Sociological Aspects Of Depression

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

When most people hear the phrase “The Great Depression” they only associate it the crash of the stock market and the hard times that followed. Here in the Midwest, when we think of the Great Depression we also think of the Dust Bowl and the Dirty Thirties. The Great Depression was a very climactic end to a series of poor choices that greatly affected the entire United States.

Depression is a common and serious mood disorder. It’s more than just feeling down or sad in response to life’s struggles and setbacks, depression causes people to lose pleasure from daily life, can increase the risk of many health problems, and can even be serious enough to lead to suicide. The disease must be given more attention and treated as a global public health priority. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 7.6 percent of people over the age of 12 have depression in any 2-week period. Depression is also the second most common cause of disability worldwide after back pain,according to a review of research.

However, with changes in society it has come to describe those who suffer from pervasive lowering of mood preventing them from living a normal life. Conditions range from person to person. It may vary from mild, brief occasional dips in a person's mood to a severe lifelong persistence in extensive depressive episodes characterizing a person with intense feelings of self-worthlessness. Overall depression is a very common mental health disorder, however it is still highly misunderstood. This disorder is seen to be “one of the greatest, if not the greatest disease burden of the twenty first century”. (Mulholland.1) As this disorder brings distress to millions of households across the nation, it is frequently misdiagnosed or simply not seen as an issue of concern at all. Leading to “a great deal of suffering and a substantial number of deaths”. (Mulholland.1) Alas, the condition sadly evokes a lot of stigma. The lack of personal experience and knowledge residing with most people causes feelings of superiority in those who the condition does not affect. This causes tears in the social fabric and worsens things for those that do have

Also research supports that ongoing stress impairs the growth of the nerve cell in the hippocampus. The amygdala is associated with emotions mainly fear and anger. With depressed individuals, a variety of scans show the amygdala to be very active and there is an increase in activity when the person is saddened or depressed. Even after affected people recovery, the increased activity in the amygdala is still present for a period of time. Another area of the body that research has determined plays a role with the development of depression is the endocrine system. The endocrine system is made up of small glands which are responsible for producing hormones and to release them into the bloodstream. The hormonal levels are keep constant and avoid

Three myths about depression include that antidepressants are the only thing you need to cure depression, that men do not get depression, and that it is not a real illness. Some people believe that an antidepressant can cure depression and that they could simply take a pill and feel better within hours ("10 Depression Myths"). Unfortunately, this is not the case because depression affects every person differently, so it may not have the same effect on two different people ("10 Depression Myths"). Also, people that take antidepressants will not experience the effects for at least six weeks as the body adapts to the changes ("10 Depression Myths"). This is important to know because many people will take antidepressants and not see a result quickly,

Roughly twenty million people in the United States suffer from depression. Depression is defined as a mental illness which leads to feeling sad, having trouble thinking and concentrating, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, decreased energy, and having a decreased amount of interest in most activities. Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses to be diagnosed in the United States. The mental illness can affect anyone regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic standing.

In America, only 50% of people with major depressive disorder seek treatment for their illness (Holmes). Just as many people avoid seeing a physician, people will avoid facing mental health because of the fear that something is wrong. Through stigmas created in society, mental illness is viewed as unnatural, and having a therapist or taking medication is the easy way out. Many articles and books may offer help for surviving the difficult times in one’s life, but if the person in question is suffering from mental illness, advice can often do more harm than good. In the Power of Now, Eckart Tolle represents mental illness as a

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 a condition that affects people more primarily in the work force, it lasts forever if untreated. In the United States those with depression are “two times to three times more likely to be unemployed, and their employment rate is 15 percentage points lower than for those without depression” (by Christopher Prinz from PBS Newshour). It is not easy for someone with depression or any mental illness to apply for jobs or get interviewed. I believe that people, especially in the work force always see you as weak minded if knowing about the depression. Look at it this way, a job is rarely understanding when it comes a mental illness, just like a therapist or physciatrist when it comes to the workforce, they want you to be happy and healthy

“Americans are more depressed today than in the 1980’s “ (Jean M. Twenge). Depression affects the lives of millions of Americans across the nation.

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.

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.

feelings can linger for years. Depression is a social disorder characterized by a depressed mood

Depression is more than just a feeling of sadness; it can easily gain control of an individual’s life if these feelings continue.