Major Depression

Ashley DeMarte March 6th, 2013

Honors Psychology 3rd period

Depression

Depression is an umbrella name for many different depressive diseases including:

•Bipolar Disorder

•Major Depression

•Dysthymia

Other names for Major Depression

•Clinical Depression

Why do we have Depression?Depression is a genetically transmitted mental

disorder that is also affected by psychological and social aspects of an individual's life.

It is caused when there are low levels of monoamines, especially norepinephrine.

Who is affected?

Everyone is affected by this disorder, and around 5-12% of males will be diagnosed with major depression, while 10-20% of females will be diagnosed and treated.

Women are twice as likely as men to experience depression after the age of 15

Who is affected?Women are at the highest risk for their

first episode between the ages of 20-29, while men normally experience their first episode between the ages of 40-49.

People born in recent decades are more at risk for being clinically depressed than earlier generations.

Risk factors•heredity

•age

•gender

• lack of social support

• relative who was diagnosed before the age of 40

How is the mind effected?Low levels of monoamines causes a loss

of ability to work, sleep, eat, and enjoy normal activities. Areas of the brain that are affected include those in charge of body, mood, thoughts, hunger, sleeping, self image, and self confidence.

SymptomsSomeone must possess at least four of the following

symptoms to be diagnosed with clinical depression including loss of interest in activities:

•excessive weight loss/gain while not dieting

•constant sleeping problems

•agitated or greatly slowed behavior

•fatigue

•inability to think clearly

•feelings of worthlessness

•frequent thoughts of death or suicide

PrognosisWhen properly treated, depression has

not shown any limits on lifespan or other effects on the body. If not treated, symptoms may worsen and lead to suicide. The best treatment is a mixture of medication and psychotherapy.

TreatmentTreatment for depression is

becoming more readily available. Possible treatment includes medication, electroconvulsive therapy (in extreme cases), and multiple types of therapy. Antidepressants used to increase levels of monoamines include MAO's and SSRI's. Treatment prescribed depends on the physicians personal beliefs and preferences.

AntidepressantsMAO (monoamine oxidase) -

prevent the monoamines from being broken down and desrtoyed.

Most commonly associated drugs with overdoses, resulting in thousands of deaths a year

SSRI (selective serotonin inhibitors) - Prevent monoamines from being removed from where they are working.

Medical HistoryNemerof 1998 - abnormal functioning of

stress hormones (ACTH) showed hyperactivity in patients who were diagnosed with depression.

Gotlib & Hammen 1992 - symptoms come from faulty thought pattern

Honig & van Praagh 1997 - genes or fault in neurotransmitters signals monoamines

Organizations that HelpSuicide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE(1-800-784-2433)

Depression Hotline: 630-482-9696

24 hour hotlines with trained professionals ready to talk to anyone who needs help or feels distressed in a situation. Along with many other organizations, they are always ready to get you the help that you need.

CitationsJohnson, P. A. (2005). Depression. In B. Narins (Ed.), The Gale

Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders (2nd ed., Vol. 1, pp. 343-348). Detroit: Gale. Retrieved fromhttp://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CCX3451500117&v=2.1&u=cary81451&it=r&p=GPS&sw=w

GURUNG, R. A. R. (2001). Depression. In Encyclopedia of Sociology (2nd ed., Vol. 1, pp. 648-657). New York: Macmillan Reference USA. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CCX3404400093&v=2.1&u=cary81451&it=r&p=GPS&sw=w