First thing I going to talk about is the many causes of depression. First off there is abuse, which can range anywhere from emotional, mental, to physical. If someone is abused in any way it can make them feel worthless or make them feel like the deserve the abuse cause they view themselves as failures, which isn’t ever really the case. Second there’s serious illnesses that can cause depression. For example cancer, autism, asthma, diabetes, and epilepsy. There are millions of people in the world who have “regular” to life threatening illnesses. They are the poster children of depression due to the fact it delays their mobility, the cant do things normal people can do, they have to take a substantial amount of medication, and so many more reasons. All these setbacks depresses them and makes them feel like a lower human being who always needs taken care of. Third there’s death and loss that can cause depression. If someone loses someone very close to them (whether it has to do with death or just a permanent
Within the spectrum of Mental health issues there has been discussion on what depression is classified as within the Mental health scope; on whether depression is a mental illness, a mental disorder, or simply a state of mind? In my research I have found that the issue of depression is all of these varying on the situation or symptoms of one’s depression. Depression can be both a mental illness, a mental disorder, and simply a state of mind.
Do you ever feel down and out? Fill yourself loosing interest in thing you used to love? Then you might have depression. Depression is a period of time in which you feel sad. I know you are saying to yourself you are just a little down, but depression is a serious medical condition in which a person feels very sad, hopeless, and unimportant and often unable to live in a normal way. There are multiple types of depression, that effects your mental state in various ways.
The World Health Organization estimates that there are over 350 million people in world who struggle with depression. It is also the leading cause of disability worldwide. Similar to anxiety, depression effects people of all races, ages, and genders however it has been shown that women are more likely to be effected than men. Depression is growing problem. Specifically in America, approximately 17% of adults will suffer through a season of depression at some time in their lives. This rate has been increasing since 1915 and the trend shows that it will continue to do
Is depression a mental illness? Before we get into the discussion we need to know what depression is. Depression is typically defined as a mood state that goes well beyond temporarily feeling sad or blue. It is a serious medical illness that affects one’s thoughts, feelings, behavior, mood and physical health. How is it determined to be a mental illness? The American Psychiatric Association 's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) is the current reference used by health care professionals to diagnose mental illnesses such as depression. Depression symptoms are listed as follows: Depressed mood (such as feelings of sadness or emptiness; Reduced interest in activities that used to be enjoyed;
Depression leads to suicide. Major depression and clinical depression are mood disorders comprised of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration, that interfere with everyday life. An estimated 19 million American adults are living with major depression. Two- thirds of americans suffering from depression do not get treatment. Females experience depression about twice frequently as males. Depression distorts thinking. When depressed, the mind can play tricks. If considering suicide, please call someone immediately. Don't let a temporary glitch in thinking cause harm.
Depression is a mental illness in which a person experiences deep, stable sadness and discontinued interest in nearly all activities. People also use the term depression to describe the temporary sadness, loneliness, or blues that everyone feels from time to time. In contrast to normal sadness, severe depression, also called major depression, can dramatically lessen a person’s ability to function in social situations and at work. People with major depression often have feelings of despair, hopelessness, and worthlessness, as well as thoughts of committing suicide.
Something a lot of people don’t realize about depression, or any mental illness for that matter, is that it cannot be cured right away. Many patients have had to fight through trial and error to hang onto the last bit of will they have to get better. During the diagnosis process, patients often have to wait periods as long as a month to get the correct diagnosis, after which they spend another few months trying to find the right medicine. In severe cases, these few months may be too long. “In 2010 (the most recent year for which data are available), 38,364 suicides were reported, making suicide the 10th leading cause of death for Americans. In that year, someone in the country died by suicide every 13.7 minutes” (~). Mental illness is a very serious thing, not to be toyed with or dismissed like a common cold.
The word ‘depression’ has become a common everyday word. We hear the term ‘depression’ so frequently today, it’s even used in the contexts of jokes. For example you may hear someone say ‘My favorite show is over, now I have nothing to watch, I’m so depressed’. Obviously this person is not depressed, but we have come to overuse it in our expressions, to the point that is takes away from the seriousness of this disorder. Major depressive disorder is a mood disorder characterized by at least two weeks of depressed mood or loss of interest in nearly all activities, along with sleep or eating disturbances, loss of energy, and feelings of hopelessness (Kosslyn, Rosenberg, 2006). This mood disorder is characterized by a depressed mood, lack of interest in activities normally enjoyed, and feeling of worthlessness. Over the course of two weeks, someone who is suffering with major depressive disorder can experience symptoms such as significant weight loss, daily insomnia or hypersomnia, loss of energy, diminished ability to think or concentration, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide (Kosslyn, Rosenberg, 2006).
In Tracy Thompson’s article, “The Beast: A Reckoning with Depression,” she illustrates that she calls her depression “the beast” because it has been surrounding her and changed her personality and dominated a particular time in her life. She was able to get help by going to a therapist and taking proper medication to improve her future. At first, she was thinking negatively of her life, however, after she got help, this gave her a positive outlook of life. Now, Tracy Thompson is able to continue on living her life. Tracy can be inspirational to many people that are suffering through depression because she was able to get help when she felt that she needed it. She
Depression can have a great impact on someone’s life. Imagine trying to balance these symptoms while in school, work, or being a mother or father. Although while suffering from this disorder there are solutions out there
Depression is an equal opportunity disorder, it can affect any group of people with any background, race, gender, or age. Depression is a sneak thief that slips quietly and gradually into people’s lives - robbing them of their time, and their focus. At first, depression may be undetectable, but in the long run a person could become so weighed down that their life may feel empty and meaningless. Contrary to popular belief, not everyone who commits suicide is depressed, but majority of people who commits suicide do so during a severe depressive episode. There are over 300 million people in the world today who suffer from depression. Depression has affected people for a long as records have been kept. It was first called out by the famous Greek philosopher Hippocrates over 2,400 years ago. Hippocrates called it “melancholia”. Many times we think of depression as one disorder alone, when in fact there are many different types of depression. The different types of depression are major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, atypical disorder, adjustment disorder, and depressive personality disorder. All types of depression share at least one common symptom. It is commons from the person who suffers from any form of depression to feel an unshakable sadness, anxious, or empty mood. Major depressive disorder also known as unipolar depression or recurrent depressive disorder is the most severe depressive disorder out of all of the depressive in my estimation. Major depressive disorder is a condition in which affects a person’s family, work or school life, sleeping, eating and general health. It is important to emphasize that we can understand the mechanics of this disorder and how it affects people with major depressive disorder.
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 interferes with an individuals everyday functioning (Stuart-Hamilton, 2012, p. 248). Depression is a debilitating condition which does not just involve an individual feeling down (Stuart-Hamilton, 2012, p. 248). Individuals suffering from depression may also experience irrational feelings of guilt or worthlessness, they may become fixated with suicide and death and experience extreme levels of decreased physical and mental energy (Stuart-Hamilton, 2012, p. 248).
Depression can affect peoples lives substantially, especially a disconnection with family and friends. “Unfortunately some people get so depressed as a result of their mental illness or life circumstances that they consider suicide as an option to escape from their emotional pain.” (10 Powerful Suicide Prevention Quotes & Sayings 1). Often those suffering with depression see no ability to feel better and do not seek treatment, thus creating a dangerous level of untreated depression. Kathy Romito, a medical reviewer for WebMD says, “After you have had an episode of depression, you are more likely to have it again” (Romito). In some cases, untreated depression may lead to self-harm or in extreme cases