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 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.

Symptoms Someone 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

Prognosis When 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.

Treatment Treatment 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.

Antidepressants MAO (monoamine oxidase) - prevent the monoamines from being broken down and desrtoyed. SSRI (selective serotonin inhibitors) - Prevent monoamines from being removed from where they are working. Most commonly associated drugs with overdoses, resulting in thousands of deaths a year

Medical History Nemerof abnormal functioning of stress hormones (ACTH) showed hyperactivity in patients who were diagnosed with depression. Gotlib & Hammen symptoms come from faulty thought pattern Honig & van Praagh genes or fault in neurotransmitters signals monoamines

Organizations that Help Suicide Hotline: SUICIDE ( ) Depression Hotline: 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.

Citations Johnson, P. A. (2005). Depression. In B. Narins (Ed.), The Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders (2nd ed., Vol. 1, pp ). Detroit: Gale. Retrieved fromhttp://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CCX &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 ). New York: Macmillan Reference USA. Retrieved from cary81451&it=r&p=GPS&sw=w