MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER

1. MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER BRENDA JAIMES P.2 PSYCHOLOGY

2. Major depressive disorder • Is a mental disorder that affects the person’s life • “condition characterized by a long-lasting depressed mood or marked loss of interest or pleasure in all or nearly all activities” (Mental disorders). • It occurs when at least five signs of depression last two or three weeks and are not caused by drugs or a medical condition.

3. Associated Features • Depression slows people down, defuses aggression and restrain risk taking • It causes feelings of worthlessness and lack of interest DSM-IV-TR • DEPRESSED MOOD (SAD.HOPELESS) • FATIGUE,ENERGY LOSS • THOUGHTS OF DEATH/SUICIDE • DIFFICULTY • LACK OF INTEREST • INSOMNIA(WAKING UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT/NOT BEING ABLE TO GO BACK TO SLEEP)) • RETARDATION • UNINTENTIONAL WIGHT LOSS/APPETITTE DECREASE OR INCREASE • DISTRESS/IMPAIRMENT

4. ETIOLOGY • The exact cause of depression is not known, but researchers believe is caused by events that happen in a person’s life. • CAUSES OF DEPRESSION: • LOSS OF A LOVED ONE • DISAPPOINTMENTS • OCCASIONAL/SAD EMOTIONS OF EVERYDAY LIFE • BUT THIS IS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE IN SOME OCCASIONS… FOR EXample: Scott Croteau was a star football player, honor student and popular student. Even though he seemed like a happy person ; he had depression which lead to suicide.

5. Major Depressive episode: • Its an emotional symptom that occurs when an event impacts your life; such as a family loss or disappointments. • When a person has one if these episodes they start having different changes/ symptoms; such as always • thinking negatively about themselves, • low self esteem, • Guilt • Unable to think clearly/cant concentrate

6. The effects of MDD (major depressive disorder) Depression causes people to… Think negative Not enjoying life(not seeing the positive things about life) Begin to think that life has no meaning Commit suicide

7. Prevalence About 17% of u.s. population will experience at least one episode of the disorder…(the symptoms). Major depressive disorder is common Out of very 100 people about 13 men and 21 women develop the disorder Teenagers are most likely to develop MDD due to developing the symptoms of sadness, loneliness, stress. MDD occurs more on woman (twice as more than men) b/c of puberty, after giving birth it causes hormonal and physical changes. Up to 15% of people with MDD die by suicide

8. treatment The first step is to get a diagnostic evaluation; the treatment depends on the outcome. MDD can be treated in a variety of ways such as antidepressant medications(to feel relief) and psychotherapies(to learn ways to deal with problems) ECT(electroconvulsive therapy) treatment that causes seizure by electrical current. (pain free, their put to sleep)This treatment is used for people who have severe depression and those who cant take antidepressants (it improves their mood-positive). People with major depression will need to take 4-9 months of medication in order to have changes and to prevent depression in the future.

9. Prognosis Treatments are effective and do help people (they decrease negative thoughts and make a person feel better) But depression is a “reoccurring problem for many people” Which means people will go through depression More than once in their life. (they will need to have treatments)

10. Ways to avoid depression: • Maintain healthy life style • No alcohol/drugs • Eat well • Get regular exercise/sleep

11. References Halgin,R.P., & Whitbourne, S.K. (2005). Abnormal psychology: clinical perspectives on psychological disorders. New York, NY: Mc Graw Hill. (2010). What is depression. http://www.allaboutdepression.com/index.html Berger. (2010). Major depression. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001941/

12. Discussion Question How does having Major Depressive Disorder affect a person’s life? Why is it that it leads to suicide in some situations?