Discussion: Psychological Disorders If You Break Your Arm ✓ Solved

Discussion: Psychological Disorders If you break your arm or

This week, I will explore the psychological disorder of depression, examining its biological features, diagnostic criteria, and proposing a new set of criteria that incorporates biological information. Depression is a mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest, and various physical symptoms that affect daily functioning. Biological research has uncovered several key features associated with depression, including changes in brain activity levels, differences in brain structure, and abnormalities in neurotransmitter levels, particularly serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine (National Institute of Mental Health, 2021).

Neuroimaging studies have shown that individuals with depression often exhibit decreased activity in the prefrontal cortex and increased activity in the amygdala (Mayberg, 2010). Structural differences have also been observed, such as reductions in the volume of the hippocampus, which is implicated in memory and emotional regulation (Duman et al., 2016). These findings suggest that biological factors play a significant role in the manifestation of depression, beyond the symptomatic expressions outlined by the DSM-5.

The DSM-5 classifies depression under the category of mood disorders, with specific criteria that focus on symptom duration and severity. According to the DSM-5, a major depressive episode is defined by the presence of five or more symptoms, including depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, significant weight loss or gain, insomnia or hypersomnia, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, and diminished ability to think or concentrate, lasting at least two weeks (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

One crucial relationship between the textbook and DSM descriptions of depression lies in the acknowledgment of biological underpinnings. However, while the DSM emphasizes symptomatology, it often overlooks the integration of biological evidence in its diagnostic approach. This gap may partly result from the complexities involved in standardizing biological markers for psychiatric diagnoses, as well as the ongoing evolution of our understanding of these markers over time.

Considering the advancements in biological research, I propose a new set of diagnostic criteria for depression (DSM-5R) that incorporates critical biological information. These criteria would require the inclusion of biomarkers such as serotonin transporter levels, structural imaging results indicating hippocampal volume, and patterns of neural activity identified through techniques like functional MRI. By establishing these biological parameters alongside traditional symptomatology, diagnoses could be made more precise, improving treatment options and outcomes for patients.

One reason that these biological factors are not already included in the DSM may relate to the historical emphasis on symptom-based diagnoses in psychiatry, the stigma surrounding mental illness, and the complexity of establishing consistent biological markers applicable across diverse populations (Insel, 2014). While significant strides have been made in understanding the biological aspects of depression, integrating these findings into clinical practice and diagnostic frameworks remains an ongoing challenge.

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This week, I will explore the psychological disorder of depression, examining its biological features, diagnostic criteria, and proposing a new set of criteria that incorporates biological information. Depression is a mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest, and various physical symptoms that affect daily functioning. Biological research has uncovered several key features associated with depression, including changes in brain activity levels, differences in brain structure, and abnormalities in neurotransmitter levels, particularly serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine (National Institute of Mental Health, 2021).

Neuroimaging studies have shown that individuals with depression often exhibit decreased activity in the prefrontal cortex and increased activity in the amygdala (Mayberg, 2010). Structural differences have also been observed, such as reductions in the volume of the hippocampus, which is implicated in memory and emotional regulation (Duman et al., 2016). These findings suggest that biological factors play a significant role in the manifestation of depression, beyond the symptomatic expressions outlined by the DSM-5.

The DSM-5 classifies depression under the category of mood disorders, with specific criteria that focus on symptom duration and severity. According to the DSM-5, a major depressive episode is defined by the presence of five or more symptoms, including depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, significant weight loss or gain, insomnia or hypersomnia, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, and diminished ability to think or concentrate, lasting at least two weeks (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

One crucial relationship between the textbook and DSM descriptions of depression lies in the acknowledgment of biological underpinnings. However, while the DSM emphasizes symptomatology, it often overlooks the integration of biological evidence in its diagnostic approach. This gap may partly result from the complexities involved in standardizing biological markers for psychiatric diagnoses, as well as the ongoing evolution of our understanding of these markers over time.

Considering the advancements in biological research, I propose a new set of diagnostic criteria for depression (DSM-5R) that incorporates critical biological information. These criteria would require the inclusion of biomarkers such as serotonin transporter levels, structural imaging results indicating hippocampal volume, and patterns of neural activity identified through techniques like functional MRI. By establishing these biological parameters alongside traditional symptomatology, diagnoses could be made more precise, improving treatment options and outcomes for patients.

One reason that these biological factors are not already included in the DSM may relate to the historical emphasis on symptom-based diagnoses in psychiatry, the stigma surrounding mental illness, and the complexity of establishing consistent biological markers applicable across diverse populations (Insel, 2014). While significant strides have been made in understanding the biological aspects of depression, integrating these findings into clinical practice and diagnostic frameworks remains an ongoing challenge.

References

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: Author.
  • Duman, R. S., Aghajanian, G. K., Sanacora, G., & Krystal, J. H. (2016). Synaptic plasticity and depression: a role for the hippocampus. Biological Psychiatry, 80(7), 442-452.
  • Insel, T. R. (2014). The NIMH Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) project: precision medicine for psychiatry. American Journal of Psychiatry, 171(4), 395-397.
  • Mayberg, H. S. (2010). Brain imaging and depression. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 19(1), 15-20.
  • National Institute of Mental Health. (2021). Major depression. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression.shtml

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