Prozac Nation
Running Head: Prozac Nation and Major Depression Disorder
Prozac Nation and Major Depression Disorder
Raquel H. Sasyn
University of Houston
Ms. Chastity Farr
Clinical Psychology
Section - 25673
April 23, 2010
Introduction
“Prozac Nation,” is a best-selling memoir written by Elizabeth Wurtzel in 1994. Based on Wurtzel’s stormy childhood and adolescence, Prozac Nation explores many topics such as major depression, family relations, and drug abuse. The story narrates Wurtzel’s life from age 11 to her senior year at Harvard University. Throughout this time, she continuously battles major depressive episodes, suicide ideations, and maladaptive human relations (New York University, 2010). Overall, the book provides an excellent example of chronic depression and its consequences. In 2001, the book was adapted into a movie. The movie, starring then new actress, Christina Ricci, clearly illustrates the original book’s main idea’s (Prozac Nation, 2001). The movie also shines with excellent theatrical performances and a well-adapted screenplay. This report will discuss the effects of major depression on Wurtzel’s life as illustrated in “Prozac Nation,” the movie. Furthermore, the development of Wurtzel’s depression will be analyzed in detail. Lastly, treatment options for major depression will be included.
Case Analysis
I. Diagnosis Even viewers without much knowledge in psychology can quickly realize that Wurtzel suffers from depression. During her college career at Harvard, she experiences a very severe depressive episode, brought on by writer’s block. Wurtzel is quite disabled by this episode, and cannot function either socially or academically (Prozac Nation, 2001). According to DSM-IV-TR, Wurtzel meets more than the five criteria required for the diagnosis of major depressive episode (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). She has a depressive episode nearly every day, sleep deprivation, and experiences anhedonia. Furthermore,
Prozac Nation and Major Depression Disorder
Raquel H. Sasyn
University of Houston
Ms. Chastity Farr
Clinical Psychology
Section - 25673
April 23, 2010
Introduction
“Prozac Nation,” is a best-selling memoir written by Elizabeth Wurtzel in 1994. Based on Wurtzel’s stormy childhood and adolescence, Prozac Nation explores many topics such as major depression, family relations, and drug abuse. The story narrates Wurtzel’s life from age 11 to her senior year at Harvard University. Throughout this time, she continuously battles major depressive episodes, suicide ideations, and maladaptive human relations (New York University, 2010). Overall, the book provides an excellent example of chronic depression and its consequences. In 2001, the book was adapted into a movie. The movie, starring then new actress, Christina Ricci, clearly illustrates the original book’s main idea’s (Prozac Nation, 2001). The movie also shines with excellent theatrical performances and a well-adapted screenplay. This report will discuss the effects of major depression on Wurtzel’s life as illustrated in “Prozac Nation,” the movie. Furthermore, the development of Wurtzel’s depression will be analyzed in detail. Lastly, treatment options for major depression will be included.
Case Analysis
I. Diagnosis Even viewers without much knowledge in psychology can quickly realize that Wurtzel suffers from depression. During her college career at Harvard, she experiences a very severe depressive episode, brought on by writer’s block. Wurtzel is quite disabled by this episode, and cannot function either socially or academically (Prozac Nation, 2001). According to DSM-IV-TR, Wurtzel meets more than the five criteria required for the diagnosis of major depressive episode (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). She has a depressive episode nearly every day, sleep deprivation, and experiences anhedonia. Furthermore,
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