Psychology

A mood disorder refers to a collection of diagnoses in DSM-IV-TR classification system, where an interruption in an individuals mood is purported to be the major primary characteristic. Depression is one of the major mood disorders, and is a medical condition which involves both the body and mind (American Psychiatric Association 994). It is also known as major depression, clinical depression or major depressive disorder. It affects individuals feelings, thinking as well as behavior. Depression disorder can as well result in an array of physical and emotional problems. People with this disorder may have problems carrying out daily activities (Mayo Clinic Staff 1). The purpose of this paper is to explore the symptoms, causes and DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria of depression disorder.

Major depression being one of mood disorders has signs and symptoms that include loss of sex drive, feeling of unhappiness, frustration and loss of pleasure in day to day activities. Like other mood disorders, an individual with major depression will experience excessive sleep, restlessness, slowed thinking, indecisiveness, fatigue, trouble in making essential decisions and frequent taught of committing suicide (Beck 10). This disorder affect each individual in a dissimilar way, thus symptoms differ from one person to the other. Cultural background, age, inherited traits and gender all play a significant role in how this disorder may affect an individual. In young children, depression symptoms may comprise hopelessness, sadness, worry and irritability. Symptoms in teens or adolescents may comprise anger, isolation from peers and anxiety. Slowed thinking and excessive sleep are frequent symptoms in adults and adolescents, though are never common in children (Croft 1).

The exact cause(s) of depression disorder is not yet known. Just like several mood or mental disorders, it seems a number of factors may be responsible. These include biological differences, neurotransmitters, hormones, inherited traits, life events and childhood traumatic events. Individuals with depression or other mood disorder seem to encompass physical transformations in their brains (Croft 1). The implication of these transformations remains uncertain, though may in due course assist pinpoint the causes. Additionally, natural brain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters are directly related to an individual mood and thus are thought to influence depression. Changes in the hormonal balance may as well trigger mood linked disorders, such as depression. Hormonal changes can emanate from menopause, thyroid problems and a variety of other conditions. Also, depression is more prevalent in individuals with a family history of such conditions. Several studies are being conducted to identify the gene that might be responsible for this mood related disorder. Similarly, events like financial problems, loss of a friend, death and elevated levels of stress can precipitate depression in some individuals. Whats more, traumatic events, such as death of a parent or abuse during childhood, may lead to lasting changes in a persons brain, making it highly susceptible to mood disorders, major depression included (Croft 1).   

According to DSM-IV TR, an individual suffering from depression ought to either encompass a loss of pleasure in normal activities or depressed mood constantly for a period of about two weeks (American Psychiatric Association 995). This mood should represent an alteration from an individuals typical mood, educational, occupational and social or other imperative functioning ought to be depressingly impaired by mood alteration. However, mood change as a result of substances, such as medications, drugs or medications is never diagnosed as a major depression. Equally, depression disorder can never be diagnosed if an individual contains a history of hypomanic, manic, mixed episodes or if depression is not superimposed on delusional disorder, schizophrenia, or psychotic disorder. Furthermore, when diagnosing depression disorder, symptoms resulting from bereavement are not considered unless they are consistent for a period of more than two months. In addition, symptoms, such as functional impairment, suicidal ideation, or psychomotor retardation are pertinent to diagnosis of depression disorder (American Psychiatric Association 996).

There a number of organizations that support people with mood disorders, the Mood Disorders Support Group (MDSG), is among such organizations. It is located in the New York City and was founded in 1981. MDSG serves individuals suffering from both unipolar (depression) and bipolar mood disorders, including their friends and families. The organization has found that when an individual is suffering from a mood related disorder the whole family undergoes through the same experience (Horowitz 1). Thus, supporting family members or friends is beneficial, as they will acquire the much needed skills effective in assisting the sufferer during the recovery process. Being a non profit making organization, MDSG assist individuals to accept and deal with their conditions to enhance quality of life. The organization offers an ample opportunity for those suffering from mood related disorders, such as depression or bipolar to share personal thoughts, experiences and feelings in minute, confidential gatherings. Likewise, MDSG non profit organization sponsors a variety of reliable lectures on a number of issues pertaining mood disorders. The lectures are solely designed to keep individuals with mood related disorders, their friends as well as families well-versed with current developments in the comprehension of mood disorders and the intervention for people having such disorders (Horowitz 1).