Pathophysiology
Our limbic system, which accounts for and controls our emotions consequently affects …show more content…
When the sad feeling is attributed to a cause, it is known as reactive or secondary depression. (Timby & Smith, 2014 pg. 1175) This type of depression can be self limiting, affecting your day to day emotions and can consume your world. Often, people go through major or unipolar depression; “a sad mood with no obvious relationship to situational events” (Timby & Smith, 2014 pg. 1176). According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 2013b, Americans will report feeling depressed, but the actual incident of major depression is approximately 14.9 million. (Timby & Smith, 2014). The most concrete piece of evidence is that depression is related to genetic makeup, an imbalance in neurotransmitters, and a neuroendocrine balance in the body. (pg. 1176) Feelings of neglect or rejection, a feeling of helplessness, long term exposure to discrimination, or twisted thoughts about one’s self are also linked to increased risk of depression (Pg.1176). Blood relatives tend to have a prevalence of mood disorders suggesting a depressive link in genetics. Identical twins for example, even …show more content…
These thoughts of sadness are best represented by the acronym SAD IMAGES. (Timby & Smith, 2014) The “S” can be remembered as sad mood, A is for appetite changes, D is the symptom of disturbed sleep indicating an imbalance in norepinephrine. “I” is the inability to concentrate; such as concentrating on everyday tasks. M is a marked decrease in pleasure; A is apathy; including a decreased libido, G is feelings of guilt, E is energy changes due to neurotransmitter dysregulation, and S is for suicidal thoughts resulting from sadness and guilt. There are many conditions that mimic depression including hypothyroidism, brain tumor, alcohol/sedative abuse, stimulant withdrawal, chronic hypoxia, and different side effects from drugs including corticosteroids and antihypertensives. A tentative diagnosis can be made with diagnostic tests including a dexamethasone suppression test (DST), also referred to as cortisol suppression test. (Timby & Smith, 2014) This test indicates major depression if cortisol levels in the blood remain elevated despite administration of dexamethasone, a corticosteroid. (Pg. 1177) CT scans and MRIs are also performed to eliminate any other