Major Depressive Disorder: A General Overview

SILC Business School, Shanghai University, 200000. China, Shanghai

^* Corresponding author: Tianqi.Wang-1@student.uts.edu.au

Abstract

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) has become a serious mental health problem with a lifetime prevalence of 15% to 20%. MDD is associated with significant morbidity, mortality, disability, and negative influence on patient's daily life This article is an overview of MDD, including its etiology, impacts, treatments, and recommendations for future perspective. The paper's results and discussion section will list the possible causes of MDD from biological, physiological, and social perspectives, such as physical active level and sleeping quality. Along with its impacts on individuals in social relationship, health and financial status. The article will also list several common treatment methods, for example, antidepressants, Electroconvulsive Therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Then provide some details regarding the perspective for the future. Overall, the readers could have a general overview to MDD. This paper is a review based on researches and studies collected using Google Scholar and PubMed Central in the field of MDD. Fundamental information about MDD is obtained from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: 5th edition. For the etiology section, the primary source is Dean's study, which provides comprehensive information about the etiology of MDD. The overview of treatment is based on Li's study , which provides a clinical guideline on MDD treatment process. The article will also reference several other academic sources such as Cui's study and Mullen's study in order to provides a comprehensive overview of MDD.