Major Depressive Disorder is a mood disorder characterized by at least two weeks of depressed mood, feelings of worthlessness, and diminished interest in activities. Signs include lethargy, feelings of worthlessness, and loss of interest in friends and activities. Cognitive symptoms include low self-esteem, pessimism, and exaggerated negative thoughts. Treatment involves cognitive therapy to challenge negative thought patterns and develop supportive relationships, regular exercise, a healthy diet, and medication if needed.

1. Major Depressive DisorderBy: Gloomylife

2. DefinitionA mood disorder in which a person experiences, in the absence of drugs or medical conditions, two or more weeks of significantly depressed moods, feelings of worthlessness, and diminished interest or pleasure in most activities

3. SignsLethargyFeelings of worthlessnessLoss of interest in family, friends, and activities

4. FeelingsSadHopelessDiscouragingRejectedUnlovedIsolated

5. In addition to sadness…There are a series of changes in eating, sleeping and motor activityA lack of pleasure in activities that usually caused pleasure in the pastSuicidal thoughts, inappropriate guilt, and other faulty beliefs may also be present

6. Cognitive symptomsLow self-esteemPessimismReduced motivationGeneralization of negative attitudesExaggeration of seriousness of problemsSlowed though processes

7. Depression Recovery: Self HelpCultivate supportive relationshipsTake care of yourselfGet regular exerciseEat a healthy, mood-boosting dietChallenge negative thinkingRaise your emotional intelligenceKnow when to get additional help

8. Cognitive TherapyCognitive therapy makes the assumption that thoughts precede moods and that false self-beliefs lead to negative emotions. Cognitive therapy aims to help the patient recognize and reassess his patterns of negative thinking and replace them with positive thoughts that more closely reflect reality.

9. Sometimes I feel like jumping off a building because life doesn’t seem worth living. Nothing is good is life and there is no point in living.

10. There is a sense of emptiness around me, like if no on exists besides me. There is no one love me or support me. I am isolated.

11. Sometimes I just sit by my door thinking about life and what to do about it. I feel like a disappointment and a failure.

12. Life seems like a road that leads to nowhere and has no end. I just keep walking but there is nothing to look forward to.

13. I used to love playing the guitar but now everything seems different. I don’t find any pleasure playing the guitar and I have lost my interest in music.

14. There is so much stress from school with finals, AP exams, and projects that sometimes I just want to give up. To forget all about school and life because I feel discouraged and defeated.

15. I feel like I’m trapped. Trapped in this dull life and trapped by life’s restrictions. I’m leading a life with no emotions except sadness with nothing new that ever happens.

16. I feel like I’m waiting for a train to take me away, but the train never comes. I might as well jump onto the tracks and let the train take me away… far away…

17. The darkness takes over me and I feel very lonely. I search in the darkness but fail at finding anyone. I reach out but there is no one to grab my hand and lead me out of the darkness.

18. Everyday is a cloudy day. The sky seems to feel my emotions and cry with me until I’m out of tears and the clouds are out of rain, bringing out the sorrow and sadness that never seem to end.

19. I find myself wondering what’s the point of life. There isno guarantee of being successful. Nobody gets out alive so why even try when we’re all going to die at the end anyways?

20. I look at myself in the mirror and wonder when I changed. I used to love life but now I just want it to end. I find no pleasure in anything anymore. I’m not smart enough, pretty enough, or good enough for anything…

21. The EndDISCLAIMER: This is a project for a high school AP Psychology course. This is a fictionalized account of having a psychological ailment. For questions about this blog project or its content please email the teach Chris Jocham: jocham@fultonschools.org