Major Depression: Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects millions worldwide and is the most common psychiatric disorder (Singh & Gotlib, 2014). Symptoms of MDD can include: loss of appetite, lack/loss of energy or pleasure, fatigue, disturbed sleep patterns, and suicidal ideation. Depression is considered a disabling disease as all aspects of the individual’s life are affected by the illness (Milanovic, Erjavec, Poljicanin, Vrabec, & Brecic, 2015). The underlying cause or mechanism of depression has many theories that stretch from biological (chemical imbalances) to psychosocial (socio-economics) (Roy & Campbell, 2013).
Major depressive disorder is distinguishable since it pertains to having a depressive episode for approximately two weeks (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). These depressive episodes involve exhibiting five or more symptoms during the two-week period. At least one of the symptoms is depressed mood or loss of pleasure (anhedonia) or interest (Major Depressive Episode). When the individual is experiencing depressed mood, the symptom typically last most of the day consistently throughout the whole day. Apart from feeling depressed, the individual also experiences lack of or diminishment of interest or pleasure (Bressert, 2017). Similarly, to depressed mood, this sense of anhedonia last most of the day, nearly every day (Major Depressive Episode). Insomnia and or increase in sleeping excessively is also another symptom (Mume, 2010). Furthermore, the individual may experience agitation and intense slowness or sense of retardation (Mash, 2015). This can then lead to a feeling of fatigue or an energy drop. Consequently, these
According to Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, depression is a mental disorder characterized by feelings of worthlessness, guilt, sadness, helplessness, and hopelessness. Some of the symptoms that are accompanied by depression include lack of appetite, excessive hunger, weight gain, weight loss, and lack of concentration. If depression is present in someone, they can also experience anxiety. Several medical diagnosis’s can characterize depression such as HIV, Aids, Diabetes, and Eating Disorders. Depression is a serious illness that is often not taken serious enough.
Depression is characterized by depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, changes in weight or appetite, insomnia or hypersomnia, psychomotor agitation, loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty concentrating, or recurrent thoughts of death. A diagnosis of major depressive disorder requires the presence of five or more symptoms during the same two-week period and
According to Whitbourne (2014), Major Depressive Disorder involves acute, but time-limited, periods of depressive symptoms that are called major depressive episodes (p. 164) . For major depressive diagnosis, as with any other disorder, clinicians must rule out other disorders whose symptoms are similar in order to effectively and properly diagnosis a client. There are several disorders that are often found to exist at the same time and yet independently from major depressive, which is why it is essential to understand the criteria for a major depressive disorder. It is also essential to know the history of major depressive disorder as a disorder at large and as it related to the client being diagnosed so that proper and effective treatment is offered.
Clinical Depression affects approximately nineteen million Americans, yet no one has deciphered whether this disorder is caused by biological or emotional factors. Experts have gone back and forth throughout the years trying to decode what truly causes people to develop Clinical Depression. Some sources believe depression is the irregular movement of neural circuits, while the other proportion feels it is a product of trauma. This condition is more prevalent than ever as there are 235,067 people in our country living with depression according to the World Health Organization. Although there is no exact cause, certain factors increase the chance of a person developing the disorder. Therefore, it is our job to find
According to the World Health Organization, depression is an illness that affects more than 300 million people (World Health Organization, 2018). Depression is the manifestation of complex intersecting social, psychological factors and can significantly disrupt the day-to-day functions of sufferers (WHO, 2018). As a mood disorder, depression causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest (Mayo Clinic, 2018). Common symptoms of the disorder included feelings of sadness, hopelessness, irritability, loss of interest, sleep disturbances, anxiety and a myriad of other troublesome symptoms (Mayo Clinic, 2018). Depression, unlike a host of other morbidities, has a unique manifestation in all those it affects and may not
“It’s more than just a bout of the blues, depression isn’t a weakness and you can’t simply ‘snap out of it’” (Mayo Clinic Staff 1). One of the most common mental disorders in the United States is Major Depression. It typically ends up with significant impairments that can interfere with one’s daily activities (“Major Depression” 1). Depression is a mental disorder that drastically can change the affected person’s outlook on life and how they handle the world around them. Depression rates have consistently increased worldwide, but, luckily, there are methods to help with the symptoms. This disorder has been made more well known over the years, leading to an increase in preventative measures.The following paper will discuss the rising rates,
Depression is a common mental disorder, characterized by sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, feelings of tiredness, and poor concentration. Depression can be long-lasting or recurrent, substantially impairing an individual’s ability to function at work or school or cope with daily
A major depressive episode is not a disorder in itself, but rather more of a description or symptoms of part of a disorder most often depressive disorder or bipolar. A person suffering from a major depressive episode must have a depressed mood or a loss of interest in daily activities consistently for a minimum of a two-week time span (Psych Central, 2013). In diagnosing the mood must reflect a change from the person’s normal mood. A person’s daily activities and functions, such as work, social routines and friends, education, family, and relationships must also have been negatively impacted by the change in their mood. A major depressive episode is also identified by presence of five or more of the following symptoms. The patient can show signs of significant weight loss or weight gain even not dieting or trying to lose or gain weight. The patient will also display a change in appetite almost everyday, either with an increase or a decrease in their normal eating habits. The weight change is typically set at an increase or decrease in weight of more than 5% per month. The patient will display a depressed mood almost the entire day and this sadness, emptiness, loneliness, crying, and distant is observed by others or indicted by the patient, is typically
Depression is a prevalent severe medical disorder that adversely affects the way people feel, think, and act. According to Brosse, Sheets, Lett and Blumenthal (2002), the term depression is used to describe an unease or dissatisfaction mood state, a condition that involves a group of symptoms or a clinical disorder. Depression leads to a series of feelings of sadness or loss of interest in activities that were once appealing. Other symptoms include loss of appetite, increased fatigue, sleeplessness, difficulty in thinking, concentrating, or making decisions, and suicidal thoughts. Depression can
Depression is defined as a mood disorder that interferes with how a person is able to perform day-to-day activities. “Depression is characterized by a depressed or sad mood, diminished interest in activities which used to be pleasurable, weight gain or loss, psychomotor agitation or retardation, fatigue, inappropriate guilt, difficulties concentrating, as well as recurrent thoughts of death.”(CDC, Depression) Depression, also known as a “Major Depressive Disorder”, usually affects individuals between the ages of
The claimant has a past medical history significant for obesity, depression with anxiety, migraines, and dyslipidemia.
Untreated depression causes mood, behavior, physical, and psychological symptoms that affect all aspects of a person's life, including how they think, feel, and act. In their article entitled “Depression (major depressive disorder)”, the Mayo Clinic Staff, medical experts, state symptoms of mood like sadness, hopelessness, irritability, unhappiness, and frustration may occur (2018, para 4). These mood symptoms can cause people to lash out. The Mayo Clinic Staff also explain how depression can cause behavioral symptoms such as, withdrawing from socialization, spending increasing amounts of time alone, loss of interest in hobbies and activities, random crying spells, trouble concentration, inability to make decisions, and poor memory (2018, para 4). Trouble with concentration can negatively affect school and work life. The Mayo Clinic Staff mention how depression can exhibit itself in a variety of physical symptoms for example sleep disturbances of insomnia or hypersomnia, drastic appetite or weight changes, and decreased energy (2018, para 4). Insomnia meaning trouble falling asleep and hypersomnia meaning always feeling sleepy. According to the Mayo Clinic Staff depression can have psychological symptoms for instance restlessness, anger, feeling worthless, overthinking past events, thoughts of death, and
Sadness is an emotional response that is typically triggered by a difficult or hurtful event in a persons life. Whereas, depression is a mental illness that may or may not be set off by a specific trigger.