Depression : Sharon Kay French

Many people around the world suffer from depression. "Depression is the most common mental health disorder after anxiety disorders"("Depression | Resources To Recover.") Depression is a terrible thing to have especially when it makes people have, Major Depressive Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and Postpartum Depression. "Major depressive disorder involves a consistently depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities for a period of at least two weeks"("Depression | Resources To Recover.").

Major Depression is often described in superficial terms based on the manifestation of symptoms but falling short of capturing the complexity existing within the intrinsic etiology of the disease. It is one of two classifications of mood disorders with the other being Bipolar Disorder which is also known as manic-depressive illness. Major depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. The lifetime prevalence rate of depression is 16.2% of the population with a two-fold greater risk in women than men after adolescence (McCance, 2010). Signs and symptoms characteristic of Major Depression include sadness, irritability, significant weight gain or loss, insomnia, guilt, and suicide ideation. It is distinguishable from Bipolar Disorder in that it lacks symptoms of mania. Risk factors associated with depression are stress, comorbidities, life changes, and substance and/or alcohol abuse. It is important to understand the relative risk associated with these risk factors when determining treatment. For example, the relative risk between the substance abuse, depression, and suicide is evident in a recent analysis conducted by The National Survey on Drug Use and Health focusing on the suicidal thoughts and behavior among adults with substance dependence or abuse and adults with major depressive episode. Results indicated that adults 18 or older who had past year substance dependence or abuse were 12.6 percent more likely to

As research on major depression is ever expanding and developing, it is pivotal to critically analyse the validity of studies in this area. The main focus of researchers over time has been centered on discovering ways to implement effective treatments and determining preventative measures. However, more importantly identifying key theories behind why major depression occurs in the first place in this assignment will help to further understand this common mental illness and how certain medications can either improve or worsen a person’s condition.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects approximately 18 million people in the United States alone, and 340 million people worldwide. MDD, as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th ed. (DSM-V), is characterized by “one or more major depressive episodes that are persistent and abnormally depressed mood states that last at least 2 weeks and include cognitive symptoms and disturbed physical functions”. The DSM-V includes a clinical significance criterion where “symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social,

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).

Depression has been a household name for several decades now affecting around 350 million people of all ages (World Health Organization, 2015). Depression is characterized by feelings of severe despondency,

According to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (also known as DSM-IV), depression is named as Major Depressive Disorder (Unipolar Depression) and is included in the Mood Disorders group of mental illness (2000). This mental illness is characterized by the following symptoms: “depressed mood, reduced interest in activities that used to

Of all the major illnesses, mental or physical, depression has been one of the toughest to overcome (Friedman). Although there are 26 different types of antidepressant drugs on the market, only one third of patients have success after one round of treatment. Scientists are still conducting experiments to find out exactly what is the cause of depression. It was once believed that it was caused by a lack of chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine or serotonin, but it has been discovered that it is much more complex than that. Many people suffering with depression feel that it isn’t that serious or will go away on its own. Only about a third of those struggling with depression actually seek professional help. If left untreated, long term depression can often lead to more dangerous habits, such as alcoholism, use of recreational drugs, and even suicide.

Depression is the commonest psychiatric diagnoses in patients attending psychiatric clinics, psychiatric outpatient departments or mental health facilities. The lifetime prevalence of unipolar depression is about 15 percent in males and 25 percent in females in the first world countries with similar prevalance in the developing countries. According to the WHO, about one in four consultations to health care providers is depression related. The twelve month prevalence in the US is about 7 percent with maximum prevalence in the 18-29 year old individuals with females having a 1.5 to 3 fold higher rate than males (23)

To understand major depressive disorder one must first explore the symptoms. The DSM-5 has a clear and defined criterion to assist in the diagnosing of major depressive disorder (MDD). Depression is a widespread and common place as evidenced by the estimate that 32 to 35 million US residents will develop MDD in their lifetime (DeRubeis et al., 2008). This alarming number means that millions of US residents have met at least five of the stated symptoms with in the DSM-5 for much of a two week time period. The 11 different criterion outlined in the DSM-5 are as follows; 1.depressed mood most of the day. 2) Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all or most daily activities. 3) Significant unintended weight loss or unusual increase in appetite. 4) Insomnia or hypersomnia. 5) Psychomotor agitation or retardation observable by others. 6) Fatigue or loss of energy. 7) Feeling of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt. 8) Difficulty maintaining

Depression is a normal emotional reaction to perceived loss and hopelessness (Segal, Williams, & Teasdale, 2002). There are a number of different types of depression such as chronic depression, manic depression and the primary focus of this essay Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). MDD is a clinical depression, which is more chronic and more severe compared to other types of depression. It significantly disrupts the individual’s ability to meet the normal demands of life. According to many clinicians, clinical depression should be considered as a medical illness in need of medical intervention. Other mental health professionals believe this is an overstatement of the role of physiology and the

More people suffer from depression than you might think. People of all ages, backgrounds, lifestyles, and nationalities get clinical depression. An estimated 35 to 40 million Americas living today will suffer from major depression at some time during their lives. (4) This is about 13 to 20 percent of all Americans. (1) About half of these individuals will experience recurring depression. (3) Despite being what authorities call "the nation's leading mental health problem" (6), depression is often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed, and therefore not treated. (4) Often as a result, about 25 percent of these people attempt suicide to end their

Major depression can last for long periods of time that has severely distinct emotional, mental and physical systems that can be disabling. It is also the leading cause of disability in the United States of America between the ages of 15-44. (The World Health Organization) A more mild form of depression is called dysthymia which lasts for at least a few years affecting approximately 1.5 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year. (Kessler, 2005) Symptoms can include periods of prolonged sadness, anger, worthlessness as well as significant changes in appetite and sleep patterns. Other signs an individual can show is an inability to concentrate, social withdrawal and thoughts of suicide. While there is no singular cause of depression that can be applied all, current research suggest that a combination of genetic, biological, environmental and psychological factors lead to depression. (NIH, Depression) Results from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have shown that the parts of the brain that effects an individual’s mood, thinking, sleep, appetite, and behavior are unbalanced or appear different. (NIH, Depression) Although these images have yet to explain to researchers why depression has occurred, once diagnosed this disorder can be

Depression is the most common of all psychological disorders, affecting 100 million people worldwide. The depression ranges from mild feelings of uneasiness, sadness, and apathy to intense suicidal despair. (Kasschau) If left untreated, it could lead the

Most everyone will experience a number of high and lows in life; a wide range of emotions is part of the human experience. There are many who may experience depression and a prolonged existence of the negative emotional state is identified as major depressive disorder, one of the most prevalent mental disorders in the United States (Alloy, Riskind & Manos, 2005, p. 248). Major depressive disorder by itself presents a difficult struggle, for the person with the disorder and those supporting them, but the battle can be amplified when it presented with substance abuse and particularly alcoholism. Dr. Mark Jacob