Psychological Disorders Major Depressive Disorder

The IB Syllabus says: Describe the symptoms and prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder Analyze the etiologies (in terms of biological/ cognitive/sociocultural factors) of Major Depressive Disorder Discuss gender & cultural variations in the prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder

Essay Writing & Seminar in Groups (Minor) Your task is to work in 5 groups to write actual essays on the following learning objectives. You will divide the work up, and assign different paragraphs to write, and then compile your work as a group The topics you need to include and referenced to the textbook are outlined below. Make sure your writing is well structured, with a intro, body paragraphs and a conclusion. The person compiling must proof read to make sure it all flows and makes sense.

General Essay Structure….. Introduction Explain how you will answer the question Identify what theories/studies you will explain – Provide a clear thesis statement (an answer to the question). Define relevant terms if necessary Body Paragraphs Use arguments supported by specific evidence. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence which identifies your main idea or argument. Select at least three pieces of specific evidence to support your argument. REMEMBER TO EVALUATE! Conclusion Summarize main arguments Make a clear statement about the question with a reason.

Notice how 9 marks(41%) are for critical thinking (evaluation!) Rubric…

Depression Essays: To Do… 1.Complete full essays by the end of todays class 2.Make sure they have all the characteristics of a decent essay… see all instructions on the notes given 3. to by the end of the day 4.On Thursday you will participate in a seminar and share your essay to the group

Command terms…

Groups… Question 1: Describe the symptoms and prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder (Louis Christina) Question 2: Analyze the biological etiology of Major Depressive Disorder (Dillon Alessandra) Question 3: Analyze the cognitive etiology of Major Depressive Disorder (Klaire Audrey ) Question 4: Analyze the sociocultural etiology of Major Depressive Disorder (Zach Krystal) Question 5: Discuss gender & cultural variations in the prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder (Nikki Katalyna Micah)

Question 1: Describe the symptoms and prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder Essay Structure: Intro: – A v. brief outline of how the question will be answered. Body 1: A description of the prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder (p.150 textbook) - Charney and Weismann (1988) – lifetime prevalence -Department of Health (1990) –UK hospital admissions -Levav (1997) –Jewish males -Angst (1992) & Kessler et al.(1994) (from notes on statistical infrequency model) -Mention the recurrent nature of depression Body 2: A description of the symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder (p.149 & 155 textbook) -The group of disorders which major depressive disorder falls under on the DSM-IV (1994) (google this) -The axis of the DSM-IV (1994) which major depressive disorder falls under (google this) -When major depressive disorder can be diagnosed and its Affective, Behavioral, Cognitive & Somatic symptoms. -Emphasize how these have to interfere with daily life and function (on the GAF scale – failure to function adequately is important in diagnosis) -Mention Kleinman’s (1982) and Marsella’s (1979) findings from cross cultural research on the symptoms of depression (p. 155 of textbook) Conclusion: -Highlight the importance of understanding this disorder due to its high prevalence and significant impact upon the individual and society

Question 2: Analyze the biological etiology of Major Depressive Disorder Essay Structure: Intro: 1) A v. brief outline of how the question will be answered. 2) Explain the complexity of understanding the etiology of depression and the numerous factors involved – e.g. environmental change, biological factors such as neurotransmitters and hormones, negative life events, stress and genetic predisposition (p.150 of textbook) 3) Point out how it is not possible for psychiatrists and psychologists to find the single main cause of depression in any individual – but their aim is to alleviate the symptoms and consider psychosocial factors involved in order to help the person to cope (p.151 of textbook) Body 1: An analysis of the genetic factors in depression (p.151 textbook) Make it clear that genetic predisposition can only partially explain depression Outline the Nurnberger & Gershon (1982) review of twin studies (aims, procedures, conclusions) Highlight the point that “even though the concordance rates are higher for the MZ twins does not mean we can eliminate the influence of the environment”. Present Duenwald’s (2003) genetic research and Caspi et al.’s (2003) evaluation

Question 2: Analyze the biological etiology of Major Depressive Disorder Body 3: An analysis of the biochemical factors in depression (p textbook & Bio LOA notes) -Mention the ‘Monoamine Hypothesis’ (Barlow, 1995) (see Bio LOA notes on wiki) and how low levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin have been found to be associated with depression. -Mention the effect of the injection of serotonin in lobsters (Kravitz, 1988) (bio LOA notes) -Bring in Delgado & Moreno (2000) and Rampello et al (2000) to support the ‘monoamine hypothesis ‘– however, make it clear that it is REDUCTIONIST to conclude that low levels of neurotransmitters are the actual cause of depression. -Use Burns (2003) and Lacasse and Leo (2005) to highlight the limitations of the ‘monoamine hypothesis.’ -Point out that antidepressants have been v. effective in alleviating the symptoms of depression Body 4: -Briefly summarize that recent research has focused on the role of the hormone cortisol (activated in the stress response) -Use Fernald & Gunnar (2008) study of Mexican mothers to illustrate the connection between depression to cortisol -Mention how high levels of stress hormones could damage the hippocampus, and the connection to Cushing’s syndrome. Conclusion: -Highlight the importance of understanding the etiology of this disorder due to its high prevalence and significant impact upon the individual and society - also advocate a ‘biopsychosocial’ holistic approach to understanding its etiology

Question 3: Analyze the cognitive etiology of Major Depressive Disorder Essay Structure: Intro: 1) A v. brief outline of how the question will be answered. 2) Explain the complexity of understanding the etiology of depression and the numerous factors involved – e.g. environmental change, biological factors such as neurotransmitters and hormones, negative life events, stress and genetic predisposition (p.150 of textbook) 3) Point out how it is not possible for psychiatrists and psychologists to find the main cause of depression in any individual – but their aim is to alleviate the symptoms and consider psychosocial factors involved in order to help the person to cope (p.151 of textbook) Body 1: An analysis of the cognitive factors in depression – theoretical background (p textbook) Make it clear that cognitive etiology focuses on maladaptive thought patterns such as depressed cognitions, cognitive distortions, irrational beliefs and disturbances of mood. Explain Ellis ‘s(1962) Cognitive Style Theory using an example Explain Beck’s (1976) Cognitive Distortion Theory – make sure overgeneralization, non logical inference and dichotomous thinking are mentioned Body 2: An analysis of the cognitive factors in depression – research support (p.154 textbook) Research support for irrational beliefs: -Blackburn (1988) -Alloy et al. (1998) prospective longitudinal study -Evaluation – the difficultly of finding out cause and effect from this resarch Conclusion: -Highlight the importance of understanding the etiology of this disorder due to its high prevalence and significant impact upon the individual and society – also advocate a ‘biopsychosocial’ holistic approach to understanding its etiology

Question 4: Analyze the sociocultural etiology of Major Depressive Disorder Essay Structure: Intro: 1) A v. brief outline of how the question will be answered. 2) Explain the complexity of understanding the etiology of depression and the numerous factors involved – e.g. environmental change, biological factors such as neurotransmitters and hormones, negative life events, stress and genetic predisposition (p.150 of textbook) 3) Point out how it is not possible for psychiatrists and psychologists to find the main cause of depression in any individual – but their aim is to alleviate the symptoms and consider psychosocial factors involved in order to help the person to cope (p.151 of textbook) Body 1: An analysis of the sociocultural factors in depression – life events and the diathesis stress model (p textbook & Bio LOA notes) Introduce the topic by highlighting the connection between stress and illness - Tie the concept of life events back to the work we did on life events as a source of stress (see bio notes on the SRRS/ Rahe et al – in Bio LOA notes Outline the findings and conclusions of Brown & Harris (1980) research about the importance of life events and depression in Camberwell London (p.156) Explain the Brown & Harris (1980) Vulnerability Model of depression, and highlight the negative life events associated with depression Summarize by presenting ‘Diathesis Stress’ model of the depression Point out the importance of ‘individual differences’ in responses to stress in terms of a persons own appraisal of stress.

Question 4: Analyze the sociocultural etiology of Major Depressive Disorder Body 2: An analysis of the sociocultural factors in depression – cultural variations (p. 155 textbook) Explain how cultural factors play an important role in understanding the etiology of depression Present the WHO (1983) cross cultural research findings on depression - Present Prince’s (1968) early findings & Kleinman (1982) cultural differences in terms of the symptoms of depression Mention Marsella (1979) differences in symptoms between individualist and collectivist cultures Bring in Tahassum (2000) study of depression in Pakistani women in the UK to show emic etic distinctions (from Socicultural LOA) Conclude that cross cultural research has identified similar symptoms across the world, but its manifestation may be more culture specific. Conclusion: -Highlight the importance of understanding the etiology of this disorder due to its high prevalence and significant impact upon the individual and society – also advocate a ‘biopsychosocial’ holistic approach to understanding its etiology

Question 5: Discuss gender & cultural variations in the prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder Essay Structure: Intro: 1) A v. brief outline of how the question will be answered. 2) Explain the general prevalence of major depressive disorder (p.150) 3) Thesis: Make it clear that gender and cultural variations are significant factors when considering the prevalence of this disorder Body 1: A discussion of the cultural variations in depression (p textbook) Present the WHO (1983) cross cultural research findings on depression Present Prince (1968) early findings & Kleinman (1982) cultural differences in terms of the symptoms of depression Mention Marsella (1979) differences in symptoms between individualist and collectivist cultures Bring in Tahassum (2000) study of depression in Pakistani women in the UK to show emic etic distinctions (from Sociocultural LOA) Conclude that cross cultural research has identified similar symptoms across the world, but its manifestation may be more culture specific.

Question 5: Discuss gender & cultural variations in the prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder Body 2: A discussion of gender variations in depression (p textbook) Explain how gender considerations play an important role in understanding the prevalence of depression – refer to prevalence statistics on page (p.150 Department of Health 1990) Mention Williams & Hargreaves (1995) findings on the prevalence of depression in women Present the Brown & Harris (1980) study of women in Camberwell, London Connect this study to the importance of social stress in the prevalence of depression in women Evaluate the study (draw upon the points mentioned on P.157 here Body 3: Use Google to research 1 study of your own on gender and depression, and present the aims procedures, findings and conclusions of this study. 2)You could also highlight gender differences in how people cope with stress in terms of social support (from Bio LOA section on stress) and also the importance of individual differences such as Cognitive Style (type A personality/hardiness) Conclusion: -Highlight the importance of understanding the cultural and gender considerations in the prevalence of major depressive disorder so the most effective treatments can be developed.

Seminar Discussion topics…. Question 1: Describe the symptoms and prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder (Louis Christina) Question 2: Analyze the biological etiology of Major Depressive Disorder (Dillon Alessandra) Question 3: Analyze the cognitive etiology of Major Depressive Disorder (Klaire Audrey ) Question 4: Analyze the sociocultural etiology of Major Depressive Disorder (Zach Krystal) Question 5: Discuss gender & cultural variations in the prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder (Nikki Katalyna Micah) Prepare 5 questions as discussion prompts to ask on your section

Seminar Rubric (minor)

Quiz (medium) Same format as the bulimia quiz 1.Describe the symptoms and prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder……… 2.Analyze the biological etiology of Major Depressive Disorder ……… 3.Analyze the cognitive etiology of Major Depressive Disorder ……… 4.Analyze the sociocultural etiology of Major Depressive Disorder ……… 5.Discuss gender & cultural variations in the prevalence of Major Depressive ………

Depression: Video Watch the video and identify the connections between what we have studied and the content of the video.

Reflection We have come to the end of the section on psychological disorders and these were the learning objectives: 1.Describe symptoms and prevalence of Bulimia Nervosa & Major Depressive Disorder 2.Analyse etiologies (in terms of biological, cognitive and/or sociocultural factors) of Bulimia Nervosa & Major Depressive Disorder 3.Discuss cultural and gender variations in prevalence of disorders. *On the post it note write a reflection on how your knowledge and understanding of these topics has developed over the past few weeks*