Major Depressive Disorder

Introduction

Major Depressive Disorder defined by DSM-IV-TR (2000) “is characterised by one or more Major Depressive Episodes (i.e., at least 2 weeks of depressed mood or loss of interest accompanied by at least four additional symptoms of depression)”. Major Depressive Disorder affects twice as many women as men and for both genders it is most common in those who are 25-44 years of age (All About Depression.com 2011). In the case of 65 year old Mrs Adele Harper who was diagnosed at age 43, has been suffering with this disorder for many years and has now been admitted to the Acute Psychiatric ward from the Emergency Department after her daughter had found her dishevelled and extremely seated in her home after an attempt to take her own life. A care plan was devised by a nurse in order to care for this patient by identifying nursing diagnosis, possible goals, potential interventions and expected outcomes.

Pathophysiology of Major Depressive Disorder

There are several areas of the brain that are involved in the emotional and physical changes that are seen in depression (Shives 2005). Shives (2005) says while the brain of a depressed individual is generally underactive, certain areas display overactivity. The thalamus is associated with changes in emotion and is known to stimulate the amygdala. This area displays increased levels of activity in a depressed person (Shives 2005). The amygdala is responsible for negative feelings; there are displays of overactivity in this area in depressed people (Shives 2005). In depressed people there is increased activity in the cingulate gyrus. This area helps associate smells and sights with pleasant memories of past emotions. It also takes part in the emotional reaction to pain and the regul...

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... T, Hales, M, Harvey, N, Luxford, Y, Moxham, L, Park, T, Parker, B, Reid-Searl, D & Stanley, D 2010, Kozier and Erb’s Fundamentals of Nursing, 1st edn, vol. 1, Pearson Australia, NSW.

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