stroke, heart
attack, anxiety, depression, and serious gastrointestinal distress.
3. Chronic Stress – is the most serious of all. It is the stress that never ends. It grinds us down
until our resistance is gone. Serious illness such as diabetes, decreased immune-
competence, perhaps cancer is its hallmark
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4. . Traumatic Stress – is the result of massive acute stress, the effects of which can
reverberate through our systems for years. Posttraumatic stress disorder is treatable and
reversible and usually requires professional aid.
HOW DOES STRESS AFFECTS HUMAN BEHAVIOR
 A stressful life event like the death of a parent trigger individuals to commit violent crimes, a new
study has found. Researchers discovered that in the week after being exposed stress, people
were more likely to go on to commit a violent crime themselves.
STRESS RELATED CRIMES
 According to research, pervasive stress on a social scale also crime correlates with higher crime,
including homicide, aggravated assault, rape, and robbery, and contributes to the outbreak of war,
terrorism, and other social violence.

We had just finished the discussion on Depression. Let’s move on to the

next higher level of activity/ies or exercise/s that demonstrate your potential
skills/knowledge of what you have learned.