NURS 6501 PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS MODULE 6 Primary Diagnosis: Depression Describe the pathophysiology of the primary diagnosis in your own words. What are the patient’s risk factors for this diagnosis?

by HenryPosted onApril 9, 2025NURS 6501 PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS MODULE 6 Primary Diagnosis: Depression Describe the pathophysiology of the primary diagnosis in your own words. What are the patient’s risk factors for this diagnosis?Edit

NURS 6501 PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS MODULE 6

Primary Diagnosis: Depression

Describe the pathophysiology of the primary diagnosis in your own words. What are the patient’s risk factors for this diagnosis?

Pathophysiology of Primary Diagnosis
· Depression has been primarily being associated with low brain 5‐hydroxytryptophan (5-HT) levels and altered 5‐HT receptors, such as upregulated 5‐HT2 and downregulated 5‐HT1A receptors causing mood alterations (Tian et al., 2022). · Alterations in dopamine, glutamate, noradrenaline and GABA neurotransmitters and their receptors have been associated with synaptic plasticity and altered neurogenesis resulting in symptoms of major depression. · In addition, stress has been associated with high cortisol levels that inhibit 5‐HT1 neurotransmission increasing risk of depression. · High cortisol levels have also been associated with inflammatory cytokines such as interleukins that alter synaptic connections resulting in depression-like-behavior.
Causes	Risk Factors (genetic/ethnic/physical)
· Neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia. · Genetic alterations in serotonin 5-HT receptors (Remes et al., 2021). · Poor nutrition resulting in anemia · Thyroid diseases · Cushing disease · Pregnancy and post-partum state.	· Family history of depression especially in a first degree relative. · Medical conditions such as cancer and diabetes (Remes et al., 2021). · Female gender. · Psychological stress · Grief and loss · Alcohol and substance use.

What are the patient’s signs and symptoms for this diagnosis? How does the diagnosis impact other body systems and what are the possible complications?

Signs and Symptoms – Common presentation

How does the diagnosis impact each body system? Complications?

· Depressed mood

· Insomnia or hypersomnia

· Anhedonia

· Loss of concentration

· Increased or reduced appetite (Christensen et al., 2020)

· Weight gain or loss

· Fatigue and lack of energy.

· Feeling guilt