Major Depressive Disorder Case Study

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a problem affecting many populations, especially among women. MDD is a recognized condition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), with the signs, symptoms, and causes varying among individuals. Sociocultural factors including economic status, marital status, lifestyle changes, and substance use may influence the development of depression disorders among women throughout the world. This paper will explore these factors and their relationship to the development depression disorders in women and a brief plan for further research from a critical perspective examining the perception of depression among women who suffer from depression. Developing social programs to assist women who
In their study of depression in Kenyan university students, Caleb Othieno and colleagues found that an overwhelming majority of the participants who used tobacco exhibited some form of depression (Othieno, Okoth, Peltzer, Pengpid, & Malla, 2014). The National Comorbidity Survey conducted in 1991 found that individuals with depression were twice as likely to have substance abuse problems than individuals without mood disorders. A few theories have been posed to explain the high correlation of substance abuse and mood disorders. Disorder Fostering Disorder states that “the pathological effects of a mood disorder or SUD (substance use disorder) may increase risk for the other.” Overlapping Neurobiological Pathways theory proposes that there is a neurobiological sensitivity predisposition in vulnerable people that puts these people at a higher risk for both substance abuse as well as mood disorders. Underlying Genetic Factors theory proposes that some individuals have a genetic predisposition for substance abuse and mood disorders. This theory states that a person’s genetics may make the person likely to develop a mood disorder, which they may self-medicate to feel better; or the using individual’s brain chemistry is changed causing the individual to develop mood disorders (Quello, Brady, & Sonne,
I would take a critical-interpretive approach looking at the political, economical, and gendered factors that shape the experience of depression in women. The broad research questions would be: How do sociocultural factors influence the development of depression in women? How do these women perceive their illness? What programs can be implemented or improved to help these women cope with depression? What programs can be implemented or improved to prevent depression? An ethnographic approach would be used for gathering data. Participant observation and interviews would be used gather the data on how women suffering from depression perceive their condition. Conducting interviews and engaging in dialogue with the participants would be used for collecting data about age, occupation, economic status, marital status, education, major life events, and life changes. Asking the women how they perceive their condition, how they cope with the condition, whether they take medication to treat their depression, whether they regularly seek therapy, and how well they believe the treatment methods work for them. Asking the women what kind of support systems they believe would help them handle depression. Participant observation would be used to see how depression affects the women’s daily lives and how the women react to bouts of