FREE ESSAY ON DEPRESSIONS

DEPRESSIONS

Depression: The Sadness Disease
In our never-ending quest for happiness in our life, is some of the joy taken away? Have
our thoughts for what we always want turned astray? Why has the quest for happiness left
us more vulnerable and sad? Are we a society of melancholy people that are all looking
for happiness and disappointed with what we find? Leaving us in a state of depression and
unstableness. Turning us into not only a society of dismal people, but people that are
left spiritless and melancholic? 
In today's society depression is referred to as the "common cold of the mental health
problems." More than 5 percent of Americans have depression, that equates to an
astonishing 15 million people. It is said that 1 out of every 6 people has had a "major"
depressive episode in their life. It is estimated that it costs the nation a sum of 43
billion dollars a year in medication, lost school days, lost workdays, and professional
care for depression. Tens of thousands of people out of the 15 million attempts to commit
suicide because of depression and about 16,000 of those people succeed. 
Depression loosely defined is a disorder marked by a state of deep and pervasive sadness,
dejection and hopelessness, accompanied by feeling of fatigue apathy, and low self-worth
(Bourne and Russo 1998 p. A-24). Though that seems like a very comprehensive definition
it is characterized by many different symptoms to combine to one effect on the psyche.
Depression itself is not only widespread but also associated with many other
psychological conditions, with many physical diseases, and most certainly, with social
and external factors (Schwartz and Schwartz, 1993, p. 1). 
There are several major causes of depression that may occur in people. The first causes
are the biological causes are thought to be (1) heredity which includes the individuals
inherit directly as well as genetic transmission of vulnerability. (2) physiological
disturbance, which currently focuses on the body's neurochemical, endocrine, and limbic
systems. Psychological causes are thought to include (1) family origin, which focuses on
the general area of personality and its development, and on particular consequences of
child rearing. (2) social influences, a broad category covering the general area of
social and cultural factors, such as poverty, segregation, and sexism to name a few.
Stress is another factor in depression. Stress can result from physical illness; from the
inability to cope with certain life events, such as separation and loss, and from
significant changes, such as marriage, and childbirth (Schwartz and Schwartz, 1993, p.3).

There are certain people that are more susceptible to depression than most other people.
Those are people who are more likely to become depressed out of their nature than others,
some of those people include (ranking in higher susceptibility): women, men, the Baby
Boom generation, elderly, teens, and children. The likelihood of women getting depression
is twice as high as men. Most women have had traumatic childhood experiences that do not
surface until later on in life, thus leaving them vulnerable to depression. Men are
likely to get depression because it is said that men are supposed to rise above "feelings
of emotion," men often hide their sadness and that often leads to depression because they
are ashamed of it. The circumstances that can add to this are those of abusing alcohol
and drugs as a means of escape. It is said that Baby Boomers may be a reaction to the
emotional disruptions of growing up in 1950's and 60's America with its unprecedented
rates of divorce and relocation, leading to losses of family, friends, and community. The
Baby Boom generation also came of age during a time of record economic expansion, which
created great expectations of wealth and success. But their enormous numbers also meant
unprecedented competition for schools, jobs, and housing, leaving many of their dreams
unfulfilled. When people feel a gap between what they expect and what they get
unfulfilled expectations cause disappointment, frustration, loss of self-esteem and
sometimes depression. 
Depression in older people is often a reaction to physical deterioration and the loss of
friends, family, and rewarding activities. There are things that signal depression in the
elderly for example, unexplained crying is often a clue, so are combinations of vague
physical symptoms, for example, headache, difficulty swallowing, chest pain, and upset
stomach. Once other illnesses have been ruled out, depression is a real possibility.
Suicide is now the second leading cause of death from age 15 to 19 (after accidents).
Adolescence is a difficult period teens experience major hormonal change. They have
higher highs and lower lows. And they're loosening family ties, but not yet established
as individuals. This combination can lead to deeply emotional reactions to major losses.
Depression is not common in young children, but abuse, losses, and having a seriously
depressed parent increase the risk. Their symptoms tend to be behavioral. One must notice
unusual irritability, aggressive outbursts, and problems at school.
There are many symptoms that are included in the diagnosis of depression. There are major
indicators that people should be aware of to let people know that they might have the
possibility of having depression. Some of those symptoms are as follows: (1) The
depressed mood - more than 90 percent of depressed people appear to be depressed. They
look sad, their mouths are often turned down at the corners, their eyes may appear red
and swollen from crying and they may lack a sense of humor. They will frequently show
little interest or enjoyment for activities that normally enjoyable and may sometimes
express fears of total loss of feeling (Strange, 1992, p. 259). (2) Anhedonia - this is
the lack of pleasure. Nothing the depressed person does can make them happy, for example,
eating, going out, seeing friends and engaging in sports. They derive little pleasure
from anything, and have no desire to participate in anything that was once pleasurable to
them. (3) Pessimistic thoughts - the person experiences pessimistic thoughts about the
present, future, and past. They include the feeling of worthlessness, failure, and lack
of self-confidence. The may feel very hopeless which can often lead to suicide. (4)
Anxiety - Patients may experience the psychological manifestations of anxiety. From 60 to
70 percent of depressed patients report feelings of anxiety and sometimes extreme
worrying. For example, a nonpsychiatric physician who hears a patient complains of
anxiety often prescribes a tranquilizer such as Valium, which maybe ineffective and
coutnerindicated for depression (Schwartz and Schwartz, 1993, p. 20). (5) Sleep disorders
- Seventy to 80 percent of all persons with depression have some form of insomnia. The
most frequent type is one in which the individual, who is usually exhausted and has no
trouble falling asleep, wakes up after several hours and is unable to get back to sleep.
(6) Appetite changes - "The thought of food makes me ill," is what the average depressive
person says. The depressed person eats very little, and may refuse food or just nibble,
even when favorite dishes are presented to them. Shopping for food, preparing it and even
eating is expending energy that they do not have. (7) Changes in motor activity -
depressed persons often speak very slowly. They can be difficult to interview because it
may take them longer to answer a question, and if they do respond it may only be in a
monosyllable. Alternatively some patients exhibit agitation with restlessness and an
inability to relax (Strange, 1992, p. 260). (8) Thoughts of death and suicide - many
depressed persons think about death. They think of ending their lives as a way to escape
the way the feel inside. They will make statements such as, "I'd like to get away from it
all" and "I have nothing to live for." Only a percent of depressed persons attempt
suicide, but the risk of suicide in all depressives cannot be overstressed. Many, if not
most, of those who attempt suicide speak their intentions before they do it (Schwartz and
Schwartz, 1993, p. 21).
There are many different treatments that can be used to handle depression. There are a
wide range of treatments that include medications, therapy, and hospitalization to name a
few. All antidepressant medications are equally effective. They elevate mood in 60 to 80
percent of people who use them as directed. Anti-depressant drugs must be prescribed by a
doctor and used with a series of treatments (Schwartz and Schwartz, 1993, p. 146). The
first antidepressants, monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, were discovered accidentally
during the 1960's by researchers who were trying to develop new drugs to treat
tuberculosis. Since then, many other types of antidepressants have been developed. The
newer drugs are safer and for most people, have fewer side effects. MAO inhibitors didn't
help TB, but they elevated mood. It usually takes two to four weeks to feel any benefit.

Therapy is used as an alternative to medication. There are two main types of therapy for
depression. The first is cognitive-behavioral therapy, which is the most popular and
commonly used therapy for the effective treatment of depression. Hundreds of research
studies have been conducted to date which verify its safety and effectiveness in use to
help treat people who suffer from this disorder. In cognitive-behavioral therapy,
emphasis is placed on discussing these thoughts and the behaviors associated with
depression. While emotions are certainly a focus of some of the time throughout therapy,
it is thought within this theoretical framework that thoughts and behaviors are more
likely to change emotions than trying to attempt a post-mortem analysis of why a person
is feeling the way they are (Strange, 1992, p. 261). Because of this approach,
cognitive-behavioral therapy is short-term (usually conducted under two dozen sessions)
and works best for people experiencing a fair amount of distress relating to their
depression. Individuals who can approach a problem from a unique perspective and those
who are more cognitively oriented are also likely to do better with this approach. The
second is interpersonal therapy, which is another short-term therapy utilized in the
treatment of depression. The focus of this treatment approach is usually on an
individual's social relationships, and specifically on how to improve them. It is thought
that good, stable social support is imperative to a person's overall well being and
health within this framework. When relationships falter, a person directly suffers from
the negativity and unhealthiness of that relationship. Therapy seeks to improve a
person's relationship skills, working on communication more effectively, expressing
emotions appropriately, being properly assertive in social and occupational situations,
etc (Hurt et. al, 1991, p. 209). It is usually conducted, like cognitive-behavioral
therapy, on an individual basis but can also be used within a group therapy framework. 
Hospitalization of an individual is necessary when that person has attempted suicide or
has serious suicidal ideation or plan for doing so. Such suicidal intentions must be
carefully and fully assessed during an initial meeting with the client. The individual
must be imminent danger of harming themselves (or another). Daily, routine daily
functioning will likely be negatively affected by the presence of a clear and severe
major depression (Schwartz and Schwartz, 1993, p. 211). Most individuals who suffer from
major depression, however, are usually only mildly suicidal and most also often lack the
energy or will (at least initially) to carry out any suicidal plan. Hospitalization is
usually relatively short, until the patient becomes fully stabilized and the therapeutic
effects of an appropriate antidepressant medication can be realized (3 to 4 weeks). A
partial hospitalization program should also be considered (Hurt et. al, 1991, p. 209).
Depression is something that can be overcome with the help and support from family and.
Some the likelihood of depression has skyrocketed over the years it is imperative that
one should know the warning signs of depression. It takes self-help on the part of the
person with depression and the caring of others for you to reach out and acknowledge that
you might have depression. With the support of family and friends the person suffering
with depression will be able to function wholly as a person again. The will finally be
able to enjoy life again.
Bibliography
1. Bourne, L. E. Jr., & Russo, N. F. (1998). Psychology Behavior in Context. New York: 
W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.
2. Clarkin, J. F. Ph.D., Hurt, S. W. Ph.D., Reznikoff, M. (1991). Psychological 
Assessment, Psychiatric Diagnosis, Treatment Planning. New York: Brunner/Mazel, 
Inc.
3. Schwartz, A., Schwartz, R. M. (1993). Depression: Theories and Treatments. New York:
Columbia University Press
4. Strange, P. G. (1992). Brain Biochemistry and Brain Disorders. New York: Oxford 
University Press.