Major Depression

Tara is a young female who has been enduring continuous episodes of major depression since a young age.

Predisposing
Tara encountered the difficulty of several life events as a child, from a Biopsychosocial perspective a combination of genetic, physical, psychological and environmental factors are involved in the likelihood for depression to develop. Although there is very little information about the genetic and biological factors that could have influenced Tara’s vulnerability in developing Major depression. A follow-up interview exploring her family’s mental health background is ideal in order to establish whether genetics or family history influenced her susceptibility. Similarly, in the follow-up interview whether there were any birthing complications, physical developments and more details on her temperament as child that could have affected her position. Tara’s gender as a female is also a plausible factor as females at a younger age are more prone to exhibiting symptoms of depression for longer periods (Jack & Ali, 2010). From an psychological perspective Tara shared how as a child she would spend a lot of time alone in her room in what she described as her own fantasy land. Tara’s personality structure identifies itself with neurotic traits that present themselves in various patterns of behaviour whilst also influencing her patterns of cognition. Tara’s emotional development from the early age of nine displayed symptoms of depression as she cried all the time and almost weekly would attempt to commit suicide by jumping out of her window. A significant predisposing risk factor in suicide attempts is the comorbidity with depression, involving over half of all suicide attempts (Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy Suicidal Behaviour, 2014). Although in the interview Tara does not specifically talk about her own self-esteem or