As an instructor for psychiatric nurse practitioner students, I recommend this book as a good clinical resource for students to review medication indications, dosing, contraindications, common side effects, black box warnings, tapering, and use of these medications in special populations. This book contains a very easy to follow format to review different classes of medications as well as OTC, Dietary, and Herbal supplements used in psychiatry. This book also contains a section on important DSM 5 changes as well as ETC and other brain stimulation therapies which were nicely summarized. The book is lightweight and reasonably priced for the amount of information contain
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Introduction
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), commonly known as depression, is a mental health condition that affects how you feel, think, and handle daily activities. It is not just sadness or a temporary “low mood.” Depression can interfere with your ability to work, sleep, eat, and enjoy life.
Incidence
Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions worldwide, affecting around 5% of the adult population each year. It can occur in anyone but is more frequent in women and those with a family history of depression.
Symptoms
Symptoms of MDD may include:
- Persistent sadness or low mood most of the day.
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you once enjoyed.
- Changes in appetite or weight (eating too much or too little).
- Trouble sleeping (insomnia) or sleeping too much (hypersomnia).
- Fatigue or lack of energy.
- Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or hopelessness.
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
- Physical symptoms such as headaches or stomachaches.
- Thoughts of death or suicide.
These symptoms usually last two weeks or more and significantly affect your daily life.
Treatment
MDD is treatable with a combination of the following approaches:
- Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps you identify and change negative thought patterns.
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): Focuses on improving personal relationships and coping skills.
- Medications
- Antidepressants: Such as SSRIs (e.g., fluoxetine, sertraline), SNRIs (e.g., venlafaxine), or others like bupropion or mirtazapine.
- Medications can take 4–6 weeks to show full effects.
- Lifestyle Changes
- Regular exercise.
- Balanced diet.
- Good sleep hygiene.
- Stress management techniques.
- Other Options (if needed)
- Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT): For severe or treatment-resistant depression.
- TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation): A non-invasive brain stimulation therapy.
- Ketamine or Esketamine (Spravato): For rapid relief in severe cases.