Major depressive disorder
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Major depressive disorder
Psychological disorders
Bipolar and related disorders
Bipolar disorder
Medication-induced movement disorders and other adverse effects of medication
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Serotonin syndrome
Obsessive-compulsive disorders
Body dysmorphic disorder
Body focused repetitive disorders
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders
Delusional disorder
Schizoaffective disorder
Schizophrenia
Schizophreniform disorder
Substance-related and addictive disorders
Alcohol use disorder
Cannabis dependence
Cocaine dependence
Opioid dependence
Tobacco dependence
Psychological disorders review
Amnesia, dissociative disorders and delirium: Pathology review
Childhood and early-onset psychological disorders: Pathology review
Dementia: Pathology review
Developmental and learning disorders: Pathology review
Drug misuse, intoxication and withdrawal: Alcohol: Pathology review
Drug misuse, intoxication and withdrawal: Hallucinogens: Pathology review
Drug misuse, intoxication and withdrawal: Other depressants: Pathology review
Drug misuse, intoxication and withdrawal: Stimulants: Pathology review
Eating disorders: Pathology review
Malingering, factitious disorders and somatoform disorders: Pathology review
Mood disorders: Pathology review
Personality disorders: Pathology review
Psychiatric emergencies: Pathology review
Psychological sleep disorders: Pathology review
Schizophrenia spectrum disorders: Pathology review
Trauma- and stress-related disorders: Pathology review
Assessments
Major depressive disorder
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High Yield Notes
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Flashcards
Major depressive disorder
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External References
First Aid
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) p. 580
postpartum depression p. 585
Postpartum depression p. 585
SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) p. 599
postpartum depression p. 585
Transcript
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Clinical depression, which is sometimes called major depressive disorder or unipolar depression, is a serious mental disorder characterized by by persistent sadness and a loss of interest in the activities of daily life, like working, studying, participating in hobbies, eating, and sleeping.
Clinical depression has a lifetime incidence of up to 20% in women and 12% in men, making it one of the most common reasons people seek out mental health services.
In addition to being relatively common, clinical depression is very serious because it essentially leads to an overall feeling that life isn’t enjoyable.
We don’t exactly know what specifically causes clinical depression, but it’s probably the result of a combination of genetic factors, biological factors, environmental factors, and psychological factors.
It’s been shown that people with family members who have depression are three times more likely to have it themselves, especially if they’re closely related.
Medications that address the biological factors of depression focus specifically on neurotransmitters.
Neurotransmitters are signaling molecules in the brain that are released by one neuron and received by the receptors of another neuron.
Through this process, a message is transmitted from one neuron to the next.
The body’s ability to regulate how many of these neurotransmitters are sent between neurons at any given time is thought to play an important role in the development of depression’s symptoms.
That’s because neurotransmitters are likely involved in regulating a lot of brain functions, including mood, attention, sleep, appetite, and cognition.
The three main neurotransmitters that treatment for depression focuses on are serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.
That’s because medications that increase the amount of these neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft — this space between the neurons — are shown to be effective antidepressants.
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