Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

By: Rosaria PrasadBy: Rosaria Prasad

OverviewOverview

Also known as clinical depression, major depression, unipolar depression

Type of mood disorder

Characterized by persistent low mood, low self-esteem, loss of interest and pleasure in usually enjoyable activities

Also known as clinical depression, major depression, unipolar depression

Type of mood disorder

Characterized by persistent low mood, low self-esteem, loss of interest and pleasure in usually enjoyable activities

SymptomsSymptoms

Depressed mood most of the day

Little to no interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities

Usually significant weight loss and decrease in appetite

Increase in appetite and weight can occur, but not commonly

Frequent insomnia or hypersomnia

Depressed mood most of the day

Little to no interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities

Usually significant weight loss and decrease in appetite

Increase in appetite and weight can occur, but not commonly

Frequent insomnia or hypersomnia

Feeling worthless, immense guilt, and regret

Fatigue, loss of energy frequently, lethargy

Markedly less ability to think and concentrate

Feelings of indecisiveness

Recurring thoughts of death

These are serious thoughts, sometimes even with plans or attempts for suicide

Feeling worthless, immense guilt, and regret

Fatigue, loss of energy frequently, lethargy

Markedly less ability to think and concentrate

Feelings of indecisiveness

Recurring thoughts of death

These are serious thoughts, sometimes even with plans or attempts for suicide

CausesCauses

Sometimes, MDD like symptoms are caused by other psychological disorders such as bipolar disorder, delusional disorder, psychotic disorders, and schizophrenia

Even though there may be very similar symptoms, this cannot be classified as MDD

Sometimes, MDD like symptoms are caused by other psychological disorders such as bipolar disorder, delusional disorder, psychotic disorders, and schizophrenia

Even though there may be very similar symptoms, this cannot be classified as MDD

After a loss of a family member or loved one, immediate depression and other MDD-like symptoms is not classified as MDD.

However, if these symptoms persist or worsen after a time period of two-three months, then it can be considered MDD

After a loss of a family member or loved one, immediate depression and other MDD-like symptoms is not classified as MDD.

However, if these symptoms persist or worsen after a time period of two-three months, then it can be considered MDD

Biological Theories (Causes)

Biological Theories (Causes)

Serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine

naturally present in the brain and assist communications between nerve cells

MDD is called a “chemical imbalance”

Basically means that the messengers have been depleted/reduced

Serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine

naturally present in the brain and assist communications between nerve cells

MDD is called a “chemical imbalance”

Basically means that the messengers have been depleted/reduced

Combined TheoriesCombined Theories

There is no exact cause of MDD

Most experts believe it to be a combination of many things

These include biological and chemical changes, genetics, and life events.

There is no exact cause of MDD

Most experts believe it to be a combination of many things

These include biological and chemical changes, genetics, and life events.

Biological Differencesphysical changes in the brain

Neurotransmittersserotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine

Hormonesimbalance in hormones

Biological Differencesphysical changes in the brain

Neurotransmittersserotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine

Hormonesimbalance in hormones

Inherited traits

depression is more common in people who have biological relatives with depression

researchers are looking for genes that can be linked to depression

Life events

bereavement, high stress, financial problems

Early childhood trauma

abuse or loss of family can alter the brain, possibly leading to depression

Inherited traits

depression is more common in people who have biological relatives with depression

researchers are looking for genes that can be linked to depression

Life events

bereavement, high stress, financial problems

Early childhood trauma

abuse or loss of family can alter the brain, possibly leading to depression

SubtypesSubtypes

5 subtypes recognized by the DSM-IV

Melancholic Depression

Atypical Depression

Catatonic Depression

Postpartum Depression

Seasonal Affective Disorder

5 subtypes recognized by the DSM-IV

Melancholic Depression

Atypical Depression

Catatonic Depression

Postpartum Depression

Seasonal Affective Disorder

TreatmentsTreatmentsMedicinal

antidepressants

work by restoring chemicals in the brain to the right levels

Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

focuses on fighting off negative thoughts

Psychotherapy

focuses on issues behind thoughts and feelings

Group Therapy

share problems with other people in the same situation

Medicinal

antidepressants

work by restoring chemicals in the brain to the right levels

Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

focuses on fighting off negative thoughts

Psychotherapy

focuses on issues behind thoughts and feelings

Group Therapy

share problems with other people in the same situation

How does it feel to have MDD?

How does it feel to have MDD?

It’s definitely a challenge having MDD...It’s definitely a challenge having MDD...

I just don’t feel like eating. It’s strange because before I used to be the biggest food enthusiast.

Because of this, I have significantly been losing weight. I’m not trying to lose weight or diet or anything, it’s just happening. It’s scary

I just don’t feel like eating. It’s strange because before I used to be the biggest food enthusiast.

Because of this, I have significantly been losing weight. I’m not trying to lose weight or diet or anything, it’s just happening. It’s scary

Most of the time, I just want to sit around and do nothing.

I don’t want to go out with my friends or family really.

I just want to lay in bed in the dark, but I’m still scared of my thoughts. I just feel worthless. I bask in regret and guilt.

Most of the time, I just want to sit around and do nothing.

I don’t want to go out with my friends or family really.

I just want to lay in bed in the dark, but I’m still scared of my thoughts. I just feel worthless. I bask in regret and guilt.

I used to love dancing. It was my therapy, my reprieve from the world.

Now, I don’t get the same satisfaction. I just lost all pleasure in it. I don’t want to go to dance anymore.

Also, I just don’t have the energy anymore. I feel so fatigued so easily.

I used to love dancing. It was my therapy, my reprieve from the world.

Now, I don’t get the same satisfaction. I just lost all pleasure in it. I don’t want to go to dance anymore.

Also, I just don’t have the energy anymore. I feel so fatigued so easily.

I know I always feel so lethargic and drained of energy, I still cannot sleep. I have insomnia.

On the rare occasion, I’ll go through stages where I sleep so much. This is known as hypersomnia.

I know I always feel so lethargic and drained of energy, I still cannot sleep. I have insomnia.

On the rare occasion, I’ll go through stages where I sleep so much. This is known as hypersomnia.

My parents keep trying to make me do work and study. I can’t focus or concentrate on anything.

I just get really agitated, physically and mentally.

My parents keep trying to make me do work and study. I can’t focus or concentrate on anything.

I just get really agitated, physically and mentally.

Sometimes I just like to lay around and think of death. I have made some suicide plans, and have even gone as far as to gather materials to attempt those plans.

The thought scares me, but I can’t seem to escape from it.

Sometimes I just like to lay around and think of death. I have made some suicide plans, and have even gone as far as to gather materials to attempt those plans.

The thought scares me, but I can’t seem to escape from it.

My mom keeps trying to make me go to therapy, or go to the doctor to get some medicine. I don’t want to talk about my condition and thoughts with anyone.

Would therapy be a good idea? I don’t want people to judge me. But maybe I will get something good out of it. I guess this is what they mean when they say indecision is a symptom of MDD.

My mom keeps trying to make me go to therapy, or go to the doctor to get some medicine. I don’t want to talk about my condition and thoughts with anyone.

Would therapy be a good idea? I don’t want people to judge me. But maybe I will get something good out of it. I guess this is what they mean when they say indecision is a symptom of MDD.

Websites referencedWebsites referenced

http://depression.about.com/cs/diagnosis/f/mdd.htm

http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/major-depression/overview.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_depressive_disorder

http://depression.about.com/cs/diagnosis/f/mdd.htm

http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/major-depression/overview.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_depressive_disorder