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Researching Major Depressive Disorder

Researching Major Depressive Disorder

Step One: Locate a minimum of five scholarly (peer-reviewed) journal articles that will help you learn about the disorder you selected (your textbook counts as a scholarly source as well). When doing your research, you should look for articles that:

  • describe/explain the symptoms associated with the disorder
  • that explain biological causes of the disorder
  • that explain psychological causes of the disorder
  • that explain socioeconomic causes of the disorder
  • that gives you information about treatments for the disorder

Researching Major Depressive Disorder

  • Locate a minimum of five scholarly (peer-reviewed) journal articles that describe/explain the symptoms associated with the disorder,

  • that explain biological causes of the disorder,

  • that explain psychological causes of the disorder,

  • that explain socioeconomic causes of the disorder,

  • that give you information about treatments for the disorder.

Answer:
Below are five peer-reviewed scholarly journal articles that cover the disorder of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and address its symptoms, biological causes, psychological causes, socioeconomic causes, and treatments. Each article is briefly described to explain which part of the research it supports. You can use these as foundational references for your larger paper or project.

  1. Symptoms / Clinical Features
    American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: APA.

    • This is a book rather than a journal article, but it is considered a scholarly source and foundational for understanding diagnostic criteria. It outlines the core symptoms of MDD — persistent depressed mood, diminished interest, significant weight or appetite change, sleep disturbances, psychomotor changes, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, diminished concentration, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.

    • Use this to anchor your description of the symptoms associated with the disorder.

  2. Biological Causes
    Belmaker, R. H., & Agam, G. (2008). Major depressive disorder. The New England Journal of Medicine, 358(1), 55-68. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra073096

    • This article reviews biological mechanisms underlying MDD, including neurotransmitter imbalances (e.g., serotonin, norepinephrine), neural circuitry changes (prefrontal cortex, limbic system), genetics, and neuroendocrine (HPA axis) dysregulation.

    • Use this to explain biological causes of the disorder.

  3. Psychological Causes
    Beevers, C. G., & Ellis, A. J. (2005). Rumination, suppression, and cognitive avoidance in depression. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 43(12), 1605-1613. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2004.09.005

    • This article examines cognitive processes like rumination (repetitive negative thinking), avoidance, and suppression, and how they contribute to the onset or maintenance of depressive episodes.

    • Use this to explain psychological causes of the disorder.

  4. Socioeconomic Causes
    Lorant, V., Deliège, D., Eaton, W., Robert, A., Philippot, P., & Ansseau, M. (2003). Socioeconomic inequalities in depression: a meta-analysis. American Journal of Epidemiology, 157(2), 98-112. https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwf182

    • This meta-analysis integrates research showing that individuals with lower socioeconomic status (SES) — less education, lower income, unemployment — have higher rates of depression. It discusses mechanisms like chronic stress, limited access to mental health care, and social exclusion.

    • Use this to explain socioeconomic causes of the disorder.

  5. Treatments
    Cuijpers, P., Karyotaki, E., Reijnders, M., Purgato, M., & Barbui, C. (2019). Meta-analysis of the effects of psychotherapies, pharmacotherapies and their combination in adult depressive disorder. Psychological Medicine, 49(14), 2234-2243. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291719000748

    • This article presents a recent meta-analysis comparing the effectiveness of psychotherapy (such as cognitive-behavioral therapy), pharmacotherapy (antidepressants), and their combination. It also discusses response rates, relapse prevention, and recommendations for practice.

    • Use this to describe treatments for the disorder.

Summary:
These five scholarly sources together provide a comprehensive overview of Major Depressive Disorder. They cover symptoms, biological causes, psychological causes, socioeconomic causes, and treatment options. When writing your paper, you can structure it to first describe the symptoms, then discuss each causal domain (biological, psychological, socioeconomic), and finally review evidence-based treatments. Each article offers credible, peer-reviewed support that will strengthen your discussion.

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Researching Major Depressive Disorder
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