The Symptoms of Major Depression - Case Study Example

Psychological Disorders: Case Studies Major Depression The symptoms of major depression are divided into three categories. First, there is the diminished thinking memory and decision-making. The second is the lack of motivation and negative moods all the time. The third is the apathy and social withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms could persist for weeks or months (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2014). The most vulnerable category is of people between 18 to 24 years. Limited evidence shows that there is limited genetic involvement in the cause of major depression. Abnormal neurotransmitters are shown to be present in those with major depression symptoms. Events in the person’s life, culture and cognitive style are most evidently shown to be a psychological cause of major depression. The other symptoms include changes in appetite, sleeping difficulties, thoughts of hopelessness and worthlessness, and frequent thoughts of suicide. Background Tara, a Caucasian woman, began having depression problems early in life. Her earliest memory of depression was at the age of nine where she began hating any socialization at school. She hated her teachers, and even attempted to kill herself when she was in fourth grade. She began battling with major depression at the age of seventeen, has attempted suicide and hospitalized for major depression. She has attempted counseling and electroconvulsive therapy as a way of maintaining her normalcy. She smiles a lot as a way of inhibiting her inner feelings and showing the world that she is happy. She has managed throughout this session to keep her job as a drug abuse counselor. Demographics Women are twice more likely to experience major depression symptoms than men. At least 24% of women and 15% men suffer from depression in their lifetime. At least 3% of children and 12% of adolescents suffer from depression at a particular time in their life. The main reasons for women being highly susceptible are probably explained by the hormonal changes taking place during their lifetime. At least 80% of the suicides reported in the US alone involve patients suffering from depression (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2014). Background She did not have many friends and spent most of her time alone. This made it difficult to be sociable for her. She loved staying in her room a lot because she did not want any interactions. When her boyfriend died before her senior year, she wanted to kill herself so that she could be with him. She would imbibe on any alcohol and drugs she could get just to attempt to kill herself sooner. Terry’s overall safety record is wanting because her therapy sessions seem not to have uncovered every source of her depression. She smiles a lot as a way of deflecting her moods from what really hurts her inside. Her suicidality level is high. She does not want children because she does not want to pass on her depression status and adopting is the next best thing for her. Her behaviors point to an individual who could easily relapse and she needs to get more friends to help support her during this period. Her shopping sprees could be good, but she tends to rely on outside forces to help replenish her mood. The best therapeutic method for her is the use of antidepressant drugs that help reduce the symptoms of depression and allow the individual to produce different impacts. This could be cupped with psychotherapy to identify personal and environmental factors contributing to her problems. Dealing with these factors will reduce remission of depressed behaviors (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2014). Bipolar Disorder It causes unusual shifts in an individual’s moods and energy as well as the ability to function. The individual will alternate from mania periods to debilitating depression. The mania periods are quite active and hyper-energetic. These mood swings are extreme compared to normal people. Mania people have racing thoughts and speech, though they are high distractible and have poor judgment. They are impulsive and rash and could report cases of grandiose self-esteem (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2014). Depression involves a pervasive state sense of sadness where the victims feel worthless, anxious and guilty. They feel as if the future is bleak and their conditions are helpless (Miklowitz, & Chang, 2008). The case involves Bernie, a 38-year-old African American male diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 24. He grew up in New Jersey, and grew up in a middle-class neighborhood. He says life was normal though the family had a history of mental illness. In high school, he played baseball and football, was part of the school band and chorus, as well as being part of the student council. In college, these changed. He was not a star but an average student. He encountered two hurtful breakups but went on to join the fraternity and made friends. After college, he took up a job as a social worker in prison. The earliest case noted was at the age of 17 when he began shutting himself from the rest of the world. His grades were erratic and he saw his moods became predicable too. His maniac sessions would last a week or two, while the depression could go for a month. Rapid cycling between moods seems to be common in later stages, and about two-thirds of individuals suffering from bipolar tend to remain incident free between episodes. One-third of the individuals experience residual symptoms. Alcohol abuse is common amongst such individuals. During the manic session, patients seem to have poor insight and seldom do they recognize their inappropriate behavior (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2014). The best way of treating this disorder is by the use of mood stabilizing medication. Anticonvulsant drugs are important too that could assist in keeping the moods stable and assist in the functionality of the individual. Due to the side effects from constant use of medication, the use of psychotherapy is an important means of dealing with the illness (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2014). The effective forms include the cognitive behavioral therapy and family therapy. These will assist in charting the patterns and allow effective treatment because the case of ailment can be detected easily (Miklowitz, & Chang, 2008). Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) Patients of this disorder experience chronic low-level depression that reduces their ability to perform daily functions and this persists nearly on a daily basis. They experience appetite, sleep disturbances, and can easily neglect their responsibilities. They are not able to hold jobs for long and relationships are hard to maintain. It causes changes in thinking and feeling and this affects their physical wellbeing. Poor concentration and feelings of hopelessness are also common. The case history talks about 39-year-old Robert who lives in a tiny apartment with a few acquaintances and a very sad life without any hobbies. He thinks that the reason for his sad life emanates from the fact that bullies picked on him when in school, grew up in poverty, and had a mother who hugged him too much. A diagnosis of dysthemic disorder was made in his early twenties and he has received numerous treatments such as medication and behavioral therapy. His time is spent sleeping, watching television and masturbating. These activities make him susceptible to the disease, and limit the probability of him getting any help. People suffering from this disorder are between 3-5% of the general population, and occur mainly in women than in men (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2014). Those suffering from the disorder are said to be battling unresolved episode of major depression. Psychotherapeutic approaches have been used to help treat patients. The use of cognitive-behavior therapy has been common amongst patients as therapists treat several symptoms amongst them pessimistic expectations, and self-critical evaluations. Behavior-oriented therapies and social-network and supportive counseling are essential in coming up with a treatment regime for the patient. Although it never completely ends, these methods help reduce its occurrence (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2014). References Miklowitz, D. J., & Chang, K. D. (2008). Prevention of bipolar disorder in at-risk children: Theoretical assumptions and empirical foundations. Development and Psychopathology 20(3), 881–97. Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (2014). DSM V: (ab)normal psychology 6th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill. Read More