Epidemiology Of Depression Essay

According to research published in The American Journal of Psychiatry, major depression rates for American adults increased from 3.33 percent to 7.06 from 1991 to 2002. “Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act”(Parekh). Although some may believe that depression is stagnant, more Americans are in fact dealing with depression than in years prior. I heard this and was unsettled. In a time of openness and greater opportunity than ever before, why is depression increasing in Americans? My research has lead to the conclusion that social media, the modernization of western culture, and the average American diet has been leading factors in

Depression is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors (“Depression: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments” 2015). Researchers are becoming increasingly aware that depression runs in families (Kam,2009) meaning that certain genes may make people prone to depression suggesting a biological vulnerability. The biological factors that have some effect on the hereditary and biological influences of depression are the genes, hormones, and brain chemicals.

Major depression is a commonly diagnosed psychological disorder affecting individuals’ ability to feel happiness and peace of mind. Those who suffer experience negative emotions, lack of motivation, changes in behaviour and dysfunctional cognitive symptoms. Depression is classified by the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) as five of more of the listed symptoms present persistently over the same two weeks. One of these symptoms must be depressed mood or loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities. Depression causes disruption to typical daily life such as inability to maintain friendships and jobs. Other symptoms outlined by the DSM-5 include; insomnia, fatigue and recurrent thoughts of death. There is much debate over what exactly causes depression. Biological explanations question hereditary and neurotransmitter factors. While psychological theories include the cognitive ideas of Beck’s negative triad and hopelessness theory. This essay will focus on the ways in which psychological and biological explanations contrast and how their theories can overlap to better understand depression.

The pathophysiology of depression is multifaceted and difficult to pinpoint. Depression can arise from a multitude of precipitating factors, both external and internal to the patient. There are varying theories about the cause of depression, each of which “are based on studies investigating psychosocial stress and stress hormones, neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), neurocircuitry, neurotrophic factors, and circadian rhythms” (Hasler, 2010). Due to the vast immensity of theories available, Woo, & Robinson (2016) recommends that treatment for depression should be tailored to each patient and their disease state individually. In Mary Smith’s case her depression appears

Sadness is experienced everyone occasionally. However, because Depression interferes with daily life and can cause physical pain it lasts longer, Upwards of 66% of individuals with depression don't understand that they have a disease which is treatable and so, unfortunately, don't look for professional help.

Depression is one of the leading causes of death in the world (Moreh and O’Lawrence 3). Approximately 121 million people around the world are affected by depression symptoms (Moreh and O’Lawrence 2). Depression is different than normal sadness that everyone experiences in their lives. Depression is “a common psychological disorder…..that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest” (Moreh and O’Lawrence 2). Depression is often thought of as an issue that only affects adults, but at any given time 10 to 15 percent of teens and young adults are depressed (Moreh and O’Lawrence 2).

The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale created a 19-question survey to measure the student’s depressive symptoms within the in-home interviews associated within the Add Health Research (CES-D; Radloff, 1977). The questions observed a scale of depressive symptoms such as feeling lonely, feeling depressed, and feeling too tired to do things. The Add Health research established that overall participating student reported low levels of depressive symptoms between students with homosexual parents and heterosexual parents. Results of the Add Health research for depressive symptoms were M = 10.73, SD = 7.25, on a scale of 0 to 57, with higher scores indicating greater levels of depressive symptoms. Anxiety stood at M = 0.82, SD = 0.53, measured on a scale ranging from 0 to 28, higher scores indicating higher levels of anxiety. And results showed high levels of self-esteem at M = 4.02, SD = 0.53, on a scale from 6 to 30, higher scores indicating higher self-esteem (“Psychosocial Adjustment, School Outcomes, and Romantic Relationships of Adolescents With Same-Sex Parents”, 2004).

Have you ever wondered what really causes depression? Or how people are even depressed and not just sad? The reason I chose this topic is because I have depression. Not only that but I only know a limited amount of this disorder, and also considering the fact that depression runs along side both of my mom’s and dad’s side of the family. My curiosity grows as I wonder, what does this really mean? Why was i diagnosed with depression? Is depression permanent or can it be cured? How? Where does depression come from? On this journey as i take you into the world of mental health knowledge, you will also get to know a little bit about depression, and maybe answer some of your questions.

Globally, around 350 million people suffer from clinical depression. However, its causes remain largely unknown. There are many theories that attempt to explain the cause of depression, but none of them fully explain the disorder. In this essay I will explain the assumptions made in the psychoanalytic and biological theories around depression.

Major depression can last for long periods of time that has severely distinct emotional, mental and physical systems that can be disabling. It is also the leading cause of disability in the United States of America between the ages of 15-44. (The World Health Organization) A more mild form of depression is called dysthymia which lasts for at least a few years affecting approximately 1.5 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year. (Kessler, 2005) Symptoms can include periods of prolonged sadness, anger, worthlessness as well as significant changes in appetite and sleep patterns. Other signs an individual can show is an inability to concentrate, social withdrawal and thoughts of suicide. While there is no singular cause of depression that can be applied all, current research suggest that a combination of genetic, biological, environmental and psychological factors lead to depression. (NIH, Depression) Results from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have shown that the parts of the brain that effects an individual’s mood, thinking, sleep, appetite, and behavior are unbalanced or appear different. (NIH, Depression) Although these images have yet to explain to researchers why depression has occurred, once diagnosed this disorder can be

Depression is a psychological disease. It is one of the most common mental illnesses (Blais, et al., 2013). Depression was known since antiquity. Hippocrates diagnosed it in fourth century BC (McNamara and Horan, 1986). After World War II, depression was described as “aggression turned inward” (McNamara & Horan, 1986). Now there is Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, which is designed to evaluate how severe is depression (Gibbons et al., 2012).

Depression is a serious and prevalent problem in the 21st century and had been for a long time. It is the most common mood disorder and has a lifetime prevalence rate of 6-25% in international studies (Carr, 2012). Reliable diagnosis is vital for the study of mental disorders (Fried, Epskamp, Nesse, Tuerlinckx & Borsboom, 2016) and with the rising issue that depression is, individuals with multiple chronic diseases can be tackling depression occurring at the same time thus, it may complicate the treatment of these chronic illnesses. However there is a question of whether it is due to chronic illnesses as to why individuals develop depression or whether the development of depression can lead to prospects of developing a

This paper introduces a 35-year-old female who is exhibiting signs of sadness, lack of interest in daily activities and suicidal tendencies. She has no interest in hobbies, which have been very important to her in the past. Her lack of ambition and her suicidal tendencies are causing great concern for her family members. She is also exhibiting signs of hypersomnia, which will put her in dangerous situations if left untreated. The family has great concern about her leaving the hospital at this time, fearing that she may be a danger to herself. A treatment plan and ethical considerations will be discussed.

The severity of depression has been supported through scientific evidence that indicates that depression has a biological basis in the brain of a depressed person along with psychological and social implications. Whilst there are many catalysts in a person’s life that can be identified as a possible root cause of depression, such as stressful life events or the death of a loved one, the issue is far more complex, as the biological triggers of depression are not as easily expressed, such as faulty mood regulation in the brain, vulnerable genetics in the DNA, and other medical problems. Many things are altered in the brain of the depressed person. Firstly, what most understand to be an imbalance in the levels of chemicals that regulate emotions, is in reality far more elaborate. The true issue surrounding the many chemicals involved inside and outside of the nerve cells that undergo numerous chemical reaction which make up the dynamic system that is responsible for mood, perceptions, and the way one experiences life you experiences life can be altered in different ways that affect how one lives. Along with the brains chemicals, the connections between nerve cells called neurons decrease and deteriorate, meaning the

Over the years, people have argued and discussed about what could be possible causes of depression. Some experts believe that a person’s genes could be a determinative of whether he or she is inclined or genetically predisposed, to depression. Experts point it to the fact that depressive genes could run in families. Other specialists lessen the role of the person’s genetic, arguing that depression is generally caused by stress, trauma, or physical or mental illness.