Explore BrainMass

Explore BrainMass

    Unipolar Depression

    Unipolar depression, also known as major depressive disorder, ‘melancholia’ in older times and today commonly referred to in pop culture as simply ‘depression’, is a very high-profile mental disorder affecting up to 6.7% of the population of US adults in a given year1.

    The disorder is characterized by a number of symptoms including biological ones such as insomnia, increased receptivity to colds and loss of appetite, as well as more psychological manifestations such as low self-esteem, feelings of hopelessness, social withdrawal, lack of motivation, increased anger or anxiety, reduced joy in old hobbies and, in extreme cases, suicidal tendencies. It is not unheard of for this disorder to incur other issues such as self-harm or alcoholism as a means for the sufferer to try and escape or mitigate these symptoms.

     


    Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a famous fictional figure often diagnosed by literary critics as suffering from depression.

    More modern, physiological approaches to treatment for depression have shown that there may be biological causes (and thus, biological treatments). Chemical imbalances in the brain have been targeted as likely culprits for this mood disorders, resulting in sometimes astonishingly fast recovery when corrected, especially alongside some form of psychological or social therapy.

     

    Reference:

    1. National Institute of Mental Health (). The Numbers Count: Mental Disorders in America. [ONLINE] Available at: www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-numbers-count-mental-disorders-in-america/index.shtml#MajorDepressive. [Last Accessed 9.12.2013].

    © BrainMass Inc. brainmass.com March 19, 2024, 5:36 am ad1c9bdddf

    BrainMass Solutions Available for Instant Download

    Major Depression and the Blues

    What is definition of major depression? Discuss the difference between major depression and the blues. Provide an example How do mental health professionals recognize the difference? Provide an example How are the health professional using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to detect the differenc

    Factors In Diagnosing Depression

    Discuss the difference between major depression and the blues. How do mental health professionals recognize the difference? What specifically do professionals look for to determine if a client does indeed have a depressive disorder and not just the blues?

    Theoretical Comparison and Rationale

    Please help with the following problem. Ken is a seventeen-year-old Asian American boy who attempted suicide last week. He was hospitalized for three weeks with critical injuries (broken ribs, a punctured lung, a broken arm, and a severe concussion) resulting from a deliberate attempt to crash his car into a tree. No alcohol

    Beck Depression Inventory Test

    A clinician often thinks of assessment. A new dilemma has been created. Read on...take the test if you wish. http://www.minddisorders.com/A-Br/Beck-Depression-Inventory.html The Beck Depression Inventory is a frequently used quick screening test for depression. It is possible to find the test online. The website says "

    Stress-Related Illness And Depression

    Can someone help with describing the connection between an illness that has a high co-occurrence with depression and the factors that account for its high co-occurrence with depression. Also what role does stress hormones and inflammation play in this illness. Are there any teaching strategies that might reduce the effects of th

    Stress and Depression

    I need help with an explanation of the relationship between stress and depression, and what two factors of stress response that can influence the development of depression. Also, what is the influence of depression on the immune and inflammatory response systems?

    Depression and Memory

    Describe how depression could affect memory. Provide a brief description of any biological influences on the memory of individuals with depression. Are there any memory distortions commonly involved with depression?Select two personality theories. Compare and contrast the theories, describing each theory's application to your ch

    Depression in Children

    I am doing an investigation about depression in children. These are the two articles that I chose: 1. Depression in children and adolescents, retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2907806/ 2. Depression in children and adolescents: Nature, diagnosis, assessment, and treatment. (attached) - Rev

    Interpreting Data - Depression

    Based on the information in Table 1 (attached): 1. Which group demonstrated the most gain (decrease in levels of depression) and which group demonstrated the least gain between the pretest and posttest periods? 2. Which group responded most consistently and least consistently? 3. As a counselor, would you recommend exer

    Abnormal Psychology - Depression and Theories of Abnormality

    Abnormal psychology text presents three main theories of abnormality: biological, psychological, and sociocultural. How can these perspectives be integrated to explain symptoms of depression? - What is the perspective of a theorist from each of the three models of abnormality (biological, psychological, and sociocultural perspe

    Research is presented on biological depression.

    This is your opportunity to present your side on the cause of depression, an alternative side on the cause of depression, or to produce a researched opinion on some other topic in general psychology approved by your instructor.

    Nature versus nurture notes

    Which one of the following do you think plays a greater part in development: nature or nurture? Why? What are the universal core symptoms of depression? What are some of the variations that exist in symptoms of depression across cultures? Why do you think that there are both core symptoms and varying symptoms of depression

    Mood versus depression

    Many people erroneously believe that teenagers are inherently morose and moody. In fact, it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish between moodiness and depression. Identify behaviors, thoughts, and feelings that might help to identify whether an adolescent is experiencing depression, Might adolescent girls who are depressed

    Mood Disorders: Gender Difference in the Diagnosis of Depression

    1. Discuss the potential factors that result in the 2:1 (female:male) gender difference in the diagnosis of depression. What guidelines would you use to ensure that depression is not mistakenly under-assessed with a male client? 2. How safe and effective are current medications for mood disorders? Under what conditions would

    Mood Problems in Children and Adolescents.

    Hi there, Your last response was really helpful. Could you do the same critique/comment with the attached article on depression and children titled" "Mood Problems in Children and Adolescents"? I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

    Depression - Therapy

    Describe current methods of therapies designed to combat depression. a. What are the pro's of these therapies b. What are the con's of these therapies 2. What types of drugs are available for depression a. What are the pro's of these drugs b. What are the con's of these drugs

    Sadness and Clinical Depression

    What are the differences between 'normal' and maladaptive behaviors and behavior patterns specifically with sadness and clinical depression?

    Depression Paper

    Many people become depressed at some point in their lives, but when these feelings interfere with an individual's ability to live a normal life and persist for an extended period, the individual should seek professional help. Some individuals not only experience depression but also extreme highs, known as mania, making it more d