Abstract
This paper discusses dysthymia and explains that it is a mood disorder that can be characterized as a less severe form of major depression and that it can be anything from a passing mood of sadness to a condition of misery, suicidal thoughts, and even delusions. In particular, the paper looks at current treatments such as medications and psychotherapy and proposes a new method of treatment involving making the patient understand that their problems might not be as bad as he thinks.

From the Paper
"Current treatments for dysthymia are medications and psychotherapy. Medications include antidepressant drugs such as Prozac. These medications work by slowing the removal of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. These brain chemicals are needed for normal brain functions such as controlling mood, apatite, sleep, pain, and thinking (Wikipedia). The antidepressants help make these chemicals more available to the depressed individual. The other form of treatment, psychopathology, includes therapy and counseling. Supportive counseling can help address the feelings of hopelessness and change pessimistic thinking, overly critical self-evaluations, and unrealistic expectations. Therapy can also help the individual cope with the stress that is causing the mood disorder. "

Tags:medications, psychotherapy, questionnaire

From the Paper
" Dysthymia: Medical vs. Psychological Treatments

ABSTRACT: Dysthymia has recently been diagnosed as its own unique subdivision of depression. What distinguishes dysthymia from Major Depressive Disorders is both the severity and length of the depression condition observed. Recent research suggests that psychotherapeutic treatment either administered alone, or occasionally in tandem with a pharmaceutical therapy yields the best results. Progressive interdisciplinary research indicates that an even greater scrutiny of a patient's exact social circumstances should be assessed and discussed with the patient. RESEARCH SUMMARY: Recent scientific research has focused on clarifying the difference between Major Depressive Disorders and dysthymia. Experts now believe that if this distinction between.."

Abstract
This research paper examines the relationship between adolescence beliefs about the impact of rumination and stability of traits on depression. As part of the research, an affluent sample of fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth graders are examined. The paper attempts to uncover correlations, if any, between depression and rumination, attributional style, and stability of traits and attempts to determine if there are any differences between girls and boys in terms of depression, rumination, attributional style, and stability of traits. The paper also looks at whether or not older children are more likely to suffer from depression than younger children.

Outline
Theory of Rumination and Attribution
Learned Helplessness Theory
The Hopelessness Theory
Stability of Traits
Literature Review
Major Depression
Dysthymia
Bi Polar
Causes of Depression
Depression in Adolescence
Gender Differences in Depression
Attribution Style in General
Attribution in Adolescence
Gender Differences in Attribution Style
Stability of Personality Traits
Stability of Traits in Adolescence
Gender Differences in Stability of Traits
Rumination (Introspection) Style in General
Rumination in Adolescence
Gender Differences in Rumination

From the Paper
"Depression is the preeminent mental health issue of our time. (Klerman, Markowitz, and Weissman, 2000 World Bank, 1993) Depression affects millions of people each year and can have deadly consequences if it goes untreated. (Bernal et al 1995) The National Institutes of Mental health reports that, depression effects 9.5% or nearly 19 million of the American population (Depression, 2000) Researchers have consistently attempted to understand why some individuals are more prone to the development of the disorder than others are. The disorder affects men, women, children and adults. Over the last decade, the number of adolescents suffering from depression has also increased considerably. In addition, the number of adolescents committing suicide because of prolonged depressive episodes has increased dramatically. In fact, an estimated 4% of teenagers suffer from depression (Lerner 1993). In addition, studies have suggested that adolescents as young as seventh grade are significant moodier than younger children."

Tags:constant, reflection, dysphoric, symptoms, obsessive, thinking, lifes, choices, events, explain, shyness

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 examines how there is a growing trend of depression among adolescents in the United States, a trend that has been ignored. It looks at the different forms that depression takes and how an untreated depression impairs one's ability to fully function and enjoy life. It also discusses how, while many experts recommend individual and family therapy, many families turn to antidepressants, as well as how the stigma of mental illness continues to prevent many teens from seeking treatment altogether. As a result, depressed adolescents suffer in silence from a disease that, in its earliest stages, is highly treatable.

From the Paper
"Teens with major depression could show the same symptoms as dysthymia, though these symptoms could be magnified. A major depression also causes an adolescent to experience more of these symptoms at a time. In addition to the ones already mentioned, a depressed teen can also show psychosomatic problems such as headaches or digestive disorders (Polan and Taylor 2004). They could evidence restlessness and may be unable to concentrate on tasks at hand. In addition, depressed teens could have strong feelings of guilt and a sense of worthlessness. These feelings could contribute to thoughts of death and precipitate suicide attempts."

Tags:antidepressants, dysthymia, bipolar

Abstract
This paper examines the growing problem of depression among adolescents. The first part of the paper is an overview of teen depression, looking at its causes and contrasting teen depression with depression in adults. The next part then looks at the depressive symptoms among teenagers, contrasting these with the symptoms of depression in adults. In the last part, the paper examines the various approaches that have been taken to address the problem of depression among adolescents.

From the Paper
"Teens with major depression could show the same symptoms as dysthymia, though these symptoms could be magnified. A major depression also causes an adolescent to experience more of these symptoms at a time. In addition to the ones already mentioned, a depressed teen can also show psychosomatic problems such as headaches or digestive disorders (Lewisohn et al 2003). They could evidence restlessness and may be unable to concentrate on tasks at hand. In addition, depressed teens could have strong feelings of guilt and a sense of worthlessness. These feelings could contribute to thoughts of death and precipitate suicide attempts."

Tags:dysthymia, bipolar, disorder, trauma, stress

Abstract
This essay examines the differences and similarities between mood and anxiety disorders. It provides us with definitions and symptoms of these disorders, causes, diagnosis, and treatment. This paper also looks at the impact of mood disorders on society.

From the paper:

"A bipolar patient can also experience a mixed episode, which is characterized by cycles of depression and mania occurring in the same day. A hypo-manic episode is defined by a period of persistent mood elevation or irritability that last at least four days, but this condition is not as severe and may not result in social or occupational dysfunction."

Tags:mood, elevation, major, depressive, bipolar, disorder, dysthymia, sleeping, pattern, somatic, symptoms, manic, episode

Abstract
This paper looks at depression, and how this serious condition that affects a large number of adolescents. The author defines the symptoms, how adults need to recognize the warning signs, what the contributing factors are, and the various treatments available. The paper also discusses the several types of depression that affect young adults, and the importance of family and peer support.

From the Paper
"Depression is a persistent feeling of sadness. It is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as loss of sleep, loss of appetite, headaches, along with many others. There are also various types of depression. In the last few decades there has been a rise in depression, especially in teenagers. The National Mental Health Association states that depression effects one in eight adolescents in the United States, Roy , 1999. Early detection is the key in helping people with depression. Symptoms of depression can include a drastic change in personality, persistent sadness, hopelessness, irritability, agitation, withdrawal and isolation from friends and activities, changes in eating and sleeping habits, indecision, lack of concentration, forgetfulness, low self-esteem, guilt, physical complaints like headaches and stomachaches, low enthusiasm, low energy, low motivation, drug or alcohol abuse, and thoughts of suicide."

Tags:psychology, teens, suicide, physical, factors, sadness, persistent, dysthymia, chronic