Major Depression Case Studies

296.32 (F33.1) Major Depressive Disorder, recurrent episode, moderate severity, with anxious distress. Ms. Client meets eight of the nine diagnostic criteria for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Specifically, during several periods of time she experienced depressed mood, diminished interest in things she enjoyed to do, hypersomnia, psychomotor agitation, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, decreased concentration, and suicidal thoughts without intent. Additionally, as Ms. Client expressed, these symptoms are source of continuing distress and interfere with her academics and social functioning. Also, her symptoms started four years prior to the psychological assessment and persisted intermittently since then, lasting for several weeks to several months, with the most recent period of extended length (enduring two weeks) approximately one year ago. Since the last episode she has experienced these symptoms for two to three days at a time. Although the last episode that met the criterion of two weeks duration occurred approximately a year ago, the symptoms have not disappeared, but they occur periodically since then and when they do, they cause considerable distress and impairment in functioning. Thus, the disorder cannot be coded as ‘in partial or full remission’. The specifier ‘with anxious distress’ was given, because Ms. Client reports feelings of difficulty in concentration because of worry and restlessness.

The following essay is a case study of a client named John who is suffering from major depression and was sent to see me for treatment by his concerned wife. I will provide brief background information about John then further discuss interventions and strategies I believe can be applied in each session with my client in order to make John's life more manageable. In the essay, I will be writing as the therapist, and the sessions are based on a ten week period.

Major depressive episode (MDE) is a single experience of these symptoms over a 2 week period while MDD is a chronic disorder in which multiple MDEs. The main symptom that must be present for a diagnosis is either a depressed mood or loss of interest in activities that were once considered pleasurable. Children and adolescents may be observed having irritability rather than sad mood and display outward signs of anger. The patient may also have feelings of hopelessness, helplessness or worthlessness. Appetite can increase or decrease which may cause weight fluctuations; children may not be gaining weight as expected. Sleeping problems such as insomnia or too much sleep can occur. The patient may complain of fatigue or loss of energy and

Debra also met the criteria for mood disorder under the type of major depressive episode. Mood disorder is one of a group of disorders involving severe and enduring disturbances in emotionality ranging from elation to severe depression. Major depressive episode is the most common and severe experience of depression, including feelings of worthlessness, disturbances in bodily activities such as sleep, loss of interest and inability to experience pleasure, persisting for 2 weeks. Features of major depressive episode includes depressed mood for most of the day ( or irritable mood in children or adolescents), markedly diminished interest or pleasure in most daily activities, significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain, or significant decrease or increase in appetite, ongoing insomnia or hypersomnia, psychomotor agitation or retardation, fatigue or loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, diminished ability to think or concentrate, recurrent thoughts of death, suicide ideation or suicide attempt, clinically significant distress or impairment, not associated with bereavement and persistence for longer than 2 months. Depression is not a selective illness; it affects children, teenagers, adults, and senior citizens.  The percentage of the population that is depressed at any one time is about three percent in the United States, and over a period of one year, the rates are around

Sarah presents with more than enough relevant symptoms and signs often associated with Criterion A, for a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder with a recurrent episode. Based on the duration of her symptoms and the fact that she mentions having previous episodes of depression in the past, further reinforced this diagnosis. It is important to note that none of her symptoms are attributed to any medical conditions or etiology. With no current or past history of alcohol or substance abuse/use, it is clear that these symptoms and signs have caused a change of previous functioning as noticed by her sister Gloria. Sarah reported having a depressed mood with crying spells lasting all day, for more than several weeks. Her recurrent (Criterion A1) suicidal ideation without a specific plan are explained as she reported being close to taking all the pills in her medicine cabinet. In this depressed mood, she also reports having chronic feelings of profound emptiness. This essential feature of MDD, along with her self reporting of (Criterion A2) loss of appetite as evidenced by her not going out to buy groceries to eat, could have also contributed to her rapid weight loss. Sarah reported having no energy to do anything and only watching television in bed, which can also be seen as a sign that meets (Criterion A3) of extreme fatigue. Her reporting of not bathing for a week can also meets (Criterion A4) of markedly diminished interest

My participation in this session required my full listening skills. There were many nonverbal behaviors observed. She cried profusely as she continued verbalizing many issues that were affecting her present life. She expressed a feeling of hopelessness and an inability to move forward with the things that she needed to get done. She further mentioned having full support from her husband of her situation. She explains that her husband accepts of her fully and remain non-judgmental. Despite his full support, she remained vulnerable and seemed to have not forgiven herself. Her depressive state and consistent mood swings seem too much for her to handle and her concern was an immediate way out emotionally and mentally.

It was times like these when I thought about Josh’s lodge ---- oak roof, white sheets, but without a strange woman who dyes her hair in seven different colors lying on the platform bed. She is young, skinny, pale, and charming in a weird way. She wasn’t willing to tell anyone what her last name is, so I called her “Nubby,” due to she was nuts and she had flabby behaviors.

According to DSM-5 criteria, the client exhibited characteristics matching that of a Major Depressive Disorder with Anxious Distress. Loss of interest or pleasure in most activities is evident, changes in sleep habits, decrease in appetite. She has experienced feelings of guilt by blaming herself for the relationship breakdown with her long-term boyfriend and tends to worry about a myriad of things. Although she states that she has no suicidal ideation, in the past Emily engaged in substance use to help her relax and control her thoughts but has no contact since the breakup. These symptoms have continued for most of the day, every day, for at least 2 weeks since the breakup 3 months ago. Often anxiety accompanies these symptoms causing excessive worrying about the past, present and future. Emily ruminates about how she was responsible for the failure of the relationship, how she will never find another partner, as well as everyday

Major Depressive Disorder seems like an accurate diagnosis for this patient. This patient has been through a lot of things emotionally and has not sought out the help of a professional to help her deal with what has happened to her. She went from one traumatatic experience to another and had nowhere to turn for support. She went from a possible sexual assult in college, to having to stay in a psychartic ward, to now having to go through a divorce. This patient seems to be very fragile and does not even make reference to anything in the future. Those who suffer from MDD experience everything that the patient expressed from feeling hopeless, lack of appatiate, and irregular sleep patterns. As a professional after a patient trys to cope with

Ellen has presented with several clinically significant facts. She has been referred because of continuing depressed mood and panic attacks. She is 37 and lives alone. She is described as an unhappy looking woman. Ellen has been at depression levels since 14, when she attempted suicide. She is in a PhD program, but has not made progress on her thesis in three years. She has had trouble maintaining a job and has been a student must of her adult life. She reports periods of chronic depression, but also high periods that last several months. In these manic episodes, she sleeps little, is constantly on the phone and feels her thoughts racing. Her friends and colleagues fear for her during these periods.

After Susan meets with her primary care physician, she was referred to a Rheumatologist for an official diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder with a comorbid Physical Illness of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). After discussing the possible treatment options, the patient and physician created a treatment plan that best suits Susan’s needs and to enhance her quality of life. To best manage her depression symptoms a treatment plan using the therapeutic approach and treatment management is put in place this consists of a combination of pharmacotherapy (medication), such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and behavioral therapy for reduction of stress in the body (Slavich & Irwin, 2014). Behavioral therapy is talk therapy with a qualified therapist

Major depression disorder (MDD), is known worldwide as one of the most predominant psychiatric disordered, which is characterized by the patient losing pleasure and interest in daily activities (ye, Qing, Zhang, & Liu, 2016). The patient also displays the following signs and symptoms of psychomotor retardation, insomnia, and exacerbating the experience of negative effects (Ye, Qing, Zhang, & Liu, 2016). Patients who are depressed normally have impaired role functioning, which reduces their quality of life (Gautam et al., 2017). It is currently considered to be the fourth leading cause of disability worldwide (Gautam et al., 2017). This

To this day, he still experiences symptoms of MDD, thankfully, it is not to the extent of wanting to die, although he still has days in which he reflects on all the mistakes he feels he has made but now he can turn to his significant other for help. He has made friends with other people who have depression and they help each other on the bad days. Although he still has trouble opening up about his feelings, he tries to let people in slowly and now realizes that he may look one way, but having feelings is normal and not to bury these feelings.

Sadness, hopelessness, and lack of interest in life affects the health of individuals. At times, the well-being of the older population may decline; resulting in the aforementioned signs of depression. Also, pain disturbs the fitness of the older population; hence, fatigue, and interruptions of sleep begin (Wood, Nicholas, Blyth, Asghari, & Gibson, 2010). Subsequently, the person may withdrawal from previously enjoyed events and become socially isolated. Cognitive and sensory deficits impact reporting of these issues; therefore, it is imperative that we observe non-verbal cues during our assessment. In this paper, I will further discuss depression and pain; I shall use data collected during my interview of a 70-year old female with the initials of SH.

According to my analysis, it is evident the client has a depressive disorder. I decided on diagnosing Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) because he met criteria A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H. However, I considered a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder because in the beginning of the interview, the client stated his symptoms manifested about “3 weeks” after “losing” his job. During the latter part of the interview, the client revealed his symptoms manifested years ago, but losing his job is “the straw that broke the camel’s back.” Therefore, I find the client meets the criteria for Persistent Depressive Disorder.