Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

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TYPES OF DEPRESSION Major depression Major depression (major depressive disorder/clinical depression) is when a person has a constant low mood and/or loss of interest in activities they usually enjoy. In order for a disorder to be classified as depression it has to have occurred nearly every day and at least for two weeks, as well as prevent the person from functioning in everyday life e.g. work/school, relationships. LEVELS OF DEPRESSION Melancholia The term used to describe a severe form of depression where many of the physical symptoms of depression are present Psychotic depression A level of depressions that involves losing touch with reality and experience psychosis including hallucinations or delusions such as paranoia, believing that…show more content…
It is thought to be related to the variation in light exposure in different seasons, although there isn’t enough evidence on the disorder to confirm that is the case. It's usually shown by shifts in mood (either periods of depression or mania) that begin and end in a particular season. Normally, depression which starts in winter and subsides when the season ends. It's usually diagnosed after the person has had the same symptoms during winter for a couple of years. It’s usually found in the Northern Hemisphere where winter has longer periods of time, which is why it’s very rare in Australia. CAUSES Depression can have many factors, and is usually not linked to just one. According to the Official Beyond Blue Website the following factors have been identified: - Life Events: e.g. unemployment, death of a family member, relationship stress - Personal factors: Family history, Personality, Serious Medical Illness, Drug/Alcohol Use - Changes in the brain: chemical/physical Biological perspective on Major Depression The Psychology VCE Units 3&4 5th Edition Textbook written by J. Grivas and N. Letch describes the following aspects of the biological perspective that have been identified as major factors that my play in Major
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