The topic of my literature review: the causes, symptoms, and diagnosis of major depressive disorder

The five search terms I am using in the KU Library online database:

1. Depression
2. Main causes and treatment of depression disorder
3. Consequences of depression
4. Is depression manageable?
5. What are common symptoms of depression condition

What I found through my literature review search:

            Major depressive disorder (manic depressive disorder or severe depressive illness) is a prevalent yet significant mood illness (Weitz et al., 2018). It produces severe symptoms that impair one's capacity to feel, concentrate, and do routine tasks, including resting, eating, and exercising. Depression should be diagnosed after at least two weeks of episodes. Certain types of depression are subtly different or manifest differently in certain situations, including depression (often referred to as hypomanic episodes), a state of depression that lasts about one year (Deng et al., 2019). An individual diagnosed with clinical depression may experience trouble coping in addition to cycles of less severe complications, but the ailments must last at least three years. Postnatal depression is significantly more powerful than "postnatal depression" (relatively mild depressive symptomatology that generally resolves within one week of delivery), where many women suffer the following delivery. Women suffering from postnatal depression go into full-blown chronic depression during or shortly after birth. Postnatal anxiety's severe despair, nervousness, and fatigue could make it extremely difficult for such young mothers to accomplish basic care exercises for themself and their infants (Han et al., 2018).

            Psychopathic despair happens when an individual suffers from severe depression in addition to some schizophrenia, including having disturbing erroneous set convictions (delusional beliefs) or experiencing or seeing horrifying things that many others are unable to perceive or see (hallucinations). Psychotic episodes are frequently associated with depressed "themes," including remorse, deprivation, or disease. Seasonal affective disorders are defined by depression in the colder months when sunlight is scarce. Usually, this melancholy subsides during the summer months (Han et al., 2018). Although bipolar illness is distinct from depression, it is included here since someone with a borderline personality disorder has phases of incredibly low moods that satisfy the criteria for the depressive episode (referred to as "bipolar depression"). However, an individual with the psychiatric disorder may also have highly elevated – ecstatic or irritated – moods known as "maniac" or a milder variation known as "manic episodes."

            Additional psychiatric conditions that were recently added to the DSM-5 clinical categorization are destructive mood deregulation syndrome (reported in children and young adults) and body dysmorphic disorder (PMDD). Depression is among the most prevalent mental illnesses in the United States (Kennis et al., 2020). According to existing research, depression results from a complex interaction of hereditary, biochemical, socioeconomic, and behavioral characteristics (Murphy & Hankerson, 2018). Depression can strike at any age but is most frequently diagnosed in maturity. Depression is now known to exist in children and teenagers, but it often manifests as irritation rather than depression. Numerous chronic generalized anxiety problems in adults originate as anxiety symptoms.

Depression, particularly in middle-aged and older people, has been shown to co-occur with other significant medical conditions such as diabetes, leukemia, cardiovascular disease, and vascular dementia. These diseases are frequently exacerbated in the presence of depression. Occasionally, drugs used to treat these medical ailments can have adverse consequences that cause depression. A physician with experience managing these complex conditions can assist in developing the appropriate treatment approach. All but the most extreme symptoms of depression are treatable (LeMoult & Gotlib, 2019). Medication is more successful when initiated early. Typically, depression is treated with proper medicines, psychoanalysis, or a mixture of the two. If all these treatments fail to relieve symptoms, hormonal therapy and other neuromodulation could be used (Dean & Keshavan, 2017). Antidepressants are prescription medications used to treat depression. They might aid in optimizing an individual's utilization of specific neurotransmitters that regulate mood or anxiety (Kennis et al., 2020).

            One might have to experiment with several antidepressant medications before discovering one that effectively alleviates one's problems while still having controllable withdrawal symptoms. Typically, a medicine that has previously aided one or a close relative would be explored. Antidepressant drugs take time to work – typically between two and four weeks – and frequently, symptoms including insomnia, appetites, and attention problems resolve before mood improves, so it is essential to give medicines an opportunity before determining their success. If one gradually takes pharmaceuticals, do not quit without consulting a physician. Occasionally, people who take antidepressants feel much better and, afterward, discontinue the medicine on their own, relapsing into depression (Hasin et al., 2018). While an individual and their physician agree that it is appropriate to discontinue the medication, which is normally after six to twelve months, the practitioner will assist one in gradually and securely decreasing one's dosage. Suddenly discontinuing them can result in withdrawal effects.

How my topic (*major depressive disorder) relates to learning objectives:

The topic explores critical scientifically behavioral concepts of understanding the effective management and treatment of depression. The topic presents a thorough analysis of the illness's symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment.

The template for each of the five searches:

Search 1:

            I searched for ‘depression.’ It produced 2,726,974 results. I narrowed my search by checking the boxes for peer-reviewed articles published between 2017 and 2021 under the subject of psychology, only focusing on the most relevant results. I got the database under 44,774 results using the above filters and search term. In this approach, the types of returned articles were related to the benefits of cognitive science in treating depression and depression scales used in practice to determine if an individual has depression or not. Based on this search, I read an abstract by LeMoult & Gotlib (2019), "Depression: A Cognitive Perspective" (51). I learned vital information about how cognitive science plays a significant role in comprehending the beginning signs of depression and how it can be managed and treated. I would read this article in the future because it is a recent peer-reviewed scholarly article that provides a lot of credible information and insight surrounding the topic of depression.

Search 2:

            I searched for ‘main causes and treatment of depression disorder.’ It produced 211,521 results. I narrowed my search by checking the boxes for peer-reviewed articles published between 2017 and 2021 under the subject of psychology, only focusing on the most relevant results. I got the database under 5,412 results using the above filters and search term. In this approach, the types of returned articles were related to the sources of depression among low-income minority groups and some of the psychological processes that can contribute to it. Based on this search, I read an abstract by Murphy & Hankerson (2018), "Beliefs About Causes of Major Depression: Clinical and Treatment Correlates Among African Americans in an Urban Community" (594). I learned that depression is a serious issue in the United States with biological and psychosocial factors that contribute to it, and there is a lack of studies regarding how it impacts low-income racial minorities. I would read this article in the future because it is a recent peer-reviewed scholarly article with clearly identifiable objectives, methods, results, and conclusions sections and credible information about the topic.

Search 3:

            I searched for 'consequences of depression.' It produced 756,423 results. I narrowed my search by only focusing on the most relevant results. I narrowed my search by checking the boxes for peer-reviewed articles published between 2017 and 2021 under the subject of psychology, only focusing on the most relevant results. I got the database under 19,536 results using the above filters and search term. In this approach, the types of returned articles were related to the outcomes of depression and the factors that contribute to it. Based on this search, I read an abstract by Deng et al. (2019), "Pleasing or Withdrawing: Differences between Dependent and Self-Critical Depression in Psychosocial Functioning Following Rejection" (4). I important information about how social rejection is a contributing factor to depression. I would read this article in the future because it presents credibly and verifiably data about depression.

Search 4:

            I searched for 'is depression manageable?' It produced 34,309 results. I narrowed my search by checking the boxes for peer-reviewed articles published between 2017 and 2021 under the subject of psychology, only focusing on the most relevant results. I got the database under 697 results using the above filters and search term. In this approach, the types of returned articles were related to the neurobiology behind depression. Based on this search, I read an abstract by Dean & Keshavan (2017), "The Neurobiology of Depression: An Integrated View" (101). I learned vital information about the neurobiology behind depression.  I would read this article in the future because it provides critical information concerning the neurobiological underpinnings contributing to depression.

Search 5:

            I searched for 'what are common symptoms of depression condition.' It produced 437,658 results. I narrowed my search by checking the boxes for peer-reviewed articles published between 2017 and 2021 under the subject of psychology, only focusing on the most relevant results. I got the database under 13,339 results using the above filters and search term. In this approach, the types of returned articles were related to the depression symptoms. Based on this search, I read an abstract by Weitz et al. (2018), "The Effects of Psychotherapy for Depression on Anxiety Symptoms: a Meta-Analysis (2140). I learned vital information about the relationship between anxiety and depression. I would read this article in the future because it provides fundamental data concerning the role of anxiety in depression.

Major Depressive Disorder Outline

1. Topic
   1. The topic of my literature review: the causes, symptoms, and diagnosis of major depressive disorder
2. The five search terms I am using in the KU Library online database
   1. Depression
   2. Main causes and treatment of depression disorder
   3. Consequences of depression
   4. Is depression manageable?
   5. What are common symptoms of depression condition
3. What I found through my literature review search
   1. Major depressive disorder (manic depressive disorder or severe depressive illness) is a prevalent yet significant mood illness (Weitz et al., 2018).
   2. Psychopathic despair happens when an individual suffers from severe depression in addition to some schizophrenia, including having disturbing erroneous set convictions (delusional beliefs) or experiencing or seeing horrifying things that many others are unable to perceive or see (hallucinations).
   3. Additional psychiatric conditions that were recently added to the DSM-5 clinical categorization are destructive mood deregulation syndrome (reported in children and young adults) and body dysmorphic disorder (PMDD).
   4. Depression, particularly in middle-aged and older people, has been shown to co-occur with other significant medical conditions such as diabetes, leukemia, cardiovascular disease, and vascular dementia.
   5. One might have to experiment with several antidepressant medications before discovering one that effectively alleviates one's problems while still having controllable withdrawal symptoms.
4. How my topic (*major depressive disorder) relates to learning objectives:
   1. The topic explores critical scientifically behavioral concepts of understanding the effective management and treatment of depression. The topic presents a thorough analysis of the illness's symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
5. The template for each of the five searches:
   1. Search 1
      1. I searched for ‘depression.’ It produced 2,726,974 results.
   2. Search 2
      1. I searched for ‘main causes and treatment of depression disorder.’
   3. Search 3
      1. I searched for 'consequences of depression.'
   4. Search 4
      1. I searched for 'is depression manageable?' It produced 34,309 results.
   5. Search 5
      1. I searched for 'what are common symptoms of depression condition.' It produced 437,658 results. I narrowed my search by checking the boxes for peer-reviewed articles published between 2017 and 2021 under the subject of psychology, only focusing on the most relevant results.
6. References