Topic 7 – Psychological Disorders and Treatments

Posted: September 10th, 2022

Major Depressive Disorder: Prevalence and Symptoms

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a prevalent and serious mental health condition affecting millions of individuals worldwide. This paper aims to provide an overview of MDD’s prevalence and common symptoms based on recent statistics and research.

Prevalence:
Major Depressive Disorder is one of the most common mental illnesses globally. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 5% of adults worldwide suffer from depression (WHO, 2023). In the United States, the prevalence is even higher. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that MDD affects more than 21 million American adults, or about 8.4% of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year (ADAA, 2023).

A study published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report found that during 2020, 18.4% of U.S. adults reported having ever been diagnosed with depression, with state-level age-standardized estimates ranging from 12.7% to 26.8% (Lee et al., 2023). This indicates significant variability in depression prevalence across different regions of the country.

It’s important to note that depression affects certain demographics disproportionately. For instance, the World Health Organization reports that more women are affected by depression than men (WHO, 2023). Additionally, about 15% of youth (3.7 million) ages 12-17 experience major depressive episodes (Mental Health America, 2023).

Symptoms:
Major Depressive Disorder is characterized by a cluster of symptoms that significantly impact an individual’s daily functioning. The primary symptoms include:

Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
Irritability
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
Decreased energy or fatigue
Moving or talking more slowly
Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
Appetite and/or weight changes
Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and/or that do not ease even with treatment
The severity of these symptoms can vary. A 2019 study by the CDC found that among U.S. adults, 2.8% experienced severe symptoms of depression, 4.2% experienced moderate symptoms, and 11.5% experienced mild symptoms (Villarroel et al., 2019).

It’s crucial to note that experiencing some of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean an individual has MDD. For a diagnosis of MDD, symptoms must persist for at least two weeks and represent a change from previous functioning. Additionally, the symptoms must cause significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

Conclusion:
Major Depressive Disorder is a prevalent mental health condition affecting a significant portion of the global and U.S. population. Understanding its prevalence and recognizing its symptoms are crucial steps in addressing this serious health issue. Early recognition and intervention can lead to better outcomes for individuals suffering from MDD. As our understanding of depression continues to evolve, ongoing research and public health initiatives remain vital in addressing this significant mental health challenge.

References:

World Health Organization. (2023). Depressive disorder (depression).
Anxiety & Depression Association of America. (2023). Depression Facts & Statistics.
Lee, B., et al. (2023). National, State-Level, and County-Level Prevalence Estimates of Depression Among Adults. MMWR.
Mental Health America. (2023). Depression.
Villarroel, M.A., et al. (2019). Symptoms of Depression Among Adults: United States, 2019. NCHS Data Brief.
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PSY-102 – General Psychology

Topic 7 – Psychological Disorders and Treatments

Mental Health Brochure

PLEASE FOLLOW THE RUBRIC! GRADING IS BASED OFF OF RUBRIC!

Select a specific mental illness and create a brochure which addresses the following:

Describe the mental illness selected (description, symptoms).

Discuss stigmas associated with the mental illness selected.

Present different treatment options.

List community resources for a person diagnosed with this disorder.

When creating the brochure, consider the following:

Is there a specific population whom this brochure would be especially beneficial? For example, a brochure illustrating PTSD may be written to address soldiers or their family members. With this in mind, ensure that information and resources are focused toward this population without specifically stating the population on the brochure. It should be obvious based upon the information included, the visuals, and resources.

Use a brochure template. Templates can be found in Microsoft Word in new documents or in Office templates. Consider visual appeal, including pictures, charts, different font size, and colors, which adds appeal to the message of the brochure but is not overly distracting.

Include a minimum of three scholarly sources. Full references should be included on the brochure. In-text citation should also be included in the brochure.

While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.