Case Study: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

**You have a new 28-year-old graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in environmental science as a patient. She reports that over the past three months, she has been experiencing persistent feelings of sadness and a lack of interest in her studies and hobbies, which previously brought her joy. She reports difficulty concentrating, low energy levels, and feelings of worthlessness. Jane has also been withdrawing from her friends and family, missing social gatherings, and spending most of her time alone in her apartment.

Her sleep patterns have become irregular—she struggles to fall asleep at night but frequently oversleeps in the morning, causing her to miss important classes and deadlines. Her appetite has diminished, leading to noticeable weight loss. She acknowledges fleeting thoughts of hopelessness but denies any immediate plans to harm herself. Despite this, she feels overwhelmed and believes she is “failing at life.”

She recently visited her primary care physician, who referred her to a mental health professional. After an initial assessment, Jane was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). She has been prescribed antidepressant medication and encouraged to attend weekly therapy sessions. However, she is hesitant about taking medication due to concerns about side effects and feels skeptical about whether therapy will truly help her.**

Symptoms and Diagnosis:

• What symptoms of depression does Jane exhibit, and how do they align with the diagnostic criteria for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)?

• How might her symptoms affect her daily functioning and relationships?

Stigma and Barriers:

• Why do you think Jane is hesitant to take antidepressant medication or commit to therapy?

• What role might stigma or misinformation play in her reluctance?

Treatment and Support:

• What is the first line treatment with someone living with depression. What are some potential benefits of combining medication and therapy in treating depression. What education would the nurse practitioner need to provide to the patient.

• What non-medical strategies could be useful to help manage her depression (e.g., lifestyle changes, support systems)?

Submission Instructions:
Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources.

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 Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Step 1: Read the Case Carefully

• Identify Jane’s symptoms.

• Connect her symptoms to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

• Pay attention to how her daily life, studies, and relationships are affected.

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Step 2: Structure Your Paper (Suggested Outline)

Paragraph 1 – Introduction

• Introduce Jane’s case.

• Briefly explain why depression is a significant mental health concern.

• End with a thesis statement: Jane’s symptoms align with MDD, and exploring her barriers, treatment options, and support strategies highlights a comprehensive approach to care.

Paragraph 2 – Symptoms and Diagnosis

• List Jane’s symptoms (persistent sadness, lack of interest, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, irregular sleep, appetite changes, social withdrawal, feelings of worthlessness, and hopelessness).

• Connect these directly to DSM-5 criteria for MDD.

• Discuss how these symptoms interfere with daily functioning and relationships (missed classes, strained social ties, decreased productivity).

Paragraph 3 – Stigma and Barriers

• Explain why Jane may hesitate about medication (fear of side effects, uncertainty about effectiveness).

• Discuss therapy skepticism (belief that it may not help, lack of trust in professionals).

• Analyze the role of stigma (societal views of weakness, fear of judgment, misinformation about treatment).

Paragraph 4 – Treatment and Support

• Identify first-line treatments for depression (SSRIs and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy).

• Discuss benefits of combining medication + therapy (symptom relief + coping skills).

• Explain what nurse practitioners should educate Jane about: treatment expectations, side effects, importance of adherence, and long-term recovery.

Paragraph 5 – Non-Medical Strategies

• Suggest lifestyle interventions: regular exercise, sleep hygiene, healthy diet, mindfulness, and journaling.

• Highlight the importance of social support (friends, family, peer groups, university counseling).

• Mention stress management techniques to balance academics and personal life.

Paragraph 6 – Conclusion

• Summarize Jane’s case and the importance of early intervention.

• Reinforce that combining medical and non-medical strategies provides the best chance for recovery.

• End with a hopeful note about resilience and available resources.

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Step 3: Academic Support and APA Citation

Use at least 2 scholarly sources. Suggested references:

• American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). APA.

• Cuijpers, P., et al. (2021). “Combining pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy in the treatment of depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” World Psychiatry, 20(2), 275–285.

Example in-text citation:
Jane demonstrates “persistent depressive symptoms lasting more than two weeks, meeting the criteria for MDD” (American Psychiatric Association, 2022).

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