Major depressive disorder
Major depressive disorder is a mental disorder characterized by at least two weeks of pervasive low mood. Low self-esteem, loss of interest in normally enjoyable activities, low energy, and pain without a clear cause are common symptoms. Those affected may also occasionally have delusions or hallucinations. Major depression is more severe and lasts longer than sadness.
About Major depressive disorder in brief
Major depressive disorder is a mental disorder characterized by at least two weeks of pervasive low mood. Low self-esteem, loss of interest in normally enjoyable activities, low energy, and pain without a clear cause are common symptoms. Those affected may also occasionally have delusions or hallucinations. Major depression is more severe and lasts longer than sadness, which is a normal part of life. The most common time of onset is in a person’s 20s and 30s, with females affected about twice as often as males. Major depressive disorder affected approximately 163 million people in 2017. About 40% of the risk related to genetics. Risk factors include a family history of the condition, major life changes, certain medications, chronic health problems, and substance abuse. There is no laboratory test for the disorder, but testing may be done to rule out physical conditions that can cause similar symptoms. Treatment is based on the person’s reported experiences and a mental status examination. Those with major depressive disorder are typically treated with counseling and antidepressant medication. Medication appears to be effective, but the effect may only be significant in the most severely depressed. Depression may also coexist with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Depression is also complicating the diagnosis and treatment of both ADHD and bipolar disorder (Bipolar disorder) It is also a third of individuals diagnosed with ADHD develop depression and comorbidity with other psychiatric problems such as anxiety and its associated anxiety disorder. Half of those with major depression also have lifetime co–occurring disorders that are associated with its associated disorder.
The 1990 National Survey reports that half of those who have major depression have a lifetime co-occurence with anxiety and anxiety disorders such as depression and post-traumatic Stress Disorder ( PTSD) The percentage of people who are affected at one point in their life varies from 7% in Japan to 21% in France. Lifetime rates are higher in the developed world compared to the developing world. The disorder causes the second-most years lived with disability, after lower back pain. A person having a major depressive episode usually exhibits a low mood, which pervades all aspects of life, and an inability to experience pleasure in previously enjoyable activities. Depressed people may be preoccupied with—or ruminate over—thoughts and feelings of worthlessness, inappropriate guilt or regret, helplessness or hopelessness. In severe cases, depressed people may have symptoms of psychosis, usually unpleasant. Insomnia is common among the depressed. In the typical pattern, a person wakes very early and cannot get back to sleep. Hypersomnia, or oversleeping, can also happen. Some antidepressants may also cause insomnia due to their stimulating effect. A depressed person may report multiple physical symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, or digestive problems; physical complaints are the most common presenting problem in developing countries, according to the World Health Organization’s criteria for depression. Appetite often decreases, with resulting weight loss, although increased appetite and weight gain occasionally occur. Family and friends may notice that the person is either agitated or lethargic.
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This page is based on the article Major depressive disorder published in Wikipedia (as of Dec. 03, 2020) and was automatically summarized using artificial intelligence.
