Describe major depressive disorder.

Question

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Answer 1

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The answer should contain the following information:

Major depressive disorder is a severe form of depression that interferes with concentration, decision making, and sociability. Major depressive disorder is one of the more common forms of mood disorders. Some 15 million people in the United States suffer from major depressive disorder, and at any one time, 6-10 percent of the U.S. population is clinically depressed. Almost one in five people in the United States experiences major depression at some point in life, and 15 percent of college students have received a diagnosis of depression. The cost of depression is more than $44 billion a year in lost productivity.

Women are twice as likely to experience major depression as men, with one-fourth of all females apt to encounter it at some point during their lives. Furthermore, although no one is sure why, the rate of depression is going up throughout the world. Results of in-depth interviews conducted in the United States, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, Lebanon, Canada, Italy, Germany, and France indicate that the incidence of depression has increased significantly over previous rates in every area.

When psychologists speak of major depressive disorder, they do not mean the sadness that comes from experiencing one of life's disappointments, something that we all have experienced. Some depression is normal after the breakup of a long-term relationship, the death of a loved one, or the loss of a job. It is normal even after less serious problems, such as doing badly on a test or having a romantic partner forget one's birthday.

People who suffer from major depressive disorder experience similar sorts of feelings, but the severity tends to be considerably greater. They may feel useless, worthless, and lonely, and they may think the future is hopeless and no one can help them. They may lose their appetite and have no energy. Moreover, they may experience such feelings for months or even years. They may cry uncontrollably, have sleep disturbances, and be at risk for suicide. The depth and duration of such behavior are the hallmarks of major depressive disorder.