Major Depressive Disorder Overview

A mental disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest, and other symptoms like changes in sleep, appetite, and energy levels.

A period of severe depression lasting at least two weeks, marked by symptoms like sadness, loss of interest, sleep disturbances, and feelings of worthlessness.

A significant risk factor for depression, suggesting a genetic predisposition.

A risk factor for depression that varies with age and gender, with women experiencing higher risks during young adulthood and men in early middle age.

Negative events and lack of support network can significantly increase the risk of depression.

The three key areas affected by depression: mood, behavior, and cognition.

The feeling of sadness, hopelessness, or numbness that pervades during a depressive episode.

A diagnostic system used by clinicians to classify mood disorders, specifically depression.

A mental health condition characterized by alternating periods of intense elation (mania) and deep depression.

A distinct period of at least one week of abnormally elevated mood, increased energy, and unusual behavior.

A period of intense feeling of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities.

The mood is abnormally elevated, but less severe than in a manic episode; lasts at least four days.

A state of heightened enthusiasm and activity, with decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts, and impulsivity.

Involves both mania and depression, with periods of normalcy in between.

Experience periods of hypomania and major depression, but never full-blown mania.

A chronic mood disorder characterized by fluctuating moods, from short periods of hypomania to mild depressive symptoms, but not meeting criteria for full-blown manic or depressive episodes.

A symptom of mania characterized by thoughts racing faster than they can be spoken, causing rapid speech and difficulty holding a conversation.

A state of elevated mood, increased energy, and rapid thoughts, often accompanied by impulsive behavior and poor judgment.

A psychological state characterized by symptoms of both mania and depression, often resulting in agitation, insomnia, and suicidal thoughts.

Overly positive self-beliefs, often inflated and unrealistic, common in manic episodes.

An increased ability to engage in activities, often with unrealistic goals and poor planning.

The inability to filter distractions and focus on relevant information, often occurring during manic episodes.

A heightened awareness of sensory experiences, such as sound and smell, often reported during manic episodes.

Monozygotic twins share all their genes, while dizygotic twins share only half. Studies have shown that if one identical twin has Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), the other twin is four times more likely to develop it compared to fraternal twins. This highlights the influence of genetics on MDD.

People with depression tend to focus more on negative emotions like sadness and anger, compared to positive emotions, and this can lead to a vicious cycle of negative thoughts and feelings.

Cognitive Distortions are faulty thought patterns that can lead to negative views of the world, self, and future. This negative thinking can contribute to and maintain depression.

The Negative Triad of Depression refers to three negative views that often characterize depression: a negative view of oneself, the world, and the future. These views can be strengthened by cognitive distortions.

People with MDD might interpret neutral events negatively, leading to a sense of hopelessness and despair. This can happen even when they don't receive negative feedback, but even a lack of positive feedback (e.g., not smiling back when greeted) can trigger this negativity.

Genetic factors can influence how a person responds to stressful events, making some individuals more susceptible to developing depression in the face of adversity.

People with depression are more likely to remember negative experiences, further reinforcing their negative views and perpetuating the cycle of depressive symptoms.

The way a person thinks about themselves, the world, and the future plays a significant role in causing and maintaining depression.

A pattern of experiencing at least four mood episodes within one year, regardless of the type of episode.

The presence of psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations or delusions, during a mood episode.

Histrionic personality disorder involves exaggerated emotional expression, attention-seeking behavior, and dramatic presentations of self. Individuals with this disorder often feel a strong need for validation and approval from others.

Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by a disregard for social norms, a lack of empathy, and impulsive behavior. Individuals with APD often engage in risky and manipulative actions.

Research suggests a possible genetic link between histrionic and antisocial personality disorders, indicating a shared predisposition.

Histrionic personality disorder might be linked to enhanced versions of two common personality traits: extraversion and neuroticism.

The five-factor model of personality (OCEAN) suggests that histrionic personality disorder involves high levels of extraversion and neuroticism.

People with histrionic personality disorder often hold core dysfunctional beliefs centered on attention-seeking for self-validation. They might believe, "I am nothing if I don't captivate people" or "I will be abandoned if I don't entertain people."

Individuals with histrionic personality disorder often believe they are special and deserve admiration from others, leading to sensitivity to negative evaluations.

The dramatic outbursts of individuals with histrionic personality disorder are often reinforced by attention from others, inadvertently perpetuating the cycle of attention-seeking behavior.