1. Major depressive disorder
Mary Jasnic and Anna Howe

2. What is Major Depressive Disorder?
“A mood disorder in which a person experiences, in the absence of drugs or a medical condition, two or more weeks of significantly depressed moods, feelings of worthlessness, and diminished interests or pleasure in most activities” (Meyers, 2007).

3. What are the symptoms? Exhaustion Loss of Interest in . . .
Family
Friends
Pleasurable Activities
Depression “feels like a combination of anguish of grief and sluggishness of jet lag” (Meyers, 2007).

4. More Symptoms . . . Feeling . . . Often experience behavior changes
Sad
Hopeless
Worthless
Pessimistic
Often experience behavior changes
Examples include new eating and sleeping patterns
(Google, 16 November 2010)

5. Diagnosis . . .
“It takes more than just tearfulness or a feeling of sadness on the part of the client to indicate the presence of depression”
In addition to a medical evaluation, a clinical interview, and possibly additional assessments, a professional will evaluate whether a person has specific symptoms of a mood disorder such as major depression, dysthymia or bipolar disorder.
Each mood disorder is characterized by a unique set of symptoms, or diagnostic criteria, which are listed in a publication called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders- Fourth Edition
A Psychiatrist is the most credible medical professional to diagnose Major Depressive Disorder.
(All About Depression.com, 17 November 2010)
(Vitals, 17 November 2010)

6. What is the Etiology of Major Depressive Disorder?
Genetic Influence . . .
Women are more likely to be at risk of Major Depressive Disorder than men.
“Approximately 20% - 25% of women and 12% of men will experience a serious depression at least once in their lifetimes”
Those with close relatives diagnosed with the major depressive disorder, or with bipolar disorder, are at a higher risk to develop depression.
(All About Depression. Com, 17 November 2010)

7. What is the Etiology of Major Depressive Disorder?
Psychological Influence . . .
A person self–esteem is a determining factor of whether or not they will develop major depressive disorder.
Low self-esteem creates
a higher risk for major
depressive disorder.
(All About Depression. Com, 17 November 2010)

8. What is the Etiology of Major Depressive Disorder?
Environmental Influence
Some people develop depression after a stressful or traumatic event in their lives.
death of a loved one, the loss of a job, or the end of a relationship are often negative and traumatic, causing great stress
Stress can also occur as the result of positive events.
getting married, moving to a new city, or starting a new job
Depression can be caused by positive or negative stressors.
(All About Depression.com, 17 November 2010)

9. Relation between social factors and Depressive Symptoms

10. What are the treatments for Major Depressive Disorder?
Mild Depression –
Psychotherapy alone is usually effective
Moderate to Severe Depression –
Antidepressants, Psychotherapy, or a combination of the two are effective
Severe to Life Threatening Depression
Electroconvulsive Therapy – a stimulation that causes a brief seizure within the brain
This treatment is for those who are unable to take antidepressant medication
(All About Depression.com, 17 November 2010)

11. Depression as a Symptom
Epilepsy
Diabetes
Hypothyroidism
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperparathyroidism
Multiple sclerosis
Stroke
Brain trauma
Wilson's disease
Lyme disease
Syphilis
Pellagra
Huntington's disease
Parkinson's disease
Cancer of the pancreas
Depression is a known symptom for many diseases:
(All About Depression.com, 17 November 2010)

12. Relation Between Physical Problems and Depressive Symptoms

13. Famous People with Major Depressive Disorder
Actors . . .
Ashley Judd, Halle Berry, Harrison Ford, Rodney Dangerfield, and Owen Wilson
Musicians . . .
Alanis Morissette, Britney Spears, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Trent Reznor, and Kurt Cobain
Athletes . . .
Eddie Griffin and Terry Bradshaw
Politicians . . .
Abraham Lincoln, Kitty Dukakis, and
Tipper Gore
(organizedwisdom.com, 17 November 2010)

14. References
Meyers, David G. (2007). Major Depressive Disorder. Psychology Eighth Edition. (pp. 659). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.
Unknown. (2010). Causes of Depression. All About Depression. Com. Retrieved from
Unknown. (2010). Major Depression. Google Health. Retrieved from
Unknown. (2010). Research Note on Celebrities with Major Depressive Disorder WisdomCard™. Celebrities with Major Depressive Disorder WisdomCard™. Retrieved from %20Disorder/large/wte/med
Unknown. (2010). What type of doctor has expertise in Major Depressive Disorder?. Vitals: where doctors are examined. Retrieved from pittsburg-mental_disorders-f03-clinical_depression_major_depressive_disorder html