Purpose Of This Assignment To Become Familiar With Professi

Purpose Of This Assignment1 To Become Familiar With Professional Sch

Purpose of this assignment: 1. To become familiar with professional scholarly journals in psychology. 2. To become proficient in writing in APA style. 3. To gain more detailed knowledge about a specific psychological disorder. 4. To enhance critical thinking and writing skills. Writing the paper: Typed, double-spaced, 12 font, 1 margins, and number each page. Paper should be at least 3 pages (excluding title and reference pages).

The paper must contain adequate paragraphs with complete sentences and correct grammar. Clearly introduce your psychological disorder in the opening paragraph and the reason that you chose this topic. Then subsequent paragraphs include information related to this topic, e.g., symptoms of this disorder, prevalence of the disorder in the general population, age at diagnosis, possible treatments and side-effects from the treatment(s), etc. Follow APA style when writing and citing references. No abstract page is needed for this assignment. Cite any reference sources! Otherwise copying the information would be considered plagiarism. You must cite your sources both in the actual paper right after you have used the information as well as on the Reference page. Separate Title page (APA style). Separate Reference page (APA style) - As you will have to research the psychological disorder that you chose, you will need to include a reference page containing at least five references from scholarly peer-reviewed journals. The paper must be uploaded into Canvas under Assignments and will be processed through Turnitin. Grading criteria include following guidelines, proper APA style formatting, content quality, mechanics, and references.

Paper For Above instruction

The psychological disorder I have chosen to discuss is Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), a prevalent mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, and a range of emotional and physical problems that significantly impair daily functioning. I selected this disorder because of its widespread impact on individuals and society, as well as my personal interest in understanding its complexities and treatment options.

Major Depressive Disorder affects approximately 7% of the adult population in the United States annually (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). It can occur at any age, but typically manifests in late adolescence to early adulthood, with women being diagnosed nearly twice as often as men (Kuehner, 2017). The symptoms of MDD include pervasive low mood, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, disrupted sleep and appetite, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide (World Health Organization, 2020). The diagnostic criteria require symptoms to be present for at least two weeks and to cause significant distress or impairment.

The etiology of Major Depressive Disorder is multifaceted, involving a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. Neurochemical imbalances, particularly involving neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, are implicated in the disorder (Belmaker & Agam, 2008). Environmental stressors such as trauma, loss, or chronic illness can trigger or exacerbate depressive episodes, especially in individuals with genetic predispositions. Psychological factors, including negative thought patterns and low self-esteem, also play a crucial role.

Treatment for MDD often involves pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. Antidepressant medications, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are commonly prescribed and generally effective; however, they may cause side effects such as nausea, weight gain, sexual dysfunction, and emotional numbing (Fava, 2006). Psychotherapeutic approaches like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) focus on modifying maladaptive thought patterns and behaviors and have demonstrated effectiveness comparable to medication in many cases (Hollon et al., 2005).

In addition to medication and psychotherapy, newer treatment options include electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for severe cases unresponsive to other interventions, and emerging modalities like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Despite the effectiveness of these treatments, relapse is common, and ongoing management may require a combination of medication, therapy, lifestyle modifications, and social support.

Overall, understanding Major Depressive Disorder’s symptoms, prevalence, causes, and treatments highlights the importance of early diagnosis and comprehensive care. Increased awareness and research continue to improve outcomes, reducing the profound impact this disorder has on individuals and society at large.

References

• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).
• Belmaker, R. H., & Agam, G. (2008). Major depressive disorder. New England Journal of Medicine, 358(1), 55-68.
• Fava, M. (2006). Role of pharmacotherapy in the treatment of depression. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 67(suppl 6), 15-20.
• Hollon, S. D., Thase, M. E., & Markowitz, J. C. (2005). Treatment and prevention of depression. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 6(3), 1-69.
• Kuehner, C. (2017). Why is depression more common among women than among men? The Lancet Psychiatry, 4(2), 146-158.
• World Health Organization. (2020). Depression. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression