Severe Depression

Paper Summary:

This paper defines the term depression as a psycho-neurotic or psychotic disorder marked by sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentrating, as well as feelings of dejection and hopelessness which can lead to suicidal tendencies. This paper supplies relevant published data and statistics pertaining to this specific topic. This paper discusses the significant increase in reported cases of severe depression. Currently, the risk of developing depression stands between 8%-12% for men and 20%-26% for women. This paper cites the findings of the World Health Organization which states that by the year 2020 severe depression will be the world's second most debilitating disease, surpassed only by heart disease. The writer contends that, although the exact causes of depression have not yet been determined, it is clear that biological, genetic and environmental factors play a significant role. Some common environmental factors linked to depression include involvement in difficult relationships, conflicts with family members, friends and co-workers and/or the death of a loved one. This paper explores the various treatments available including: Electro-convulsive therapy, psychotherapy and drug therapy while also citing the success rates for these and other treatments.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Major Depressive Disorder
Epidemiology
Etiology
Diagnosis and Clinical Presentation
Mental Status Exam
Comorbidity and Differential Diagnosis
Course and Prognosis
Treatment
Summary
Conclusion
References

From the Paper:

"The lifetime risk of developing depression is between 8 and 12 percent for men and 20 and 26 per cent for women. In any given year, approximately 12 percent of women and 7 percent of men suffer from major depression, demonstrating that women are twice as likely to experience this illness as men are. The results of a recent study by Nolen-Hoeksema, Grayson & Larson suggest that such gender differences may be because women experience "more chronic strain, a greater tendency to ruminate when distressed, and a lower sense of their mastery over their lives. In turn, these variables contribute to each other." The statistics may unfairly represent the incidence of depression in men, however."

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