The Expression of Depression in Various Religious Groups Depression is one of the most prevalent mental disorders worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, depression affects an estimated 350 million people and suicide, which is closely related to depression, results in an estimated 1 million deaths per year. The symptoms of depression include sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of hopelessness, guilt, and low self-worth, changes in sleep and appetite, fatigue, and lack of concentration. Severity, time-span, and recurrence can vary. Depression also results in impairment of functioning, which can affect the individual, others around them, and can worsen the depressive symptoms. Because of the prevalence of the disorder, it is important to consider factors …show more content…
Another factor that has been shown to impact symptoms of depression is religious belief and involvement. It is important to know how religious affiliation may impact the expression of depressive symptoms and how it may affect the treatment process so that this effect can be taken into consideration in the diagnosis and treatment of the disorder. The purpose of this paper is to look at the impact of religious affiliation on the expression and treatment of depression. Religious affiliation has been shown to have both negative and positive influences on depression depending on the nature and reasoning for an individual’s religious involvement. ADD ATTRIBUTION REPORT HERE. In a review of the literature, McCullough and Larson (1999) found that higher rates of depression tend to be seen in those with no religious affiliation as opposed to those who are religiously affiliated with a particularly strong effect seen in African American males. The literature review also found that intrinsic reasons for a high value of religious faith seem to relate to decreased risk for depression while extrinsic reasons for
The dominant biomedical model of health does not take into consideration lay perspectives (SITE BOOK). Lay perspectives go into detail about ordinary people’s common sense and personal experiences. A cultural perspective, like the Hmong cultures perspective on health, is considered a lay perspective. Unlike the Hmong culture, where illness is viewed as the imbalance between the soul and the body, the dominant biomedical model of health views health in terms of pathology and disease (SITE THE BOOK). Although the Hmong culture considers spiritual and environmental factors, the dominant biomedical model of health only looks at health through a biological perspective, and neglects the environment and psychological factors that affect health. Depression in the U.S. is a medical illness caused by neurochemical or hormonal imbalance and certain styles of thinking. Depression is the result of unfortunate experiences that the brain has difficulties processing (SITE 7). Unlike the Hmong culture, where Hmong’s who are diagnosed with depression report the interaction between a spirit, people diagnosed with depression in the Western culture report themselves to having symptoms such as feeling tired, miserable and suicidal (SITE
Gilliland, Steve. “Awake My Soul: Dealing Firmly with Depression.” Ensign Aug.1978: 37-40. Mills Johnson, Sherrie. Remarks at Assoc.of Mormon Counselors and Psychotherapists. Salt Lake City, Utah. 2 Apr. 2004. .
I can distinguish between, various disorders and their impact on the patient such as Bipolar affective disorder and the distinct stages of mania and affect, the patient is presenting with, exposure to mental health disorders as an extension of the individual including symptoms and presentation has significantly contributing to my understanding of the mental health. the diversity and range he along the spectrum has increased my understanding as well as treatment services such as TMS AND ECT Although the analysis demonstrates the success of religious integration in group therapy and cohesion, it is necessary to consider individuals from other religions and those who are not religious or atheist. Sigurdardottir’s et al. (2016) wellness program may have shown prominent success due to the program leaning towards general activities such as yoga, art therapy and relaxation exercises with a focus on mind and body, irrespective of religious affiliation. Likewise, Tutty, Bubbins-Wagner and Rothery’s (2015) evaluation of the 14-week therapy program, You’re Not Alone also demonstrated improved mental wellbeing of the participants based on the interventions like character building, positive reinforcement and active role play which highlighted aggressive, abusive characters and the typical behaviours in relationships. the ability to interatw with a patient,
Within a community’s network of healing, spiritual health is connected to psychological and emotional health. Father Jim discussed that, as a priest, he finds a person’s spiritual life can affect his/her psychological and emotional state. That is, individuals with troubles in their spiritual lives often suffer psychologically and em...
Koenig states that the impact religions have on mental pathologies such as depression and anxiety are making the person more suppress, moderate, deter and prevent the effects from stress which leads to depression (Koenig, 1998). Mormons may get caught up in practicing what they think is right about God and will step away from all other options. However, Koenig states that Mormons are wealthy and would sometimes rather counselors over their own religion. There is a lot of controversies over whether or not Mormons seek help in God or in other ways such as counseling or health professionals. The Mormons that do want professional help also are sometimes discouraged from fellow neighbors because of the inability past social workers had in knowing different cultures and religions beliefs, morals, and behaviors. The author also mentions that Mormons are built upon truth and when a mental or emotional illness occurs it is sometimes known as a manifestation of sin. Mormons who are diagnosed with a mental illness usually have had a difficult time self-reflecting until they are brought upon an illness that stops them living the way they used
Historically, the concept of caring for the afflicted was founded on biblical principles, especially morality. On a personal level, an individual’s spirituality also influences how one copes with stressors in life, such as illness. When addressing an individual’s emotional and spiritual needs, health benefits such as decreased pain, decreased stress and anxiety, improved rates of insomnia, as well as decreased cardiac and respiratory rates have been realized (Puchalski, 2001). More broadly stated, “Spiritual practices have been shown to improve health outcomes” (Puchalski, 2001, p.
Depression is an illness within itself that affects the “whole body”. (Staywell,1998) The body, feelings, thoughts, and behavior are all immensely altered when someone is depressed. It is not a sign of personal weakness, or a condition that can be wished or willed away. For some people depression is just temporary, but for others it can last for weeks, months and even years.
Depression is the leading cause of disability globally. 18 million adults in US are affected by it, twice as many women as men. It is ranked right after high blood pressure in terms of chronic medical condition. Even though many people are affected by it, millions more cases are not diagnosed because people are reluctant to seek help, fearing the stigma which is attached to mental illness or they simply do not realize they are ill. The symptoms can range from mild to severe, feeling hopelessness and despair.
Depression is a mental illness, which affects millions of Americans each year. Currently there are many prescription drugs, called anti-depressants that have been proven to successfully treat it. The causes of depression are somewhat of a medical enigma, however, it is known that depression is associated with a change in the brains chemistry involving the function of neurotransmitters (Reichert). This chemical change occurs in healthy brain’s, which experience sadness, but ends after the unpleasant stimulus is removed. In people suffering from depression this chemical change does not correspond to any particular stimulus. Symptoms of depression are often incapacitating and include severe and extended sadness, feelings of worthlessness, feelings of emptiness, irritability and anxiety (Reichert, Spake).
Worthington, E. L. Jr., Hook, J. N., Davis, D. E., & McDaniel, M. A. (2011). Religion and spirituality. In J. C. Norcross (Ed.), Psychotherapy relationships that work (2nd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press
There is evidence suggesting that attention to one’s spirituality influences the ability to cope with illness, help in the prevention of illn...
...tz, Hans-Georg; Lewis, Christopher Alan. “The Relationship Between Religion and Happiness Among German Students.” Pastoral Psychology. 51.4 (2003): 273-281. Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection. Web. 19 June 2015.
Depression is among the risk factors affecting many people especially the elderly in the U.S. Depression leads to mental illness among the elderly in addition to other negative effects of depression are failure of body functionality, high health care costs, poor quality of life and unfavorable health outcomes. Currently, the population of the citizens aged 65 and above is at least 12 percent in America. The population is expected to grow to one-fifth by the years 2030. The projected population growth among the elderly requires a lot of attention since mental problems resulting from depression are likely to increase as well. Although depression affect many elderly people, it remains under-treated and under-recognized in the country (CDC, 2009).
There are many people in the world who are struggling with the disease depression. Depression is the state in which a person feels very sad, hopeless and unimportant. The thing about depression is that it affects both genders and any ages. Depression is something that deserves full attention. For many reasons doctors believe that when a person has depression, they have to start taking medication for it as if medications help. People are becoming more dependent on antidepressants when there are other techniques for dealing with depression.
People with depression may oversleep or sleep for fewer hours. Depression also influences one’s energy levels, regardless of the amount of sleep. Some depressed people may become nervous and easily agitated, pacing rapidly or constantly fidgeting. Many experience extreme lethargy, losing motivation and will to carry on. An incredibly common feeling is depression is the feeling of a burden too great. This may be standards of other people, social anxiety, or traumatic experiences. Depressed people may also have difficulty thinking, poor concentration, and problems with memory. The feelings of worthlessness, helplessness, guilt, and self-blame are those among the most commonly recorded. This leads to the major influence of depression on the world, suicidal thoughts and actions. At least fifteen percent of seriously depressed people commit suicide, successfully. In return, ninety percent of people who kill themselves have depression or a mental illness in relation to depression. In some severe cases, people with depression experience psychotic symptoms, including delusions and