Clinical depression is one of many mental disorders affecting 1 in 10 Americans today. This disorder is characterized by ongoing feelings of sadness and despair which leads to anxiety, agitation, feelings of emptiness, and loss of self-worth. Following these initial symptoms are possible weight loss or gain, insomnia, lack of energy, unusual indecisiveness, and even suicidal thoughts or attempts. There are many possible causes of major depression; however, very often the disease strikes without any triggering cause which leads to a great deal of frustration by the affected person and his or her loved ones. Fortunately, scientists have narrowed the list to three major causes: a first depressive episode caused by a traumatic event, a …show more content…
The same chemical alteration that can result from first depressive episode, can also be the result of a naturally occurring biochemical disorder. It now appears that depression can be caused by decreased levels of serotonin and norepinephrine. These are neurotransmitters found in the brain that are responsible for triggering the events that allow a person to feel motivation, capability, and the drive to live everyday life. The depressive brain chemistry alteration seems to be self-limiting in most cases: after one to three years, a more normal chemistry may reappear, even without medical treatment. However, if the alteration is profound enough to cause suicidal impulses, a majority of untreated depressed people will attempt suicide, and as many as 17% will succeed. Therefore, depression must be thought of as a potentially fatal illness.
There is also scientific evidence that depression is an inherited disorder. A recent article published in the Health Section of USA Today claims that a study is giving scientists encouragement that they are on the trail of a manic depression gene. The gene might increase vulnerability to the disease only if inherited from the father. The researchers traced the inheritance of a series of markers on chromosome 18, which was identified in a 1994 study as a possible location of the
fact depression can also come from an environment. If a child's sibling is depressed, or a
The biological theory of depression focusing on genetics argues that shared DNA is the cause of depression so the more genes shared with a depressed family member, the more an individual’s likelihood to develop depression. Whereas psychological theories of depression, such as the cognitive negative schema, focus on how individuals perceive
Depression is a disorder that can be caused by many factors. Stress, medication, other medical illnesses, and personality traits can all contribute to depression, but the most common cause, however, is heredity (yahoo.com 1). These are all theorized guesses as to what causes clinical depression. The actual cause has not yet been resolved (yahoo.com 1). It is considered that usually more than one factor causes the disorder (yahoo.com 2).
No one knows the exact etiology of depression. Depression is a disorder that is still being examined, just like many other mental disorders the etiology depends on multiple factors. Some factors include biological differences, life events, brain chemistry, and hormones. Even though clinical professions have multiple benchmarks to reference depression etiology still depends on the individual person. An example for the unknown etiology of depression could be as something as simple as a scar on a person face. To a male who plays football, a scar on his face may not affect him. But if a female has a scar on her face it means a lot because females are often judge based on their appearance. Having a scar on a females face could be a reason
As research on major depression is ever expanding and developing, it is pivotal to critically analyse the validity of studies in this area. The main focus of researchers over time has been centered on discovering ways to implement effective treatments and determining preventative measures. However, more importantly identifying key theories behind why major depression occurs in the first place in this assignment will help to further understand this common mental illness and how certain medications can either improve or worsen a person’s condition.
Clinical depression affects up to 40% to 50 % of HIV/AIDS patients and is the very frequently seen as a mental health disorder among infected individuals. Women with HIV are twice as likely as men to be depressed. Depressive symptoms have been linked to risky behavior, non-compliance to medications, and to diminished survival rates. Although, sorrow and grief are customary reactions to the outcomes of HIV/AIDS infection, clinical depression is not. Failure to identify depression may jeopardize others in the community, as well as, the patient. Depression can also negatively affect the immune system and a general fulfilment of life. Health care providers and nurses should assess for depression as part of the annual mental health assessment and
The suicide rate for adolescents has increased more than 200% over the last decade. Recent studies have shown that greater than 20% of adolescents in the general population have emotional problems and one-third of adolescents attending psychiatric clinics suffer from depression. The majority of teenage depressions can be managed successfully by the primary care physician with the support of the family, says Maurice Blackman MB, FRCPC.
Of all the major illnesses, mental or physical, depression has been one of the toughest to overcome (Friedman). Although there are 26 different types of antidepressant drugs on the market, only one third of patients have success after one round of treatment. Scientists are still conducting experiments to find out exactly what is the cause of depression. It was once believed that it was caused by a lack of chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine or serotonin, but it has been discovered that it is much more complex than that. Many people suffering with depression feel that it isn’t that serious or will go away on its own. Only about a third of those struggling with depression actually seek professional help. If left untreated, long term depression can often lead to more dangerous habits, such as alcoholism, use of recreational drugs, and even suicide.
According to the World Health Organization, Depression is the most common mental disorder, affecting 300 million people of all ages globally. It’s a serious mood disorder that affects your life completely. It causes drastic symptoms that cripples your daily life. It alters how you think, sleep, work, eat, and how you handle daily activities. There many signs and symptoms of depression, they include feelings of guilt, worthlessness, pessimism and consistent thoughts of death and suicide. The DSM-5 states that for depression to be diagnosed patients, illustrate symptoms for over a two-week period of time. Depression can affect any one of any age, but it mostly begins in adulthood. The National Institute of Mental Health Suggests that research have shown that depression is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors.
“Major Depressive Disorder is a leading cuase of disability in the United States today” (Halter Pg. 251). It is hard to truly get a good grasp on depression due to the fact of the wide range of how symptoms manifest, along with the differences in how well people respond to treatment.
Right now, over fourteen and a half million Americans, nearly seven percent of the population, suffer from Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)(Source 1). The human brain and its complexities currently make it impossible to quantify the exact way in which depression arises and affects a person. However, one thing is certain, a lot of people are sad, and it is getting worse. The rate of depression among high school to college age students has increased significantly in the U.S. over the past fifty years.
Depression is the most widespread mental illness in today’s society. Studies have found that, 1 out of 8 teens are affected with this disease. It also predominantly affects young ladies than it does males. (www.kidshealth.org). Teens are at a position in their lives when they must face significant transition and peer pressures. They are trying to identify with themselves and trying to figure out where there puzzle piece fits in society, all of which can show the way to behavioral and emotional changes. This is also a stage when families suffer from poor communication: teenagers often tend to keep their feelings and concerns to themselves away from their parents and other authority figures. Therefore, identifying depression in teenagers
Depression has numerous causes and effects which affect not only the person but the people around them. Depression doesn’t have a specific cause; in most cases it’s different for everyone. It is a common, treatable mental illness that can be experienced at any time in life. It is often described with feeling sad, unhappy, miserable, or “down in the dumps”. Most people have these feelings on occasion. There are several types of depression. These different types of depression describe slight, but often important, diagnostic differences. True clinical depression interferes with mood disorder in everyday life for weeks, months, or even years. Most people think depression affects only one
One of the scariest emotional experiences a person can ever suffer during their lifetime is to experience a form of depression. Over one in five Americans can expect to get some form of depression in their lifetime. Over one in twenty Americans have a depressive disorder every year. Depression is one of the most common and most serious mental health problems facing people today. However, depression is often not taken seriously because of the large use of antidepressant drugs and the large number of sufferers. Depression is a serious illness and should be taken as so. Contrary to the popular misconceptions about depression today, it is a serious and deadly disorder.1
The term depression is widely misused in today’s society. All human beings experience periods in life where they are sad for a relatively short period of time, which is considered normal. Those who experience sadness for extended periods may be suffering from depression. Two terms used to reference the classifications of depression, are Major Depressive Disorder, and Dysthymia. Individual diagnosis of these classifications is dependent on the length of time, and severity of symptoms experienced by the individual. The causes for these depressive states can be due to genetics or the insufficient production of neurotransmitters, which provide the brain with the data necessary to regulate one's psychological well being. Two examples