Depression Research Mississippi

Major depressive disorder (MDD) (also known as recurrent depressive disorder, clinical depression, major depression, unipolar depression, or unipolar disorder) is a mental disorder described by an overall low mood with a low self-esteem, and by a loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities. In the United States, around 3.4% of people with major depression commit suicide, and up to 60% of people who commit suicide had depression or another mood disorder. The diagnosis of major depressive disorder is based on an evaluation of the patient’s self-reported experiences, behavior reported by relatives or friends, and a mental status examination. MDD most likely appears at the ages of 20 and 30 years, with a later peak between 30 and 40 years. Usually, patients are treated with antidepressant medication with, in many cases, psychotherapy or counseling. The causes of MDD are most likely linked to psychological, psycho-social, hereditary, evolutionary and biological factors.