About 6.7% of the United States population aged over 18 years are affected by major depressive disorder per given year (Anxiety & Depression Association of America, 2021). The median age of the onset of this mental disorder is around 32 years. In this paper, I will use the case of Andrew’s major depressive disorders to explain its characteristics, causes using biopsychosocial model and treatment methods.
Major depression also referred to as clinical depression or major depressive disorder is a mood illness that affects how a person feel, think and act. It alters how a person carries out his or her daily activities. The case of Andrew is a good example of major depression. This is because Andrew exhibits characteristics that are manifested by a person with clinical depression. These characteristics includes; feeling hopelessness, loss of interest with sex, being restless while sleeping, thoughts of suicide (Sinrich, J., 2021), angry outbursts, loss of enjoyment of work and spending too much time on television.
Andrew without doubt is having a major depression as this disorder is dominant in people in his age bracket, that is, from 24 to 35 years. His tearful conversation with his mother and grandmother is another indicator of major depression. The cause of Andrew depression may be attributed to his self-critical nature (National Institute of Mental Health, nd) . This may be due failure to meet his client’s expectations or achieve job goals. It can also be due to risk factors like history of depression in their family since both the mother and grandmother are said to be suffering from the same disorder.
Biopsychosocial model asserts that mental disorders are not as a result of a single factor, but, multiple etiological factors like social environment, biological exposure and psychological influences, play part in development of mental illnesses (Paris J., 1993). The biological risk factor in the case of Andrew is that depression is traceable in his family pedigree. This can contribute in part as the cause of his disorder. Psychological risk factors are majorly inherent from one’s childhood experiences. The conversation of Andrew with his mother and grandmother does not flow and end well. This may point to a poor parenting experience. The social risk factor that Andrew could be facing and could contribute to clinical depression would be majorly from stress from his workplace.
The social and psychological factors accelerate the mental disorder, but each cannot be solely responsible for major disorders without the biological risk factors. The case of Andrew incorporates all these factors. This contributes to his condition being too extreme and risky to his health.
The best way to approach stigma associated with mental illnesses is first to help the affected person to overcome self-stigma. The attitude the affected person develops is harmful (American Psychiatric Association, 2020). For example, in the case of Andrew, it may be responsible for the lower self-esteem, difficulties in relationships and failure of Andrew accepting he is sick. The Andrews family should be helped to overcome self-doubt and shame. They should be educated on the importance of dealing with their personal weaknesses and joining associations with people suffering from the same conditions. By doing so they will overcome the stigma and reduce the time they will spend on medication. They should not isolate themselves as Andrew does.
Andrew’s depression is treatable. Several types of treatment may be recommended for him, but, the person handling his case will choose which one suits him. One, Psychotherapy can help a lot. Andrew should be given time to talk about issues that are troubling him. This can be interpersonal therapy to help him have a healthy conversation with the mother, grandmother and the wife (Schimelpfening N., 2021). It can also be cognitive behavioral therapy to help him change the negative attitudes that may have emanated from his work. Also, family therapy can help a lot as there are other members of the family with the same condition.
Other treatment methods that may work well for Andrew are medication that incudes use of antidepressants, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, among others. These prescriptions work best when combined with therapy. Another proven and effective method of treatment that can help Andrew is self-help strategies like reading books, joining support groups and online chatrooms, eating healthy diets, regular exercises and having enough sleep (Schimelpfening N., 2021).
In conclusion, major depression should be taken care of as it can lead to other worse conditions and even death. The people around those affected should play their part to help the victims overcome this illness. On the other hand, people with minor signs of depression should be watched closely to avoid their conditions reaching critical situation.
Major depression also referred to as clinical depression or major depressive disorder is a mood illness that affects how a person feel, think and act. It alters how a person carries out his or her daily activities. The case of Andrew is a good example of major depression. This is because Andrew exhibits characteristics that are manifested by a person with clinical depression. These characteristics includes; feeling hopelessness, loss of interest with sex, being restless while sleeping, thoughts of suicide (Sinrich, J., 2021), angry outbursts, loss of enjoyment of work and spending too much time on television.
Andrew without doubt is having a major depression as this disorder is dominant in people in his age bracket, that is, from 24 to 35 years. His tearful conversation with his mother and grandmother is another indicator of major depression. The cause of Andrew depression may be attributed to his self-critical nature (National Institute of Mental Health, nd) . This may be due failure to meet his client’s expectations or achieve job goals. It can also be due to risk factors like history of depression in their family since both the mother and grandmother are said to be suffering from the same disorder.
Biopsychosocial model asserts that mental disorders are not as a result of a single factor, but, multiple etiological factors like social environment, biological exposure and psychological influences, play part in development of mental illnesses (Paris J., 1993). The biological risk factor in the case of Andrew is that depression is traceable in his family pedigree. This can contribute in part as the cause of his disorder. Psychological risk factors are majorly inherent from one’s childhood experiences. The conversation of Andrew with his mother and grandmother does not flow and end well. This may point to a poor parenting experience. The social risk factor that Andrew could be facing and could contribute to clinical depression would be majorly from stress from his workplace.
The social and psychological factors accelerate the mental disorder, but each cannot be solely responsible for major disorders without the biological risk factors. The case of Andrew incorporates all these factors. This contributes to his condition being too extreme and risky to his health.
The best way to approach stigma associated with mental illnesses is first to help the affected person to overcome self-stigma. The attitude the affected person develops is harmful (American Psychiatric Association, 2020). For example, in the case of Andrew, it may be responsible for the lower self-esteem, difficulties in relationships and failure of Andrew accepting he is sick. The Andrews family should be helped to overcome self-doubt and shame. They should be educated on the importance of dealing with their personal weaknesses and joining associations with people suffering from the same conditions. By doing so they will overcome the stigma and reduce the time they will spend on medication. They should not isolate themselves as Andrew does.
Andrew’s depression is treatable. Several types of treatment may be recommended for him, but, the person handling his case will choose which one suits him. One, Psychotherapy can help a lot. Andrew should be given time to talk about issues that are troubling him. This can be interpersonal therapy to help him have a healthy conversation with the mother, grandmother and the wife (Schimelpfening N., 2021). It can also be cognitive behavioral therapy to help him change the negative attitudes that may have emanated from his work. Also, family therapy can help a lot as there are other members of the family with the same condition.
Other treatment methods that may work well for Andrew are medication that incudes use of antidepressants, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, among others. These prescriptions work best when combined with therapy. Another proven and effective method of treatment that can help Andrew is self-help strategies like reading books, joining support groups and online chatrooms, eating healthy diets, regular exercises and having enough sleep (Schimelpfening N., 2021).
In conclusion, major depression should be taken care of as it can lead to other worse conditions and even death. The people around those affected should play their part to help the victims overcome this illness. On the other hand, people with minor signs of depression should be watched closely to avoid their conditions reaching critical situation.
