Major Depressive Disorder, Comorbidities, and the Pandemic

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a relatively common mood disorder that significantly affects an individual’s mood and behavior as well as physical functions such as sleep and appetite. MDD onset involves an interplay between biochemical and environmental factors, as many illnesses are. As a result, recent studies done to analyze and possibly establish a relationship between the COVID-19 Pandemic and the prevalence of MDD have found a positive correlation between the two. 

In the article “Abnormal emotional reactivity in depression: Contrasting theoretical models using neurophysiological data,” Hill et al. discuss using structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques to compare different theoretical models of aberrant emotional experiences in depression. Researchers are able to test different questions relating to internalizing symptomology as well by combining techniques such as SEM and ERPs. 

The researchers also talk about limitations to using these methods as it is difficult to assess relationships between MDD and comorbidities due to limitations in sample populations especially. This limitation is especially relevant to MDD during the pandemic, as it seems to be that populations that are more likely to be excluded from sample populations, such as minority populations and young adults, are more likely to experience MDD and comorbidities such as anxiety. 

            In an article in the New York Times, Jan Hoffman discusses that young adults along with Black and Latino people of all ages are showing signs of deteriorating mental health in terms of MDD as well as increased risk of substance abuse disorders. Rising levels of MDD and associated suicidal ideation are currently correlated with and being attributed to the effects of the pandemic. These are wide ranging effects, which could include physical sickness, grief, isolation, and more. 

Researchers are noticing trends that indicate that young adults ages 18-24 and Black and Latino people are feeling the greatest effects of the coronavirus through MDD. A comorbidity of depression has been seen to be substance abuse disorders, as many of these people have increased their use of substances such as alcohol, marijuana, and prescription drugs to cope with their MDD. Research from groups such as Hill et. al. further our understanding of how MDD manifests differently with different comorbidities and under different conditions. Further research should work to incorporate a more diverse sample population, especially as groups such as minorities, which are likely to be underrepresented in research, are more likely to develop MDD. 

 

References: 

 

Hill KE, South SC, Egan RP, Foti D. Abnormal emotional reactivity in depression: Contrasting theoretical models using neurophysiological data. Biol Psychol. 2019 Feb;141:35-43. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2018.12.011. Epub 2018 Dec 29. PMID: 30597188.

 

Hoffman, J. (2020, August 13). Young adults report rising levels of anxiety and depression in pandemic. Retrieved May 04, 2021, from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/13/health/Covid-mental-health-anxiety.html