Summer Holder
South University
Depressive disorders are a mood disorder that is widespread among all ages, genders, and ethnicities. Depressive disorders are a worldwide and serious debilitating health disorder ranking as one to the leading causes of disability. The age of onset occurs throughout any time of the life span and is its effect is a hindering as other chronic illnesses. Depressive disorders are twice as likely in females between the ages of 15 and 40 as in males. Depression is also very common over the age of 65 but is more difficult to diagnose and can go untreated due to the presentation of sign and symptoms. Comorbidity with other chronic illnesses makes the prognosis poorer and health care providers …show more content…
Potential for suicide can also increase with comorbid disorders of anxiety, panic attacks, psychosis, lack of self-esteem and social support, and other chronic medical conditions. Assessment of a client's risk for suicide and implementing appropriate safety precautions is priority (Kupfer et. al., 2012, p. 1045). There are many risk factors for depression and disorders can occur throughout all groups of people. The most substantial risk factors for depression include a family history of depression or a personal history of depression. Neurotransmitter deficiencies, such as serotonin and norepinephrine deficiency, can also be risk factors for depression. Other risk factors include stressful life events, medical illness, postpartum period, poor social support, substance use disorder, and being unmarried (Kupfer et. al., 2012, p. …show more content…
The incidence of depressive disorders does not discriminate against age, race, gender, or socioeconomic backgrounds. The more we learn about mood disorders the easier management and treatment will become. When assessing an individual’s health it is vital to be holistic and include the psychiatric aspect of care. The management of depressive disorders is more complex than a medication regiment but also involves teaching and ongoing therapy to be successful (Kupfer et. al., 2012, p. 1045).
References
American Psychiatric Association (2015). Depressive Disorders: DSM-5 Selections. Retrieved from https://books.google.com/books?id=g4cJDAAAQBAJ&1pg=PP1&ots=kBNZs&dq
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Kupfer, D. J., Frank, E., & Phillips, M. L. (2012). Major depressive disorder: New clinical, neurobiological, and treatment perspectives. The Lancet, 379(9820), 1045-55. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/935867794?accountid=87314
Townsend, M. C. (08/2013). Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: Concepts of Care in Evidence-Based Practice, 6th Edition. [VitalSource Bookshelf Online]. Retrieved from