Depressive Disorders

What does the age of onset associated with a depressive disorder suggest to you? What might it predict about that disorder?

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Major Depressive Disorder is a psychological condition that can develop at any time during an individual’s life. However, according to the DSM5 the age of onset peaks with puberty. This disorder is associated with feeling sad, worthless, and helpless everyday for weeks at a time, lack of energy, trouble sleeping and trouble with concentration, and most individuals contemplate suicide because they feel hopeless. The age of onset associated with a depressive disorder covered in the assigned readings suggested that the brain of individuals experiencing MDD is still developing and that among other things hormonal changes in these individuals may likely trigger the development/ manifestation of depressive symptoms. The age of onset predicts increased likelihood for interference with a person's lifespan development, basic ability to function and increased change for developing other disorders (including substance abuse) if it goes untreated.

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What does the cultural and familial patterns [associated with a depressive disorder covered in assigned readings] suggest to you?

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The cultural and familial patterns associated with a depressive disorder covered in assigned readings suggest that MDD symptoms manifest and are perceived differently across cultures. For example, what may appear to be symptoms of MDD in one culture may be interpreted as the manifestation of the cultural norm for grief or loss. Therefore it is important for clinicians to be culturally competent and sensitive. It is also important for clinicians to consider the client's family history, background and culture, and beliefs about mental illness.

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What does the differential diagnoses [associated with a depressive disorder covered in assigned readings] suggest to you?

The differential diagnoses associated with Depressive Disorder covered in assigned readings highlighted that individuals may show signs of different disorders that are close in nature thus suggesting a careful clinical evaluation of the presented symptoms in order to make an appropriate diagnosis. MDD common comorbidity includes anxiety disorder (panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder), obsessive-compulsive disorder, drug dependence, alcohol dependence, post-traumatic stress disorder, and personality disorder.

Reference:

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: Author.