RNSG 2213 (M.H.) - Exam 2, Modlule 5: Depression & Suicide:
Major Depressive Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder, Dysthymia,
Atypical Depression, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, Postpartum
Depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Substance-Induced Depression,
Psychosocial Risk Factors, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Learned
Helplessness, Anhedonia, Psychomotor Retardation, Hypersomnia,
Vegetative Signs, Suicide Assessment, SAD PERSONS Scale,
Psychopharmacology, SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, MAOIs, Antidepressant Side
Effects, ECT, Vagus Nerve Stimulation, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation,
Deep Brain Stimulation, Light Therapy, St. John’s Wort, Exercise Therapy,
Cultural Considerations, Nursing Interventions, Patient-Centered Care Exam
Questions Verified and Provided with Complete A+ Graded Rationales
Latest Updated 2026
Depressive Disorders Classified
We will focus on:
-Major depressive disorder - MDD
-Dysthymic disorder – persistent depressive disorder
Other related disorders: **just know basic info
-Premenstrual dysphoric disorder/postpartum depression
-Substance abuse depressive disorder
-Depressive disorder associated with another medical condition
-Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
,-Others
Major Depressive Disorder
So depressed that one cannot function; depression causes clinically significant impairment
Cluster of symptoms - more than 5 need to be present
Symptoms include: depressed mood, anhedonia, fatigue, sleep disturbances, changes in appetite,
feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, persistent thoughts of death or suicide, inability to
concentrate or make decisions, change in physical activity, others
Anhedonia
the inability to experience joy or pleasure. You may feel numb or less interested in things that you once
enjoyed.
Dysthymic Disorder - Persistent depressive disorder
Feelings of depression persist consistently for at least 2 years.
Social and occupational distress but usually not severe enough to require hospitalization.
Chronic condition- almost constant presence; may also have episode(s) of major depression
Onset usually in childhood/teenage years.
Able to function but life is an ongoing and unremitting burden
,Epidemiology of Depression
¢Leading cause of disability worldwide -most common psychiatric disorder
¢Incidence is increasing in all age groups worldwide
¢When first episode occurs in youth, likelihood of recurrence is high
¢70% more common in females/ will seek treatment more than men. Men self medicate more
¢Common in older adults
¢Higher risk for not being treated – older and minorities
Etiology of Depression
Biological factors
-Genetic
-Biochemical
-Stressful life events
-Diathesis-stress model
, Psychological factors and includes
-Cognitive theory
-Learned helplessness
Genetic factors of depression
-Genetic factors play a role = if dx <age 20, more likely genetic based
-When runs in family, will see earlier age of onset, more comorbidity, and more recurrence of illness
Biochemical factors of depression
¢Specific neurotransmitters in the brain are believed to be related to altered mood states
¢Hypothesized that many symptoms of clinical depression are caused by a dysregulation of certain
neurotransmitters - serotonin and norepinephrine.
¢ Dopamine, acetylcholine, GABA and glutamate also involved
¢Antidepressant meds restore normal neurochemical functioning in key limbic structures in the brain
monoamine theory of depression
suggests that a chemical imbalance in the brain causes depression:
Monoamine deficiency
Major Depressive Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder, Dysthymia,
Atypical Depression, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, Postpartum
Depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Substance-Induced Depression,
Psychosocial Risk Factors, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Learned
Helplessness, Anhedonia, Psychomotor Retardation, Hypersomnia,
Vegetative Signs, Suicide Assessment, SAD PERSONS Scale,
Psychopharmacology, SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, MAOIs, Antidepressant Side
Effects, ECT, Vagus Nerve Stimulation, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation,
Deep Brain Stimulation, Light Therapy, St. John’s Wort, Exercise Therapy,
Cultural Considerations, Nursing Interventions, Patient-Centered Care Exam
Questions Verified and Provided with Complete A+ Graded Rationales
Latest Updated 2026
Depressive Disorders Classified
We will focus on:
-Major depressive disorder - MDD
-Dysthymic disorder – persistent depressive disorder
Other related disorders: **just know basic info
-Premenstrual dysphoric disorder/postpartum depression
-Substance abuse depressive disorder
-Depressive disorder associated with another medical condition
-Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
,-Others
Major Depressive Disorder
So depressed that one cannot function; depression causes clinically significant impairment
Cluster of symptoms - more than 5 need to be present
Symptoms include: depressed mood, anhedonia, fatigue, sleep disturbances, changes in appetite,
feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness, persistent thoughts of death or suicide, inability to
concentrate or make decisions, change in physical activity, others
Anhedonia
the inability to experience joy or pleasure. You may feel numb or less interested in things that you once
enjoyed.
Dysthymic Disorder - Persistent depressive disorder
Feelings of depression persist consistently for at least 2 years.
Social and occupational distress but usually not severe enough to require hospitalization.
Chronic condition- almost constant presence; may also have episode(s) of major depression
Onset usually in childhood/teenage years.
Able to function but life is an ongoing and unremitting burden
,Epidemiology of Depression
¢Leading cause of disability worldwide -most common psychiatric disorder
¢Incidence is increasing in all age groups worldwide
¢When first episode occurs in youth, likelihood of recurrence is high
¢70% more common in females/ will seek treatment more than men. Men self medicate more
¢Common in older adults
¢Higher risk for not being treated – older and minorities
Etiology of Depression
Biological factors
-Genetic
-Biochemical
-Stressful life events
-Diathesis-stress model
, Psychological factors and includes
-Cognitive theory
-Learned helplessness
Genetic factors of depression
-Genetic factors play a role = if dx <age 20, more likely genetic based
-When runs in family, will see earlier age of onset, more comorbidity, and more recurrence of illness
Biochemical factors of depression
¢Specific neurotransmitters in the brain are believed to be related to altered mood states
¢Hypothesized that many symptoms of clinical depression are caused by a dysregulation of certain
neurotransmitters - serotonin and norepinephrine.
¢ Dopamine, acetylcholine, GABA and glutamate also involved
¢Antidepressant meds restore normal neurochemical functioning in key limbic structures in the brain
monoamine theory of depression
suggests that a chemical imbalance in the brain causes depression:
Monoamine deficiency
