Depression is a manageable, medical condition, which is characterized by moods and feelings (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [AIHW], 2013a). Depression can affect the quality of life that a person experiences and is believed to be connected to cognitive impairments (AIHW, 2013a). Symptoms of depression can be improved through medication and non-medication interventions and treatments (AIHW, 2013a). In Australia, depression still remain the second leading cause of disability Between the years 2011 and 20012, depression was one of the three most frequently managed mental health conditions (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [AIHW], 2013b).
Our brains contain billions of neurons, which are essential for communication through the brain (Wasserman, 2011). Messages that are communicated through neurons are call neurotransmitters, which include amino acids (Wasserman, 2011). The neurotransmitters in ours brain affects our emotions, which is why it is connected to depression (Wasserman, 2011). These neurotransmitters include noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin (Wasserman, 2011). Noradrenaline regulates anxiety and mood levels, which may lead to depression when a person is experiencing stress (Wasserman, 2011). Dopamine is involved in mental activity (Wasserman, 2011). When there is low dopaminergic activity, and individual may find it difficult to feel as if they are getting pleasure out of life (Wasserman, 2011). When there is too much dopaminergic activity, individuals get excited and want change in everything in their lives (Wasserman, 2011). Serotonin affects hormone secretion, which affects an individual’s moods (Wasserman, 2011). When an individual does not have enough serotonin, they get aggressive and compet...
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Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2013b). Mental Health Services in brief. Cat. No. HSE
141. Canberra: AIHW. Retrieved from https://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=60129544723
Coleman, L.H. (2012). Depression: A Guide for the Newly Diagnosed. The New Harbinger Guides for the Newly Diagnosed Series, (pp. 178). Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications. Retreived from http://link.library.curtin.edu.au/p?pid=CUR_ALMA51102590320001951
Nolen-Hoeksema, S. & Hilt, L.M. (2013). Handbook of Depression in Adolescents (pp. 727). Hoboken: Taylor and Francis. Retrieved from http://link.library.curtin.edu.au/p?pid=CUR_ALMA51105776920001951
Wasserman, D. (2011). (2nd Ed.). Depression. The Facts. Oxford: OUP Oxford. Retrived from
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Depression can be a scary word in today’s society, not many people know how to react or respond to someone who is depressed. With a lot of support available within communities, depression still remains complicated for people to understand. As a result of this, people try various ways and approaches and are not successful.
Through my extensive research on depression I have learned a lot of new things. I have learned about the many forms of depression and treatment for depression. I have also learned a little about what is believed to go on chemically in the brain of a clinically depressed person. I was also able to partially determine what sort of role genetics, chemicals and personal influences in the brain. Though I was unable to determine exactly how environmental and personal stress can cause a chemical imbalance in a person, I was even able to speculate about this issue and determine some theories of my own on why and how this may happen.
Part One: Overview of depression, the serotonin system, and explanation of SSRI medications and alternatives.
Depression is considered a mental disorder that can lead an individual to commit suicide, experiment fatal risk that can injure his or her life. Furthermore, an individual feeling depressed lacks motivation to do anything progressive with his or her life. With that said, these individuals sometime gives up interest in activities that were once enjoyable, gets in a phase were he or she loses appetite, begins to overeat, loses concentration on what he or she is trying to complete, and becomes indecisiveness. Moreover, depression is a condition that makes an individual feel miserable, have no motivation to any activity that can influence his or her views, actions, welfare. Furthermore, depressed individuals at times may feel sad, apprehensive, desperate, destitute, useless, awkward, short-tempered, and agitated. In addition, the melancholy of depression is categorized by a greater concentration and length that is attached to severe symptoms. According to Wedding & Corsini (2014) states, “Physical disease, severe and acute stress, and chronic stress area also precipitating factors” (Pp. 240) of an individu...
Evidence suggests that depression is associated with high levels of morbidity and mortality and adversely affects the quality of life and social functioning (Katona, 1994). Some of these patients do not move about much, and with depression added to this premise, the transition from what these patients were used to, to a completely new environment is usually traumatic.
Although historically depression has been considered a character condition, evidence has accumulated suggesting the role of a biological substrate, namely serotonin, in subgroups of depressed patients. This accumulated evidence supports the indoleamine hypothesis of depression, which suggests that major depression results from a deficiency of available serotonin or inefficient serotonin. (16). We see that depletions of serotonin from certain regions of the brain such as the hypothalamus, amygdala, and cortical areas involved in cognition and other high processes, can have a great impact in contributing to depression.
Depression is a mental disorder in which a patient might feel intense, prolonged, negative emotions (Beyond Blue, 2014). This can have severe impact on a person's mental and physical health, thus affecting a person's quality of life. Severe cases can even lead to suicide. It is estimated that one in six Australians will experience depression in their lifetime (Beyond Blue, 2014). The burden of disease gives an indication of of the loss of health and well being of Australians due to each disease (ABS, 2010). Depression and anxiety is the leading cause of burden among females, accounting for 10% of burden while it is the third leading cause for men, accounting for 4.8% (AIHW, 2003) (This was the most recent information found). Depression can affect all age groups but generally first starts to appear in adolescence and early adulthood (National Youth Mental Health Foundation, 2013).
Lewinsohn, P.M., Hops, H., Roberts, R.E., Seeley, J.R. & Andrews, J.A. (1993). Adolescent psychopathology: I. Prevalence and incident of depression and other dsm-iii-r disorders in high school students. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 102(1), 133-144.
Depression can result from a physical disease, a mental illness, or it can be a recurring reaction of the body. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, major depressive illnesses are often the result of imbalances in neurotransmitters in the brain. It is these critical chemicals that send messages between nerve fibers and control mood (Creamer, 3). Older anti-depressants worked on three different neurotransmitters, serotonin, norepinepherine, and dopamine. However, it has been found that serotonin is the specific chemical in the brain that controls moods. Its job is to carry an impulse from one nerve fiber to the next. Serotonin is released by the nerve into the space between nerve fib...
Simpson, C. (2007) ‘Mental Health part3: Assessment and Treatment of Depression’ British Journal of Healthcare assistants. pp 167-171.
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 a serious mental health illness which affects an individuals’ mind, body and mood. It is a chronic and lifelong health condition (NICE, 2006) thought to be caused by a number of biological factors including neurotransmitter disturbances in the brain and an element of genetic vulnerability; these are often in addition to psychosocial factors such as the occurrence of undesirable life events, limited social network options, poor self esteem and the occurrence of any adverse life events during a persons’ lifetime (Bernstein, 2006). Depression can have an impact on a persons’ ability to do many things including working, engaging with others, participating fully in family life or maintaining relationships, and it can also impact on a person...
Depression is a psychological illness, much like bulimia or anorexia. It affects the mind as much as it does the body. Depression is directly related to many other disabilities: eating disorders, low energy levels, and social difficulties. Scientists have found that depression is the result of imbalances in the way the brain metabolizes chemicals called neurotransmitters.
Depression is a murky pool of feelings and actions scientists have been trying to understand since the days of Hippocrates, who called it a "black bile." It has been called "the common cold of mental illness and, like the cold, it's difficult to quantify. If feelings of great sadness or agitation last for much more than two weeks, it may be depression. For a long time, people who were feeling depressed were told to "snap out of it." According to a study done by National Institute of Mental Health, half of all Americans still view depression as a personal weakness or character flaw. Depression, however, is considered a medical disorder and can affect thoughts, feelings, physical health, and behaviors. It interferes with daily life such as school, friends, and family. Clinical depression is the most incapacitating of all chronic c...
Empfield, M., Bakalar, N. (2001). Understanding Teenage Depression: A Guide to Diagnosis, Treatment and Management, Holt Paperbacks, New York.