Depression Psychology Paper

Depression- Psychology Research Paper

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes (Rathus 4). These studies include the theorization of the causes of mental illness (Rathus 4). Many theories have resulted from people attempting to explain things not yet understood, like the biological theory (Milnes). Depression is in the category of mood disorders, which are disorders that affect a person?s mood in episodes (Milnes). There are various types of depression, with different presumed causes, explained by various theories (American Psychiatric Association 155). These types of depression are disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder (otherwise known as dysthymia), premenstrual
The criteria to be diagnosed with a seasonally affected major depressive disorder is as follows: there is a certain time of year during which major depressive episodes happen, unrelated to stressor that occur during that time of year, an extreme change in depression to mania, hypomania, or lack of depression at a certain time of year, for a period of at least two years the aforementioned characteristics have been present with no major depressive episode unrelated to the seasons occurring during the time looked at, and the previously mentioned seasonal major depressive episodes must have occurred more frequently than non-seasonal major depressive episodes over the course of the individuals lifetime. (American Psychiatric Association
(American Psychiatric Association 168). More than two of these symptoms must be present: binge eating or poor appetite, lack of the ability to sleep or excessive sleep, fatigue or low energy, lack of self-esteem, difficulty with decision making, and general feelings of hopelessness (American Psychiatric Association 169). In order to be diagnosed with this disorder, the symptoms must not be attributable to a schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia delusional disorder, any other disorders on the schizophrenia spectrum, psychotic disorder, a medicine or drug, or a medical condition (American Psychiatric Association 169). As with most depressive disorders, there is a risk of suicide (American Psychiatric Association