In addition to understanding diagnostic criteria and prevalence rates, mental health practitioners should also be aware of the etiological components of MDD. Pearson, Palmer, Brick, Mcgeary, Knopik and Beevers (2016) stated that MDD is phenotypically diverse and genetically complex. Therefore, it is important to consider multiple etiological factors, i.e., biologic, genetic, and psychosocial. Researchers have identified norepinephrine and serotonin as the most closely associated biogenic amines to MDD and other mood disorders (Sadock, Kaplan, & Sadock, 2007). Sadock, Kaplan, and Sadock (2007) stated that norepinephrine’s role in depression may be a result of activation of certain presynaptic adrenergic receptors, which decrease the amount …show more content…
Multiple gene studies have found evidence of associations to the locus for cAMP Response-Element Binding Protein on chromosome two (Sadock, Kaplan, & Sadock, 2007). In addition, family studies have indicated a positive correlation between the likelihood of developing depression and the number of family members with depression (Sadock, Kaplan, & Sadock, 2007). Therefore, it can be deducted that genetics play a significant role in the etiology of depression. That being said, there may be psychosocial aspects behind depression as well. Sadock, Kaplan, and Sadock (2007) stated that stressful events or stimuli often precede episodes of MDD and other mood disorders. Specific events positively correlated to depression include the loss of a parent, spouse, or unemployment (Sadock, Kaplan, & Sadock, 2007). Again, leading etiologic theories behind depression included biologic, genetic, and psychosocial factors. An adequate understanding of these factors may assist practitioners to PUT SOMETHING …show more content…
To examine MDD prognosis Bousman, Potiriadis, Everall, and Gunn (2013) tested the potential effects that two methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) genetic variants (677CC and 677TT), had on MDD prognosis over a five-year span. Prognosis was evaluated by DSM-IV criteria, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. The measures were assessed on the patients every 12 months, for 5 years (Bousman, Potiriadis, Everall, & Gunn, 2013). Bousman et al. (2013) found that severity of MDD symptoms at follow-up evaluations were significantly worse in 677CC genotype carriers compared to 677TT genotype carriers. Specifically, PHQ-9 follow-up sessions revealed that the 677CC genotype carriers scored an average of 11 compared to an average of 7 for 677TT carriers (Bousman et al., 2013). Scores greater than 10 on the PHQ-9 had an 88% sensitivity rate for major depression (Jansen, 2016). Bousman et al.’s (2013) results indicated that 677CC genotype carriers who have been diagnosed with MDD may have a worse prognosis than individuals who are not carriers. Bousman et al.’s (2013) findings served as a foundational component to better understand MDD biologic prognostic
If you do not fit into a high school group you feel bad about yourself, if you cannot successfully fill all of your roles in college, then you feel inadequate and that you cannot do anything, if you do not look like the model on Instagram you feel fat and ugly and if you had a failed relationship you feel as if nobody can love you again because you are not ideal. In a study done by Lewinsohn, Gotlib, and Seeley (1995), they found that negative cognitions were a functional risk factor specific to MDD. They also stated that negative cognitions are important the Cognitive Theory of Depression by Beck (1978) and the Learned Helplessness Model of Depression by Abramson and colleagues’ which both relate to MDD and how it develops. In regards to Janet, the Learned Helpless Model of Depression is more present. This model states that a certain person knows that they are helpless in certain situations so they avoid them. Janet feels as if she cannot do anything to get her son to go to bed, so she often gives in and lets him sleep in her bed. She learned that she is helpless, so she gives into the situation every
It is not common knowledge, but people can be genetically predisposed to develop depression during their lives. Depression runs in families. It can be passed d...
If a slight physical abnormality or inconsistency exists in a BDD sufferer’s physicality, their concern is excessive – even to the point of experiencing social withdrawal and suicidal tendencies.
Incidence Prevalence. It is estimated that 5% of the United States (US) population (or approximately 10,000,000 Americans) are impacted by MDD making it the leading cause of disability in the US (Johnson and Vanderhoef 109). Unfortunately, 15% of MDD sufferers will commit suicide (Johnson and Vanderhoef 109). Thus, the importance of understanding MDD its role in mental health is crucial.
Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria. (2008) Understanding dual diagnosis: mental illness and substance use. Retrieved from http://www.mifellowship.org/sites/default/files/styles/Fact%20Sheets/Understanding%20Dual%20Diagnosis.pdf
In this paper, I will argue that genetic therapies should be allowed for diseases and disabilities that cause individuals pain, shorter life spans, and noticeable disadvantages in life. I believe this because everyone deserves to have the most even starting place in life as possible. That is no being should be limited in their life due to diseases and disabilities that can be cured with genetic therapies. I will be basing my argument off the article by “Gene Therapies and the Pursuit of a Better Human” by Sara Goering. One objection to genetic therapies is that removing disabilities and diseases might cause humans to lose sympathy towards others and their fragility (332). However, I do not believe this because there are many other events and conditions in society that spark human compassion and sympathy towards others.
Norepinephrine is produced in the pontine locus ceruleus( Holtzeimer et al., 2006). This neurotransmitter is particularly important in mediating stress response in individuals, and is thought that norepinephrine perform crucial interactions with pre and post synaptic alpha and beta adrenergic receptors. Although it is known that norepinephrine plays an important role in depressive symptoms, further research is needed to understand the role norepinephrine plays on the body, and the mechanisms in which it elicits depressive symptoms.
Depression is a mental illness, which affects millions of Americans each year. Currently there are many prescription drugs, called anti-depressants that have been proven to successfully treat it. The causes of depression are somewhat of a medical enigma, however, it is known that depression is associated with a change in the brains chemistry involving the function of neurotransmitters (Reichert). This chemical change occurs in healthy brain’s, which experience sadness, but ends after the unpleasant stimulus is removed. In people suffering from depression this chemical change does not correspond to any particular stimulus. Symptoms of depression are often incapacitating and include severe and extended sadness, feelings of worthlessness, feelings of emptiness, irritability and anxiety (Reichert, Spake).
Although these tests are designed to help conclude diagnoses, they can point to an individual being depressed at any given point in someone’s life, regardless to whether or not they have the chemical imbalance that delineates depression. More than just a chemical imbalance of Serotonin, an individual with MDD has faulty nerve cell connections. One cell may be producing enough serotonin, but the receptive cell cannot receive enough to maintain chemical equilibrium (Harvard Medical School, n.d.). The testing available is subjective and should only be considered as a guide, which to most psychologists it is. In order to accurately determine proper diagnosis of a patient, these tests should be done multiple times with the patient, and should be accompanied with alternative solutions before prescribing antidepressants. A study done in 2005, utilized 23 general physicians to diagnose 906 patients using Zung’s scale for Depression, with Major Depressive Disorder. The test was performed to determine the percentage of patients who did not meet the criteria for MDD, and whether the physicians would still diagnose them as such. The results proved that, “The rate of diagnosis of depression in non-depressed patients was 26.5%...” and concluded that, “Family physicians classify as depressed those patients who do not have the formal
biological factors for depressing are genetics, neurological, chemical, and psychological components that may predispose, or put someone at risk for mood disorders. (533) a theory states that a defect in your genes can cause depression. they play a vital role in developing mood disorders because they are involved in regulating the brain’s neurotransmitters or chemical system used for communication. (533) with the neurological compost it is important to remember that an imbalance of neurotransmitters can interfere with the communication networks and in turn result in mood disorder. also continuos stress on the brain can lead to be in over drive and causes the levels of neurotransmitters and hormones to be off balance. (533) while the psychosocial factors for depression are, such as personality traits, cognitive styles, social supports, and the ability to deal with stressors, interact with predisposing biological factors to put one at risk for developing a mood disorder. (533) some ways of treating dysthymic disorder are, antidepressants, and psychotherapy. antidepressant drugs act by increasing the levels of a specific group of neurotransmitters like monamines, serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine are involved in the regulation of emotions and moods.(534) while psychotherapy is the combination between therapy and antidepressants. for patients with severe depression both of these methods
“Globally, an estimated 350 million people of all ages suffer from depression” (WHO, 2016). Major depressive disorder (MDD) is defined as “having a depressed mood or loss of interest in usual activities which have persisted for longer than 2 weeks and is not a result of medication side effects or substance abuse. There is also no history of manic behavior” (Townsend, 2014, p. 381). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (2013) describes a person must have at least five of the following symptoms to be diagnosed with MDD:
14.8 million adults in America are affected, along with 1 in 33 children and 1 in 8 adolescents. Women happen to be twice as susceptible to depression than men, and the average age of onset is 32 years old. There are many symptoms to MDD that can be experienced physically, emotionally, through behavior, and negative thoughts. There is a general feeling of sadness, emptiness, or guilt that may or may not have reason behind it, anger or irritability, self-criticism, impaired memory/concentration, indecisiveness, suicidal thoughts or actions, chronic fatigue, loss of interest and motivation, changes in sleeping habits, significant weight changes, substance abuse, and unexplained aches and pains. These symptoms tend to negatively affect the schooling/work and even personal relationships of those affected. Most sufferers see it as something they can treat by themselves or that it is just a personal weakness as opposed to the serious condition that it is, therefore, almost two-thirds of them do not seek treatment. Treatments can include therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), behavior therapy, and psychotherapy, as well as antidepressant medications, and electroconvulsive
For effective treatment of mental health problems it is important to target the underlying biological factors.
Difference between a disease and an inherited genetic disorder: A genetic disorder is a disease that is caused by an abnormality in an individual’s DNA. Abnormalities can be as small as single-base mutation in just one gene, or they can involve the addition or subtraction of entire chromosomes. (http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/disorders/)
If I was a genetic counselor working with a couple who just had a child with Tay-Sachs disease, I would first explain that it is an inherited genetic disease. It would be important to explain the lineage of the disease and how if they were to trace their ancestry, it would most like trace back to European Jews. People of this decent have a 1 in 27 chance of being a carrier. Testing of the parents to see if they are carriers would not be necessary. I would explain that they are definitely both carriers because the only way to have a child with Tay-Sachs is to receive the defective gene from both parents and the two defective genes are now affecting each cell inside of their baby.