Major Depressive Disorder One of the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders in the United States is Major depressive disorder. Major depressive disorder is defined by the National Institute of Mental Health as a common but serious mood disorder that causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleep, eating or working. For a doctor to diagnose you the symptoms must be present for a minimum of two weeks. 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 …show more content…
We will talk about the affects it has on families. We will discuss diagnosis, treatment and the stigma attached to one of the most diagnosed mental disorders in our country. Major Depression Disorder in Adults Major depressive disorder has a significant place in our country. “In 2015, an estimated 16.1 million adults aged 18 or older in the United States had at least one major depressive episode in the past year. This number represented 6.7% of all U.S. adults” (National, 2015). These numbers do not exclude bereavement, medical illness or substance use disorders. This means that almost 7 people out of every 100 are suffering from depression. Out of the estimated 16.1 million people the affects will range widely. Some will suffer from deppression so badly they will not be able to leave their houses. There may be an overwhelming sadness or maybe just a severe lack of motivation. Some will feel like they are in a constant fog. Others will be able to do basic funtions but not their normal everyday activities or on a regular basis. When these changes happen and last for weeks it becomes a clinical issue. The changes can take a toll on the human body if not addressed and treated. The way depression makes people feel can lead to struggles at work and at home. ItAt work concentration can beceome an issue as well as motivation. Depression also tends to draw the depressed away from their friends and
A major depressive episode is described as having a depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure along with five (or more) of the following symptoms: (a) significant weight loss, (b) insomnia or hypersomnia, (c) psychomotor agitation or retardation, (d) fatigue or loss of energy, (e) feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt, (f) diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, and (g) recurrent
According to the Journal of Medicine, Major Depressive Disorder is related to normal emotions of sadness and temperament. When the external cause of these emotions scatter in different directions, the diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder requires a change of mood, sadness and accompanied by at least several psychological changes. They do not sleep well, their appetite changes and lack sexual desire. Depression is a heterogeneous disorder with a highly variable course, an inconsistent response to treatment.
Major depressive disorder is a condition when a person experiences two or more weeks of depressed mood or lack of interest in things that usually gave them pleasure not due to any drugs or other medical condition. For this condition to be present a person must show at least five signs of depression (classified as: depressed mood most of the day; diminished interest in activities; significant weight loss or weight gain when not dieting; insomnia or too much sleep; lethargy; fatigue; feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt; difficulty concentrating or thinking; and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide). Bipolar disorder on the other hand is when an individual alternates between hopelessness and an overexcited state of mania. Mood disorders run in families. Women are at twice the risk of having depression and today we find that depression is widespread. Although the majority of depressive episodes end on their own they are usually induced by a stressful event. The risk of suicide or self-injury is higher in individuals who are
Depression can be dangerous. It is one of the most common mental health problems in the United States. It is reported that as many as one in every 33 children and one in eight adolescents may have depression (Center for Mental Health Services, 1998).
Major depression is a disorder, also known as clinical depression. Major Depression is a constant sense of hopelessness. (www.webmd.com, n.d.) When you have Major Depression, you will experience different symptoms, learn about treatment options, and learn how to deal with it on a day to day basis.
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
The typical description of a disease would be something that causes unwanted effects on the body; however, mental illnesses show few physical symptoms and cause problems that outsiders can rarely see. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), to be specific, is a complex disorder that occurs when a person has five of the following symptoms: a depressed mood, diminished pleasure, weight loss or gain, insomnia, lethargy, problems with concentrating, fatigue, feeling worthless, or having thoughts of suicide (Myers 3). While MDD is chronic, depression is the infrequent counterpart. The official etiology of depression is important because it is widespread and is becoming increasingly more common. Knowing why an illness occurs, in theory, can help physicians
Major depressive disorder is a topic of abnormal psychology, in abnormal psychology it lies under the category of affective disorders, as it is associated with mood. Mood disorders are psychological disorders identified by extreme emotions such as major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder. Psychiatry portrays the fundamental distinction between sadness and major depressive disorder. Statistics depict the
Depression can change or distort the way someone sees their self, their life, and those around them. People who have depression usually see everything with a more negative attitude, unable to imagine that any problem or situation can
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
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)
According to the National Institute of Mental Health there are several forms. There is major depression severe symptoms that interfere with your ability to work, sleep, and study, eat, and enjoy life. An episode can occur only once in a person’s lifetime, but more often, a person has several episodes. There is persistent depressive disorder which is depressed mood that lasts for at least 2 years.
Some types of depression are, “Major depression, Dysthymia, Bipolar disorder, and Seasonal Affective Disorder” (Mayo Clinic Health Center). Major depression is a mood disorder, this is the most common form of depression. The patient loss interest, loss appetite or have eating disorders, feels sad or worthless. This kind of depression can last for more than 6 months, sometimes up to years and if not treated can get severe. This type of depression is the most common cause of suicidal thoughts or lead to suicide.
Major Depressive Disorder is marked by sadness and any four of the following seven criteria: weight loss or weight gain, insomnia or hypersomnia, motor slowing or agitation, fatigue, worthlessness or guilt, impaired concentration, and thoughts of suicide or suicide attempt. Those with Major Depressive Disorder have never had mania or hypomania and may also have anxiety symptoms. When the Major Depressive Disorder is combined with melancholic features, then the person has a “loss of pleasure in all, or almost all, activities [and has a] lack of reactivity to usually pleasurable stimuli (does not feel better, even temporarily, when something good happens” (American Psychiatric Association, p. 185). Observations made by others, such as being tearful, is also a criterion of this disorder (American
Depression affects everyone's life at sometime or another. Depression comes in a wide variety of forms, from mild unhappiness to a chemical imbalance in the mind. There are many different symptoms that reveal a person's problem with depression. If left untreated, depression may continue to develop into a serious illness or even death.