Page 484 - Understanding Psychology

major depressive disorder: severe form of lowered mood in which a person experiences feelings of worthlessness and diminished pleasure or interest in many activities
From Freud onward, it has been tempting to blame the family situation in childhood for problems that develop during adulthood. Paul Meehl (1962, 1989) suggests that bad experiences during childhood are not enough, in and of themselves, to lead to schizophrenia; being part of a path- ogenic, or unhealthful, family may contribute to problems in the adult years.
Studies show that families of individuals who later develop schizo- phrenia are often on the verge of falling apart. Another frequent finding is that family members organize themselves around—or in spite of—the very unusual, demanding, or maladaptive behavior of one member of the family. Communication, too, often seems disorganized in the early fam- ily life of people who later develop schizophrenia.
In Summary Which of these theories is correct? At this point, psycholo- gists do not know. It may be that each is partially true. Perhaps people who inherit a tendency toward psychological disorders react more strongly to stressful situations than others would. The diathesis-stress hypothesis states that an individual may have inherited a predisposition toward schizophre- nia. For schizophrenia to develop, however, that person must be exposed to an environment with certain stressors, such as bad family experiences, before the schizophrenia will develop. Explaining the causes of schizo- phrenia is perhaps the most complex research problem psychologists face.
MOOD DISORDERS
We all experience mood swings. Sometimes we are happy or elated, while at other times we feel dejected, miserable, or depressed. Yet even when we are discouraged, most of us still feel we can control our emo- tions and that these feelings will pass.
Occasional depression is a common experience. In some people, how- ever, these moods are more intense and tend to last for longer periods. These individuals often get the sense that their depression will go on for- ever and that there is nothing they can do to change it. As a result, their emotions hamper their ability to function effectively. In extreme cases, a mood may cause individuals to lose touch with reality or seriously threaten their health or lives.
Major Depressive Disorder
Individuals suffering from major depressive disorder spend at least two weeks feeling depressed, sad, anxious, fatigued, and agitated, experienc- ing a reduced ability to function and interact with others. The depression ranges from mild feelings of uneasiness, sadness, and apathy to intense suici- dal despair. To be diagnosed as depression, these feelings cannot be attributed to bereavement (the loss of a loved one). This disorder is marked by at least four of the following symptoms: problems with eating, sleeping, thinking, concentrating, or decision making; lacking energy; thinking about suicide; and feeling worthless or guilty (American Psychiatric Association, 1994).
470 Chapter 16 / Psychological Disorders
Family and Interactions