Mod 67

Overview of Depressive Disorders

  • Depressive Disorders: Include major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, suicide, and self-injury.
  • Commonality:
    • 31% of American college students reported feeling so depressed that it affected their functioning.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

  • Definition: Characterized by the presence of at least five symptoms of depression including either:
    • Depressed mood
    • Loss of interest or pleasure
  • Duration: Symptoms must last for two weeks or more.
  • Common Symptoms (at least five required):
    1. Depressed mood.
    2. Reduced interest/pleasure in activities.
    3. Significant weight/appetite changes.
    4. Sleep disturbances (insomnia or hypersomnia).
    5. Physical agitation or lethargy.
    6. Fatigue or loss of energy.
    7. Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt.
    8. Difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
    9. Recurrent thoughts of death/suicide.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)

  • Definition: A chronic form of depression with a mild depressed mood present more often than not for two years or more.
  • Additional Symptoms (at least two):
    • Difficulty making decisions or concentrating.
    • Feelings of hopelessness.
    • Poor self-esteem.
    • Low energy or fatigue.
    • Sleep and appetite regulation issues.

Bipolar Disorder

  • Definition: Characterized by alternating episodes of:
    • Depression (sadness and lethargy)
    • Mania (heightened energy and excitement).
  • Former Name: Manic depressive disorder.

Rumination

  • Definition: The process of compulsively overthinking problems and their causes.

Suicide and Self-Injury

  • Statistics: Over 800,000 people die by suicide each year globally.
    • Risk of suicide:
    • Tripled for those experiencing anxiety.
    • Quintupled for those experiencing depression.
  • Energy Changes: People rarely commit suicide during severe depression; the risk may increase as they start to regain energy and initiative.
  • Gender Differences:
    • Women are more likely to attempt suicide.
    • Men are more likely to complete suicide.
    • Men often use more lethal methods (e.g., firearms).
  • Age Factors: Suicide rates are higher in late adulthood:
    • Highest rates among individuals aged 45-64 and 85+.

Nonsuicidal Self-Injury (NSSI)

  • Definition: Self-inflicted injury without the intention of ending life, more common in adolescents and particularly among females.
  • Examples of NSSI:
    • Cutting, burning, hitting oneself, inserting objects under nails, self-administering tattoos.
  • Demographics: Individuals with NSSI often have experienced:
    • Bullying or harassment.
    • Struggles with emotional regulation.
    • Self-criticism.
  • Motivations for NSSI:
    • Relief from negative thoughts through pain distraction.
    • Seeking attention or help.
    • Guilt relief by self-punishment.
    • Desire to fit in with peers.
  • Link to Suicide:
    • Though NSSI does not typically lead to suicide, it is a risk factor, especially when coupled with bipolar disorder.
    • Those with NSSI tendencies are usually not classified as suicide attempters but may escalate to suicidal thoughts or attempts if untreated.