Major Depressive Disorder, Adult
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a mental health condition. It also may be called clinical depression or unipolar depression. Major depressive disorder usually causes feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or helplessness. Major depressive disorder also can cause physical symptoms. It can interfere with work, school, relationships, and other normal everyday activities. MDD may be mild, moderate, or severe. It may occur once (single episode major depressive disorder) or it may occur multiple times (recurrent major depressive disorder).
CAUSES
The exact cause of this condition is not known. MDD is most likely caused by a combination of things, which may include:
• Genetic factors. These are traits that are passed along from parent to child.
• Individual factors. Your personality, your behavior, …show more content…
○ Long-term (chronic) medical or psychiatric illnesses.
• Social factors. Traumatic experiences or major life changes may play a role in the development of MDD.
RISK FACTORS
This condition is more likely to develop in women. The following factors may also make you more likely to develop MDD:
• A family history of depression.
• Having troubled family relationships.
• Abnormally low levels of certain brain chemicals.
• Traumatic events in childhood, especially emotional abuse or the loss of a parent.
• Being under a lot of stress, especially from upsetting life experiences or losses.
• A history of:
○ Chronic physical illness.
○ Other mental health disorders.
○ Substance abuse.
• Having poor living conditions.
• Experiencing social exclusion or discrimination on a regular basis.
SYMPTOMS
The main symptoms of MDD typically include:
• Constant depressed or irritable mood.
• Loss of interest in things and
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a mental health condition. It also may be called clinical depression or unipolar depression. Major depressive disorder usually causes feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or helplessness. Major depressive disorder also can cause physical symptoms. It can interfere with work, school, relationships, and other normal everyday activities. MDD may be mild, moderate, or severe. It may occur once (single episode major depressive disorder) or it may occur multiple times (recurrent major depressive disorder).
CAUSES
The exact cause of this condition is not known. MDD is most likely caused by a combination of things, which may include:
• Genetic factors. These are traits that are passed along from parent to child.
• Individual factors. Your personality, your behavior, …show more content…
○ Long-term (chronic) medical or psychiatric illnesses.
• Social factors. Traumatic experiences or major life changes may play a role in the development of MDD.
RISK FACTORS
This condition is more likely to develop in women. The following factors may also make you more likely to develop MDD:
• A family history of depression.
• Having troubled family relationships.
• Abnormally low levels of certain brain chemicals.
• Traumatic events in childhood, especially emotional abuse or the loss of a parent.
• Being under a lot of stress, especially from upsetting life experiences or losses.
• A history of:
○ Chronic physical illness.
○ Other mental health disorders.
○ Substance abuse.
• Having poor living conditions.
• Experiencing social exclusion or discrimination on a regular basis.
SYMPTOMS
The main symptoms of MDD typically include:
• Constant depressed or irritable mood.
• Loss of interest in things and