PSYC 101 APUS Major Depressive Disorder Discussion

Write Peer Response:

Hello class,

    The specific disorder I believe to be the most challenging to have is major depressive disorder. The reason why I think this is because it is described as, having a depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day with little interest/ pleasure in doing things. This includes not doing the usual activities you used to enjoy and making it hard to keep relationships with family, friends or romantically. This sounds like a nightmare to have, feeling worthless and like a burden everyday so much so you can’t find any enjoyment in anything or anyone. It’s more than being just sad, sad is a temporary feeling, depression is constant regardless of what happens. A side effect of this is wanting to commit suicide, the worst part is most people don’t want to die they just want to not feel depressed anymore. It takes over every aspect of their lives, they don’t want to do anything and just want to be left alone, that isolation further adds to their depression. I go to my mom all the time for everything we are best friends and I can’t imagine a world where I couldn’t go to her, not because she doesn’t want me to but because I can’t with how depressed I am.  Some treatment options include depression specific psychotherapy and being prescribed antidepressant medication. These options are proven to help alleviate symptoms but it goes deeper than that, people must build a strong foundation and understanding of what their depression is and they have to actively fight against it. Therapy and meds don’t make it just vanish, it’s the actions everyday and the constant effort to get better is what will give us long lasting true healing from depression. 

Major depressive disorder: New clinical, neurobiological … – the lancet. Major Depressive Disorder. (n.d.). https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(11)60602-8/fulltext