Abstract
In this article, the writer explains the nature of major depressive disorder. The writer discusses that major depressive disorder is labeled as a "disorder" because of its impact on the lives of people that have it and the ability of the condition to disrupt the progression of normal life.

From the Paper
"At the core of major depressive disorder is evidence of the individual experiencing a "depressed mood" or a complete loss of interest in all areas of life for a period of not less than two weeks. Furthermore, the depression that the person is experiencing cannot be caused by other disorders, illnesses or addictions that will lead to depression for long periods of time. Major depressive disorder must be present after a period of two months if the individual has suffered the loss of a loved one, and the symptoms of major depressive disorder are still present. "

Tags:major, depressive, disorder

Abstract
This paper presents a case study of a female adolescent with Major Depressive Disorder with Mood Congruent Psychoses. The paper diagnoses the problem according to DSM-IV criteria. Then the paper describes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as being the most likely therapy to be effective in this case.

From the Paper
"Major Depressive Disorder is a prevalent familial and recurrent condition and often continues into adulthood in an episodic manner. In the case history considered here, it is noted that the patient's mother has had a..."

Tags:Major Depressive Disorder, Mood Congruent Psychoses, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Abstract
This paper describes special treatment considerations that should be made with Islamic Arab patients afflicted with major depressive disorder. First, the paper gives an overview of Islamic culture in the US, focusing on tradition and practices that can be seen as oppressive toward women. Additionally, the paper cites how the terror attacks of 9/11 have made Arab-Americans victims of prejudice. The paper gives an overview of major depressive disorder, exploring the symptoms and treatment options. Next, the outlook of Arab Americans toward mental illness is described and resistance that counselors may encounter with these patients. Treatment methods that may be helpful to this population are suggested, such as metaphor therapy. The paper concludes by urging social workers to develop an understanding of the beliefs and values that their clients hold dear in order to better help them.

Outline:
What it Means to be Arab-Islamic?
Depression and Arab-Islamic People
Major Depressive Disorder Diagnosis
How Arab-Islamic People View Mental Illness
Treating Arab-Islamic Patients
Suggested Methods
Implications for Social Work

From the Paper
"Women frequently are the ones who experience the bulk of the stressors within the family. In a study completed in 2006, there were 96 female suicides for every 4 male (Hassan, 2007). Men are raised to be superior to women, which sometimes results in abusive behavior. Forced marriages are also common among Arab families and are a common factor in the depression of young Arab women (Hassan, 2007). The women are also expected to be mother and teacher to their children, as well as to maintain the dignity of the family. Often, upon having children Arab women are forced to postpone their careers and life to raise the children."

Tags:Arab-Americans, counseling Muslims, depression, metaphor therapy

Abstract
Major depressive disorder is classified under a larger group of related disorders of mood, which includes bipolar I and bipolar II disorder, cyclothymic disorder and dysthymic disorder (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2000). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM IV-TR) put forth the following criteria for diagnosing a major depressive disorder seen for at least two weeks must both manifest as an abnormal mood (depressed mood, anhedonia or irritable mood in children and adolescents) and meet at least three more criteria observed for at least two weeks: feeling of fatigue; slowing or agitation in carrying out activities; poor concentration; suicidal thoughts or thoughts of dying and death; disproportionate guilt; loss of, or decrease in appetite or weight loss; increased or decreased sleep time (APA, 2000). A strong familial history may predispose an individual towards depression but is not part of the diagnostic criteria.

From the Paper
Mood Disorders: Major Depressive Disorder (Outline) I. Major features: abnormal mood; feeling of fatigue; slowing or agitation in carrying out activities; poor concentration; suicidal thoughts or thoughts of dying and death; disproportionate guilt; loss of, or decrease in appetite or weight loss; increased or decreased sleep time (APA, 2000). II. Case Example: 32 year-old female initially complaining of back pain a. Mental Status Examination b. DSM-IV Multiaxial Evaluation III. Pharmacological Treatment: Duloxetine (Cymbalta^A'A(r))

Tags:mood, disorders, depression

Abstract
This paper describes the history, causes, and treatment of major depressive disorder, as well as current research. It also looks at who is most often affected by the disorder, different forms of the disorder, how it is diagnosed, the biological and genetic processes behind the disorder, and areas requiring future research.

What Is Major Depressive Disorder
Dysthymia
A History of Depression
Diagnosis
Causes of Depression
The Biology Behind
The Genetics Behind It
Treatment
What Lies Ahead

From the Paper
"One of the fastest growing diseases in the world is, ironically, not an infectious one. Major Depressive Disorder is the leading psychological disorder in the Western world, and still growing?from 1980 to 1990 alone, the number of people diagnosed with major depression tripled, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. People born after 1945 are 10 times more likely to be depressed than those born before 1945. Major depression affects all ethnicities, ages, and socioeconomic classes, and in America, in any given one-year period, almost 10 percent of the adult population, an estimated 18.8 million people, suffer from depression. Roughly 40 million Americans will eventually experience at least one major depressive episode in their lifetime, and half of them will suffer from recurrence."

Tags:antidepressants, biochemistry, biology, brain, depression, neurogenesis, neurons, neurotransmitter, psychotherapy, science, serotonin, stress

Abstract
This paper discusses causes, symptoms and treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD). The paper begins by delineating the symptomatology of depression. Next the paper describes some of the theories of the etiology factors of MDD. The paper also addresses the role played by religiosity and other influential life events.

From the Paper
"While clinical depression is often treated by psychologists or psychiatrists, this particular mental disorder is also a common presenting problem that is addressed by clinical social workers..."

Tags:psychopathology, depression, cognitive and behavioral therapies, pharmacotherapy

Abstract
This paper discusses major depressive disorder. It describes the history of the disorder, the diagnostic features and symptoms common with it and the prevalence of the disorder. It then presents a differential diagnosis and discusses how the disorder changes depending on factors that are specific to the individual. The paper also looks at the affect of culture and gender on major depressive disorder. Finally, the paper discusses treatment options and the ramifications of the disorder for the individual.

Table of Contents:
History
Diagnostic Features
Prevalence of the Disorder
Differential Diagnosis
Course of the Disorder
Specific Cultural and Gender Feature Issues
Treatments
Psychosocial Ramifications of the Disorder
Conclusions

From the Paper
"The causes of major depressive disorder may be due to heredity, social and emotional factors, specific life events and neurotransmitter issues. Although major depressive disorder can occur at any age, it is most commonly found in people over the age of 20 and the symptoms are specific to the individual. In general, however, the symptoms indicate that the person will develop a separation from normal functioning and a distance from the pleasure that is derived from living. The extent of the disorder can be from mild to severe and the patient may exhibit periods of remission, followed by recurrences of the disorder (Field, Hayes, Johnson, McCabe, and Schneidermen, 2000, p. 69)."

Tags:consciousness, symptoms, chronic, remission, functioning

Abstract
The following paper examines the reasons why many psychologists link suicide with depressive disorders. The writer asserts that suicide takes place only when the person has lost interest in life and death seems to be the only option left, and this is exactly how a person in a state of depression may feel. Thus this paper explores 60 percent of suicide cases, where the factors that played the most influential roles were depression and mood disorders.

From the Paper
"Suicide is 11th leading cause of death in the United States and this is the reason why studying the possible causes has become even more important now than ever before. It is important to note that suicide is linked with depression in many cases and in this paper we shall try to establish this particular connection. National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey revealed that close to 80 American take their own life everyday and some 1900 visit emergency units because of attempted suicide. It is believed that no one actually plans suicide, it happens when the problems become greater than the resources available for overcoming them. But taking one's own life is no easy task and therefore there is bound to be some psychological factors influencing the final decision. We can establish the link clearly once we study depressive disorders in detail.?

Tags:modern, lifestyle, medical, experts, intensity, mild, severe, swings, mood, changes, sadness

Abstract
This paper examines the diagnosis made for adolescents who experience conduct disorder and major depressive disorder . The author examines how these two disorders effect adolescents and the differences between the above diagnosis for adults and children. In addition the author looks at the trend for African-American youth to be teacher-reported for externalized symptoms more than Euro-American youth and the risk of substance abuse that youth who suffer from co-morbid conduct disorder and depression face.

From the Paper
"Distinguishing between conduct disorder and major depressive disorder in the assessment of adolescent patients has proved to be a difficult task for clinicians (Meller & Borchardt, 1996; Herkov & Myers, 1996). While current literature has found that the two diagnoses are often comorbid, it appears that major depressive disorder may be under diagnosed, in part because the symptoms of conduct disorder tend to veil the symptoms of depression (Herkov & Myers, 1996; Swearer, 1998; Reinecke, 1995). There is evidence that adolescents express disorders differently than adults, and that "acting out" behaviors that are associated with conduct disorder may be a way for adolescents to express their depressive feelings (Reinecke, 1995). This under diagnosis of depression in adolescents is a serious problem because of the potential for improper treatment for the patient (Herkov & Myers, 1996). Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that clinicians are aware of the difficulties in discriminating between the two disorders."

Tags:disease, children, adolescents, development, mental, health

Abstract
The purpose of the article is to determine the degree to which people with Alzheimer's Disease exhibit depressive symptoms and to investigate the discrepancies between patient and care provider symptom reports.

From the Paper
"The experiment studied 233 patients that were found to have Alzheimer's Disease. In addition to these, they also studied 47 patients that were depressed, but did not have dementia and 20 people of comparable age to the Alzheimer's group who were healthy as comparison groups. All subjects in the experiment were psychologically evaluated and rated on the Hamilton Depression Scale."

Tags:dementia, loss, memory