Major Depressive Disorder: A Case Study

The term “depression” was derived from a Latin verb deprimere, "to press down." Dated as far back to the 14th century, the term "to depress" meant to bring down in spirits or to conquer (AllDisease.org, 2011). Even though melancholia continued to be the leading diagnostic expression, depression increased its frequency (its usage of name) in the medical field and was a synonym by the end of its century. The DSM-I (1952) (as cited in Girdlera & Klatzkinb, 2007) refers to depressive reaction and the DSM-II (1968) (as cited in Girdlera & Klatzkinb, 2007) depressive neurosis, as words that define an extreme reaction to an identifiable conflict or an internal circumstance (DSM, 2000).

For a client who has a primary diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder, he or she will most probably show elevations on the clinical scale for depression (DEP) and all three of the clinical depression subscales DEP-C, DEP-A, and DEP-P. The client will present with elevation on the DEP scale as it measures clinical features usually seen in depressed individuals. The client will most probably have elevated scores on the DEP scale for this reason and this will suggest that the client may

Depression presents itself in a multitude of ways from rendering the individual inconsolable and helpless to the inability to connect emotionally with family and friends. Depression is a key mood involved in mood disorders. Mood disorders have many degrees of severity from a passing feeling to a serious illness. Depression is not simply black and white. Its diverse nature makes it difficult for some to understand what constitutes the term “depression,” which is why in the DSM-5 many types of depression are recognized and discussed.

Major depression is categorized as a mood disorder. There are consistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest. Emotional and physical problems are normally associated with major depression disorder or MDD. Feelings and behavior are changed due to this mood disorder. Activities of daily living and even carrying on with life period may be a struggle for those who suffer from MDD.

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

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

Major depressive disorder is the most common form of depression. It is also known as clinical depression. In order to be diagnosed, symptoms must be present for two weeks, and occurs twice as often in women as

Depression is a common and serious mood disorder. It’s more than just feeling down or sad in response to life’s struggles and setbacks, depression causes people to lose pleasure from daily life, can increase the risk of many health problems, and can even be serious enough to lead to suicide. The disease must be given more attention and treated as a global public health priority. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 7.6 percent of people over the age of 12 have depression in any 2-week period. Depression is also the second most common cause of disability worldwide after back pain,according to a review of research.

A depressive disorder can be debilitating, affecting a person’s capacity to perform everyday tasks. A MDD is defined as having separate episodes of at least 2 weeks’ in length involving definite changes in mood, cognition and in normal everyday functioning. According to the literature, the first depressive episode in a MDD occurs in the mid-twenties. However, it can also

There are also more minor forms or types of depression or even little “subsections of depression.”

Depression is a mental illness in which a person experiences deep, stable sadness and discontinued interest in nearly all activities. People also use the term depression to describe the temporary sadness, loneliness,

As a disorder that is predicted to affect 9.5% of the US adult population in any given year, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a mental illness that can last for long periods of time if left untreated (National Institute of Mental Health, n.d.). The symptoms associated with MDD vary from person to person, but the most common include a depressed mood, lack of energy, feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, irritability or guilt, fatigue, lack of interest in hobbies and activities that used to be pleasurable, weight fluctuations, suicidal thoughts, and having trouble focusing and making decisions (National Institute of Mental Health).

Major Depressive Disorder is defined as a “moderate-to-severe mood disorder in which a person experiences only major depressive episodes but no hypomanic, manic, or mixed episodes” (Butcher, Hooley, & Mineka, 2014, p. 618). Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is also referred to Major Depression. MDD is also “characterized by a combination of symptoms that interfere with a person’s ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy once-pleasurable activities. Major depression is disabling and prevents a person from functioning normally. Some people may experience only a single episode within their lifetime, but more often a person may have multiple episodes” (National Instittute of Mental Health, 2014, p. 2)

Major depressive disorder is an umbrella for other depressive disorders. Persistent depressive disorder, which is also known as dysthymia, is when someone has persistent depression for two years or more. They may have periods of lesser symptoms intertwined with major depression. Perinatal

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is currently labeled one of the world’s greatest health problems, with an estimated prevalence of 4.7% and the second highest cause of years lived with a disability in 2010. The economic impact on patients with MDD is extensive particularly in patients that do not respond to treatment. Severe MDD can lead to loss of productivity and increase mortality.