Major Depressive Disorder by Star-Spangled Man w/ a Plan

-Affected-

isabel_marqueszahry — 2018-06-06 21:04:20 UTC

Most of those affected by Major Depressive Disorder are female.
Typical age of onset for those with Major Depressive Disorder is around 32.5 years old.

-Biological Causes-

isabel_marqueszahry — 2018-06-06 21:06:50 UTC

Genetics
- Around 40% of people diagnosed with Depression can be traced back from a genetic link
- Those who have had a relative with Major Depressive Disorder are 5x as likely to develop this disorder in the future
- The chromosome 3p25-26 has been found within 800 families found to have Depression
Brain Activity
- A lack of Serotonin, the "feel good" chemical, in the brain can cause Depression
- The Amygdala, Hippocampus, and Thalamus have a significant role in Depression
  - Hippocampus may be smaller in those who have Depression
  - Activity in the Amygdala is reportedly higher in those who are diagnosed with Depression

-Environmental Causes-

isabel_marqueszahry — 2018-06-06 21:07:39 UTC

Envionmental factors make up 60% of the cause for people who develop Depression
Stressful life events such as the death of a loved one, being fired from work, or a traumatic experience can all cause forms of Depression
A child can develop early-onset depression by learning from their parents if one or both of their parent have depression
Some medications have serious side-affects which can cause the user to develope Depression
- Singulair: an asthma medication
- Accutane: medication for acne
- Lariam: medication used to treat Malaria
- Chantix: used by smokers to help them stop their smoking habits
Medical problems are also known to cause Depression
- Huntington’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Traumatic brain injury
- Lyme disease
- West Nile Virus
- Pancreatic cancer
If an adolecant experiences severe amounts of stress (ie. school pressures), they can develope early-onset depression that can go into their adult years

-DSM-V Criteria-

isabel_marqueszahry — 2018-06-06 21:23:40 UTC

Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either subjective report (e.g., feels sad, empty, hopeless) or observation made by others (e.g., appears tearful). (Note: In children and adolescents, can be irritable mood.)
Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day (as indicated by either subjective account or observation.)
Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain (e.g., a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month), or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day. (Note: In children, consider failure to make expected weight gain.)
Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day.
Psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down).
Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.
Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (which may be delusional) nearly every day (not merely self-reproach or guilt about being sick).
Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day (either by subjective account or as observed by others).
Recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide.

-Symptoms-

isabel_marqueszahry — 2018-06-06 21:28:33 UTC

Persisting sad, anxious or "empty" moods
Having feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
Having a loss of interest in activities and/or hobbies
Decreased energy and fatigue
Having trouble concentrating, remembering, and making decisions
Going through periods of insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
Low appetite/weight loss or overeating/ weight gain
Having persistant thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts
Restlessness and/or irritability
Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment
- Ex. headaches, digestive disorders and pain for which no other cause can be diagnosed.

-Diagnosis-

isabel_marqueszahry — 2018-06-06 21:28:59 UTC

For a professional therapist to diagnose an individual with Major Depressive Disorder, a person would have to show a minimum of 5 of the listed DSM-V criteria for at least 2 or more weeks.

-Medication-

isabel_marqueszahry — 2018-06-06 21:31:08 UTC

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)
- Sertraline
- Escitalopram
- Citalopram
- Fluoxetine
- Paroxetine
Antidepressants
- Bupropion
- Venlafaxine
- Mirtazapine
- Duloxetine
- Amitriptyline
Antipsychotic
- Aripiprazole

-Therapy-

isabel_marqueszahry — 2018-06-06 21:31:23 UTC

Cognative Behavioral Therapy
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
Behavioral Therapy
Psychotherapy
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy
Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT)

-Link-

isabel_marqueszahry — 2018-06-06 21:31:53 UTC

https://young.scot/information/mind/10-things-people-with-depression-want-you-to-know/

-Summary-

isabel_marqueszahry — 2018-06-06 21:32:23 UTC

"10 Things People with Depression Want You to Know" highlights, as the title states, 10 things that the author, Dionne McFarlane, wanted people to know about living and having Depression. Living with Depression is extremely difficult and she sheds some light into her thought process and how Depression is a mental illness to take seriously.

-Extra Info-

isabel_marqueszahry — 2018-06-06 21:33:00 UTC

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml
This link is to the National Institute of Mental Health where they explain in more detail the intricacies of Major Depressive Disorder as well as other forms of Depression that may not be well known.

-Background-

isabel_marqueszahry — 2018-06-06 21:33:52 UTC

"Genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist" - Tony Stark

Tony Stark is known in the MCU as being Iron Man, part of the Avengers along with Captain America, Hulk, Black Widow, Thor, and Hawkeye

-Symptoms-

isabel_marqueszahry — 2018-06-06 21:36:28 UTC

Extreme pessimism
Immense guilt and blames himself for things that go wrong, even if it isn't his fault
Suffers from insomnia
Acts with reckless abandon/ makes reckless decisions with no regards to his own safety
Self-loathing
Has feelings of worthlessness that was supported by his father from a young age
Exibits random pains that cannot be diagnosed as any other medical problem
- Ex. numb left arm

isabel_marqueszahry — 2018-06-06 21:38:41 UTC

isabel_marqueszahry — 2018-06-06 22:44:32 UTC

Harvard Health Publishing. “What Causes Depression? - Harvard Health.” Harvard Health Blog, www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/what-causes-depression.

“Symptoms.” Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA, adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/depression/symptoms.

“Facts & Statistics.” Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA, adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics

Tracyn. “MDD: DSM Criteria for Major Depressive Disorder.” HealthyPlace, Healthy Place, 2 Jan. 2012, www.healthyplace.com/depression/major-depression/mdd-dsm-criteria-for-major-depressive-disorder.

“Is Depression Genetic or Environmental?” Healthline, Healthline Media, www.healthline.com/health/depression/genetic.

Vann, Madeline R. “Prescription Drugs That Cause Depression.” Everyday Health, Everyday Health, 11 June 2015, www.everydayhealth.com/depression/prescription-drugs-that-cause-depression.aspx.

Carroll, Virginia K. “Is a Medical Illness Causing Your Patient's Depression?” Cutis, 16 Apr. 2018, www.mdedge.com/psychiatry/article/63655/medical-illness-causing-your-patients-depression.

“What Types of Psychotherapy Are Helpful for Anxiety and Depression?” Taking Charge of Your Health & Wellbeing, www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/what-types-psychotherapy-are-helpful-anxiety-and-depression.

“7 Types of Therapy That Can Help Depression.” Health.com, www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20310354,00.html.

“Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy.” Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy | Home, www.ipsrt.org/.

McFarlane, Dionne. “10 Things People with Depression Want You to Know.” Young Scot, young.scot/information/mind/10-things-people-with-depression-want-you-to-know/.

“Depression.” National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml.

-(IPSRT)-

isabel_marqueszahry — 2018-06-07 00:30:01 UTC

IPSRT stands for Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy and it is used to treat those diagnosed individuals with Major Depressive Disorder.
This treatment method is used in both in-patient and out-patients facilities and has been shown to be successful in helping those who have gone through treatment.
IPSRT works by helping the person understand their working and biological rhythms. It works with techniques to manage stressful events in life, adhere to any medication being taken at the time, and reduce any social disruptions experienced. This treatment teaches patients skills that can help them prevent and work through future depressive episodes.

-Misconceptions-

isabel_marqueszahry — 2018-06-07 00:58:26 UTC

A common misconception that people have when they hear Depression is that it's just feelin sad, but that is not the case. Having Depression is a mental illness that makes those feel hopeless, like there isn't any meaning to anything in their life. People also believe that people suffering from Major Depressive Disorder can just "snap out of it" by "thinking positive". People wouldn't tell someone with a broken bone to "think positive" and the bone will magically heal. Just like that bone, Depression cannot be cured that easily and it takes time to recouperate.