Depression is a serious medical condition in which a person feels very sad, hopeless, and unimportant. It brings together a variety of physical and psychological symptoms which together constitute a syndrome. There are many types of depression which each have their own causes, symptoms and forms of dealing with them. While some forms of depression are chemical based which can be a result of genetics, others are based on traumatic experiences which can trigger the person to have these feelings of hopelessness. There are many symptoms that are expressed with depression and treatments are available for those who suffer with the illness.
It is also the aim of this essay to discuss different psychosocial interventions and how effective these are in assisting a patient in their road to recovery. 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... ... middle of paper ... ...logy: Neuroscientific Bases and Practical Applications” 2nd Edition, New York, Cambridge University Press. Videbeck SL (2004) “Nursing Care Plan: Depression” Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, Third Edition, page 325-326 Whooly MA & Simon GE (2000) “Managing Depression in Medical Outpatients” New England Journal of Medicine, 343 (26) page 1942-1949 Wilkin P & Baker P (2004) “The Craft of Caring” Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Arnold Press, London page 26-33 Wilkinson P, Kelvin R, Roberts C, Dubika B, Goodyer I (2011) “Clinical & Psychosocial Predictors of Suicide Attempts and Nonsuicidal Self-Injury in the Adolescents Depression, Anti-Depressants & Psychotherapy Trial (ADAPT)” The American Journal of Psychiatry 168(5) page 495-501 www.clinical-depression.co.uk first accessed 24/05/2011 www.2KnowMyself.com , first accessed 24/05/2011
What are mental illnesses? Mental illnesses are health conditions that distorts the functions of brain. Mental illness is characterized by two terms mental and illness. Illness is defined as “a disease or disorder that causes a period of sickness that affects the body or mind”. Whereas mental is a simpler term that is defined as “the relating to something occurring or being experience in the mind”.
The effectiveness of these programs will be explored. An individual factor that predisposes older adults to become suicidal is the mental health of an older adult. An accepted definition of mental health is the level of emotional wellbeing or the absence of a mental disorder (WHO, 2010). Several studies (e.g., Uncapher, Gallagher-Thompson, Osgood & Bongar, 1998; & Neufeld & O’Rourke, 2009) explored the effects of mental health issues in relation to suicide in older adults. These studies found; feeling hopeless, depressed and impulsivity could lead to suicide related ideation.
Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health related situations and events that impact a community (McKenzie, Pinger, & Kotecki, 2008). A common state that impacts a community is depression. Depression is a mental health condition that affects people of all ages. According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (2011), depression is described by a state of sadness and hopelessness. Some symptoms of depression include no interest in daily activities, fatigue, inability to perform daily tasks, loss of appetite, and thoughts of suicide (CDC, 2011).
The death of a loved one, the loss of a valued relationship, and the loss of self esteem are some significant losses which might be a factor in teen suicide("The Real World [Suicide: Facts]," 1). Perceived abuse such as physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, social abuse or neglect can lead to self-murder("Teen Suicide," 3). Significant changes, losses, and abuse can promote suicidal tendencies. Few suicidal people have some type of depression, yet those who have one can be provoked to commit suicide. There are two main types of depression suffered by (, 2) suicidal people("Suicide," {Grolier}).
Psychosis is a severe mental disorder in which thought and emotion are so impaired that contact is lost with external reality. With any psychosis disorder, the person’s inner world and behavior have notably changed. Psychosis is diagnosed through a psychiatric evaluation. That means a doctor will watch a persons behavior and ask questions about what he or she is experiencing. Doctors may use medical tests and x-rays to determine whether there is an underlying illness causing the symptoms.
Depression What is Depression? Depression is a serious medical illness, it is more than just a feeling of being sad or being down for a few days. It is a brain disorder that can cause bad mood or loss of interest in things that he loved or was significant in their daily life. The most known symptom of major depression is low mood or bad, sadness, or a sense loneliness. Many people with depression also have anxiety.
The symptoms experienced with depression range in severity and vary with each diagnosis. Symptoms may include loss of memory, mood swings, and feelings of anguish, despair, guilt, isolation, and thoughts of suicide. People with depression may experience physiological symptoms such as, heaviness in the bones or chest pain. Depression, in all its forms, has a high hereditary link, but can be triggered by environmental factors such as a death of a loved one or childhood trauma. The treatment for depression is a trial and error process.
Depression affects people both mentally and physically (Kim 14). In order for a person to enter the realm of depression different biological, psychological, and sociological risk factors must exist (Kim 89). The severity of the depression experienced by a person is predispositioned by the severity of the risk factors experienced by that person. Even the most severe cases of depression can be treated with the help of professionals. Psychiatrists can prescribe drugs and biological means of treatment (Kim 90); psychologists offer psychotherapy as a means of help (Kim 90).