Diagnosing a Depression Disorder - Case Study Example

A case study illustrating a patient with depression disorder (Name) (University Affiliation) Depression is one of the mental disorders usually undermined by people. Its occurrence is increasing some patients suffering from the condition may not be readily willingly to seek for help and hence ends up suffering in silence. A case study of Charles Cyprian life has been conducted in deep context to gain understanding of how people become victims of depression without knowing. The case study also analyzes how people with depression can get from heath workers when following good interventions plan. Over the past several years, Charles Cyprian has been having some psychological problems. Being in his mid-thirties, Charles Cyprian finds it impossible to cope with most of the life dynamics including family matters and career life. He holds feeling of low mood, irritability, decreased appetite, and even at times have a feeling of committing suicide. Charles Cyprian always complains about everything in life. Charles engagement in social life is limited, he covers most of his disappointments and low feelings by taking alcohol and other drugs. Charles has limited number of friends and considers them as liabilities. Charles Cyprian doesn’t involve himself in social activities and always hold a low self-esteem. It was until then when one of his friend’s john, that Charles Cyprian decided to see a psychiatrist after being persuaded to do so. Charles Cyprian is currently undergoing a medical session with the psychiatrist to help him recover from his condition. The case study of Charles Cyprian and his carer John has been conducted to gain understanding of depression and how different cultural beliefs can have different takes on depression as a mental disorder. Through the study, knowledge on different cultures view of depression shall be analyzed to provide necessitated information. The study will be vital to help people who hold cultures and beliefs neglecting depression to change the perception to save many people suffering. Section b Depression is an underestimated mental disorder. The disease entails persistent sad feeling, anxiety, an adverse feeling of emptiness and hopelessness feeling with pessimism altitude. Dumit (2003), denotes that People suffering from depression disorder have feelings of guilt, worthlessness and negative hopes of tomorrow. Depression is further noted in a person when the person is no longer interested in hobbies and other enjoying activities of life. Persistent lack of pleasure in hanging out with other friends furthermore sex may be early signs of depression in a person. Charles Cyprian is a male black American who is recently divorced after ending a seven-year marriage relationship. Cyprian lives in a local town where he does his driving as part of his job. Cyprian only managed to reach 12th grade, he lives with people who are close family members. Charles do interact really even with his family members, he is used to single life and only deals with his problems alone. Charles behaviors were an illustration of a person suffering from depression. As most of the patients, Charles Cyprian had little awareness about depression being a health disorder. In his description, he outlined that he had a down feeling attributed to his misfortunes in life. Charles Cyprian is a black American and according to their culture and beliefs, they do understand pain and low feelings as the general suffering disguising a hidden mental disorder. According to some of the traditions that they hold, men should always show a strong character and this propelled Charles Cyprian not to disclose much he was going through. He didn’t even inform his wife as this also would have portrayed signs of weakness Charles Cyprian visit to the psychiatrist was very important. After evaluation of the symptoms, the psychiatrist found out that he had been suffering from depression without his knowledge. The problem had also negative impact to the life of Charles Cyprian. After diagnosis, the psychiatrist recommended that john who was a close friend of him to help Charles recover from his condition. John being one of his few friends now stays close to Charles to monitor his condition. Case development Definition of terms and concepts MMD- major depressive disorder DSM 5- diagnostic and statistical manual for mental disorders, a diagnosis criterion. Stereotype- a stereotype has been defined as a judgment about an individual or concept based on general knowledge and characteristics of a group. Stereotypes reduce thinking of people and always depict general characteristics associated with member groups to the individual member. Stigma- stigma refers to embarrassment and condemnation committed to anything regarded as unacceptable in the society. Comorbidity- this is the state of existence when two disorders happens hand in hand with one another. According to Dumit (2003), it has been indicated that depression and anxiety are most probable to occur concurrently Diagnosis of depression depression in Charles Cyprian was detected using DMS -5 criterion. It is through the criterion conditions provided that any physician would denote presence of depression as a major depressive disease (MMD). A patient having discomforts should be diagnosed using the criterion. It is through the criterion that depression was detected in Charles Cyprian. DSM-5 provides guidelines on how the diagnosis of depression should be carried out in a systematic manner; however, it does not provide specific tests to confirm the presence of depression in a patient. As stipulated by Rogers (2014), depression is not confined to a group of people or location. Hence, there is no existence of boundaries based on race, background, age or even wealth. This is contrary to many people’s believe that depression is associated with some specific people. DSM-V criterion gives an indication of the likelihood of existence of depression disorder when anxiety symptoms are noted in a patient. The common symptoms that gives a high chance of having depression disorder include: irrational anxiety, fixation with uncertainties, difficulty in relaxing, a nervous feeling, terror and something terrible that seems to happen (Calhoun et al, 1974). Charles Cyprian underwent DSM 5 diagnosis. He was not only ignorant but also failed to give full information regarding his well-being. The physicians had to get all his information containing his friends, family, and relatives. Proper investigations had to be done for a period of 1 month to vindicate clearly that the stipulated disorder id major depressive disorder (MDD). All the positive remarks from Charles Cyprian proved that he had the depression disorder. According to DSM-5 criterion, further stipulate that existence of conditions that are likely to coexist with the major depressive disorder may denote presence of depression disorder in a patient. (Calhoun et al., 1974) Stipulate that substance abuse which causes depressive mood , medical illness, exhibiting other psychiatric disorder such as mania, hypomania, bipolar, schizoaffective, schizophrenia , persistent thoughts of worthlessness, suicidal ideation, psychotic symptoms and psychomotor retardation are all symptoms that can aid in diagnosing depression condition in a patient in using DSM -5 criterion for diagnosing depression (Rogers 2014). Interventions likely to be effective when working with clients with depression involving family members and peers in treatment of the disease is a vital thing that will allow all the close members to understand the person suffering from depression. Charles divorced wife was involved who then provided vital information concerning Charles. This brought cure to Charles and also to his relationship as the wife finally understood her. Involvement of family members and peers aims at bringing relieve to the patient as finally he is now being understood. Seeking advice from the psychiatrist for a close member may prove useful as they may provide necessary to eliminate doubts. Charles Cyprian first encounter with John gave Charles Cyprian a clue that depression is a disease and through proper medication and treatment procedure can be treated. Failure of many people to acknowledge it as a disease puts the patients at risk of further vulnerability. Though viewed by many people as a normality, major depressive disorder is a mental illness. Charles Cyprian was made to understand by the psychiatrist that like other mental disorders, it is a normal illness that is caused by the variety of factors. Among the factors include: biological differences and physiology processes. Inherited genes make relatives of people with depression disorder to have the condition as well. Good awareness and proper information like that that conveyed to Charles Cyprian should be enhanced to people with above conditions to realize that all the causal factors may be well treated in a health center. Charles Cyprian was provided with a close friend to help him. After a short period Charles Cyprian recovered from the condition by easy. A friend who really understand a person helps him to take the tablets and ensure that the patient is heading in the right direction. A passionate personal care and partner relieves a patient stress that may result from the effects of depression. Charles Cyprian was guided by John to adopt a good response that will help him recover from depression. According to Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (1991) people suffering from depression disorder respond to symptoms in different ways and this eventually plays huge part in determining the duration of the symptoms. John guided Charles to adopt ruminative response method since it would help him in the long run. Rather than running away from the problem, Ruminative response to depression focuses on the symptoms, considering the probable causes and the dire consequences of the symptoms. These people will express longer depression than people who take the action of disengaging themselves from the symptoms. Charles Cyprian was guided by the psychiatrists on negative implications of stereotypes and stigma. Stereotype that being a man entails showing strong character and not revealing his trouble could only have ended him more in trouble than in rescue. The depression not only made him loose his family partner but also social friends. Through proper guidance, Charles Cyprian realized that disclosure of information to peers and family members brought happiness as he proceeded with recovery. Stereotypes and stigma not only affect a patient ability to disclose the information but also have negative psychological effects to the patient suffering. Social and cultural beliefs affecting patients with depression Depression is a disease that perception varies in different location and age groups. Most viewed as a disease that occurs in the old age due to adverse social and personal experiences, depression derives different understanding from various groups and may lead to negative consequences when taken in the wrong view. As denoted in Charles Cyprian case, his cultures belief affected much how he perceived the problem. Religions play a huge role in where a stint follower is made to believe that depression is for non-believers. It renders such people to seek religion intervention rather than a psychiatrist. Failure to acknowledge depression in most of the culture leads to depression. As depicted by Rogers (2014), those people getting antidepressants from medical heath care were more probable to recognize psychological signs of depression. Likelihood of an individual to develop depression condition huge depends on a variety of factors including gender where women are more vulnerable to depression than men. This is attributed to experiences such as childbearing and negative treatment from society. The rate of diagnosis of depression varies depending on how the patient presented the case. In some of the cultures, visiting a physician for depression is culturally intolerable. In these circumstances, it is normal to see that most patients would approach a doctor with somatic indications that reflect depression. Negative images and stereotypes associated with mental disorders including depression make people hide their real state and also make them fail to express their problems (Kittleson & Denkmire 2005). As stipulated by Dumit (2003), many people with mental health problems do fear to expose their weaknesses because of fear. This may lead to even further actions of committing suicide According to some cultures, men are prohibited to display any weakness and this may lead to hiding from reality as he tries to escape from the menace. Stereotype in handling mental disorders or any other illness can be mishandling Kittleson & Denkmire (2005), The way people handle and portray mental illness and other diseases can have a serious impact on how patients are treated and perceived. Charles Cyprian had lays had the notion that most people suffering from mental illness are people who behave in crazy and weird manner. The news of suffering from a mental disorder got him to a rude shock since he never expected How patient suffering from depression requires help from health workers A close connection between a patient and a patient is important to recovery from depression disorder. American Psychiatric Association. (1978) describes that a patient suffering from depression requires understanding from a health worker for effective recovery. In treatment of any disease, mistakes do arise (Rogers, 2014). Depression is a disease that covers how one sees and feels. It is, therefore, worthy for a patient to follow the guidelines fully and comprehend to a health worker guidelines as he strives to improve his/her conditions. It is the duty of a health worker to convince and ensure the patient to undertake his prescribed medication. Though some may resist, they be convinced to undertake the prscription. As seen by most people who are diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MMD), do take their medication without following given instructions from the physicians. Most clients start skipping medical doses and also skipping therapy sessions after they start recovering from depression (Rogers, 2014). Additional help that most patients do need in recovering from major perceive disorder (MMD) is being compassionate about themselves. Being compassionate not only helps while recovering from any mental health but it is vital to cure of any illness. According to (), genuine compassion involves being honest with oneself and responding positively to the needs. Compassion entails acknowledging that you are struggling, and it requires time to be okay. Heath workers should also encourage the patients to disclose what is going on to other members of public. Through hiding of what is going on, a patient may cover up the feelings but unfortunately it may lead other surrounding people to get frustrated simply because they can’t understand what is going on in a patient. They may also end up being confused. Disclosure of information helps a patient to recover rapidly as other people surrounding him understands him best. Underestimating depression is another big mistake that most patients are suffering from depression do. As denoted by (Dumit (2003), many people do underestimate the impact of depression on their lives. People try to fight the experiences of depression from within, but the symptoms may lead to withdrawing from job or even great relationship with family members and friends. Conclusion Despite the depression being considered a threat to lives of many people it still has little acknowledgement as it deserves. Different cultures approach the issue in diverse ways. As Dumit (2003), the concept and conceptualization of depression takes into a different account from various cultural backgrounds. Patient cultural context plays a significant role in the presentation of depression as a health disorder Depression is a mental disorder that exist in a person like any other heath problem. It may be caused by biological processes and phenomena such as physical changes in the brain, neurotransmitters producing chemicals that can cause depression, change in hormones or even inheritance. Like other heath conditions, there is prescribed medication of major depressive disorder (MMD) which starts once the condition is noted using DSM 5 or ICD- 10 criterion. DSM- 5 provides detailed structure and steps that a physician should carry out to diagnose depression. However due to cultural influences and social factors, many people end up suffering in silence as depression is often undermined, and people live in a stressful life while trying to cover up the condition. Like Charles Cyprian, he didn’t have any long-lasting relationship with anyone that broke out even his marriage after refusing to disclose what was happening. Denial and resistance meet many people as they try to fight the condition little did they know that they were hurting themselves. References American Psychiatric Association. (1978). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-III draft/prepared by the Task Force on Nomenclature and Statistics of the American Psychiatric Association. American Psychiatric Association. Calhoun, L. G., Cheney, T., & Dawes, A. S. (1974). Locus of control, self-reported depression, and perceived causes of depression. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 42(5), 736. Dumit, J. (2003). Is it me or my brain? Depression and neuroscientific facts. Journal of Medical Humanities, 24(1-2), 35-47. Kittleson, M. J., & Denkmire, H. (2005). The Truth About Fear and Depression. New York: Infobase Pub. Lopez, S. R., & Guarnaccia, P. J. (2000). Cultural psychopathology: Uncovering the social world of mental illness. Annual review of psychology, 51(1), 571-598. Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (1991). Responses to depression and their effects on the duration of depressive episodes. Journal of abnormal psychology, 100(4), 569. Rogers, A. (2014). A Sociology of Mental Health and Illness. Milton Keynes: Open University Press. World Health Organization. (1992). The ICD-10 classification of mental and behavioural disorders: clinical descriptions and diagnostic guidelines. Geneva: World Health Organization. Read More

Stereotype in handling mental disorders or any other illness can be mishandling Kittleson & Denkmire (2005), The way people handle and portray mental illness and other diseases can have a serious impact on how patients are treated and perceived. Charles Cyprian had lays had the notion that most people suffering from mental illness are people who behave in crazy and weird manner. The news of suffering from a mental disorder got him to a rude shock since he never expected How patient suffering from depression requires help from health workers A close connection between a patient and a patient is important to recovery from depression disorder.

American Psychiatric Association. (1978) describes that a patient suffering from depression requires understanding from a health worker for effective recovery. In treatment of any disease, mistakes do arise (Rogers, 2014). Depression is a disease that covers how one sees and feels. It is, therefore, worthy for a patient to follow the guidelines fully and comprehend to a health worker guidelines as he strives to improve his/her conditions. It is the duty of a health worker to convince and ensure the patient to undertake his prescribed medication.

Though some may resist, they be convinced to undertake the prscription. As seen by most people who are diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MMD), do take their medication without following given instructions from the physicians. Most clients start skipping medical doses and also skipping therapy sessions after they start recovering from depression (Rogers, 2014). Additional help that most patients do need in recovering from major perceive disorder (MMD) is being compassionate about themselves.

Being compassionate not only helps while recovering from any mental health but it is vital to cure of any illness. According to (), genuine compassion involves being honest with oneself and responding positively to the needs. Compassion entails acknowledging that you are struggling, and it requires time to be okay. Heath workers should also encourage the patients to disclose what is going on to other members of public. Through hiding of what is going on, a patient may cover up the feelings but unfortunately it may lead other surrounding people to get frustrated simply because they can’t understand what is going on in a patient.

They may also end up being confused. Disclosure of information helps a patient to recover rapidly as other people surrounding him understands him best. Underestimating depression is another big mistake that most patients are suffering from depression do. As denoted by (Dumit (2003), many people do underestimate the impact of depression on their lives. People try to fight the experiences of depression from within, but the symptoms may lead to withdrawing from job or even great relationship with family members and friends.

Conclusion Despite the depression being considered a threat to lives of many people it still has little acknowledgement as it deserves. Different cultures approach the issue in diverse ways. As Dumit (2003), the concept and conceptualization of depression takes into a different account from various cultural backgrounds. Patient cultural context plays a significant role in the presentation of depression as a health disorder Depression is a mental disorder that exist in a person like any other heath problem.

It may be caused by biological processes and phenomena such as physical changes in the brain, neurotransmitters producing chemicals that can cause depression, change in hormones or even inheritance. Like other heath conditions, there is prescribed medication of major depressive disorder (MMD) which starts once the condition is noted using DSM 5 or ICD- 10 criterion. DSM- 5 provides detailed structure and steps that a physician should carry out to diagnose depression. However due to cultural influences and social factors, many people end up suffering in silence as depression is often undermined, and people live in a stressful life while trying to cover up the condition.

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