Therapy For Clinical Depression

Depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders, preventing the patient from performing the normal social and employment functions, and characterized by an elevated societal cost. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the hippocampus (HIP) have received the most attention in animal research on depression and antidepressant therapy. Moreover, other sub-cortical areas involved in the acquisition and expression of emotions and motivated behavior such as the bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNST) have been suggested to play a role in the onset of depression-related disorders.

If you ask any current college student how their experience at school is going, you are likely to hear about the struggles they face with heavy course materials, difficult exams, and other criticisms about being a student. With that, college students are put under so much pressure that some may not be able to mentally stay on their game and may develop depression and anxiety as a cause of this crazy lifestyle. “Researchers have reported that almost half of college-aged individuals may experience mental health problems” (Jennings). When it comes to receiving help for these developing mental illnesses most universities offer a variety of resources to help students better themselves. These medical resources

In order to be clinically diagnosed with depression, the patient must have exhibited this feeling as well as a number of symptoms for a period of at least two weeks. Currently it is estimated that approximately 85% of those affected can be successfully treated by a physician (Holtz, Stokes, 1138).

For clinical depression, you must have five or more of the following symptoms over a two-week period, most of the day, nearly every day. At least one of the symptoms must be either a depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure. Signs and symptoms may include:

Also called clinical depression, is a mood disorder characterized by a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Depression affects how the patient feels, thinks and behaves and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical effects. Patients diagnosed with depression may have trouble doing day to day activities or may feel as if life is not worth living. Depression is diagnosed when a patient experiences severe symptoms that interfere with his/her to work, sleep, study, eat and enjoy life. An episode of depression can occur only once in a patient’s lifetime, but more often than not, a patient will experience several episodes.

In today’s society, ‘depression’ has become a broad term that often gets thrown around in multiple different contexts. However, depression is a serious concern that is diagnosable and can lead to several complications. In 2011, it was found that while 10.7 percent of U.S. college students were diagnosed or treated for depression, up to 50 percent of college students are vulnerable to developing symptoms of depression while attending school (Egbert, Miraldi, & Murniadi 460). Although depression has remained a concern among mental health professionals for decades, there is still a lot to learn about how to treat and prevent this illness.

I was shocked to hear that 8 out of the 10 freshmen I surveyed admitted to showing symptoms or suffering from depression. Many college freshmen tend to suffer from depression and don’t even know it or they just won’t admit it. They often turn to drugs and alcohol to deal with their problems. Unfortunately, they don’t realize that drugs only provide a temporary high and alcohol is a depressant which only makes the situation worsen. Take Leavenworth College Senior Melissa Farr who has been suffering from depression on and off her entire college career. Farr had a tough time settling in with roommates, broke up with her boyfriend of three years and was experiencing hormone problems. She stated “For the longest time I was just kind of naïve and sugarcoating everything and not wanting to say ‘Look, cut the crap; there’s something wrong.” Sadly, the problem is there are many students who are either ashamed or don’t want to admit that they have a problem; and Like Melissa they too tell themselves they are perfectly fine and continue to allow the problem to worsen. The most common danger of untreated depression is suicide. According to Eleanor H. Ayer’s novel Every Thing You Need to Know about Depression, approximately 15% of depression patients will commit suicide. Another danger is the possibility of developing and addiction to drugs and alcohol; because most

Recently, critics have questioned the ability of SSRIs to reduce the symptoms of clinical depression. Dr. Hieronymous and his researchers believe high rates of unsuccessful clinical trials additionally fuel negative critiques. The team from University of Gothenburg, Department of pharmacology set out to investigate 32 past trials concerning new medications- many containing similar compounds to those found in common market SSRIs such as Paxil, Prozac, Celexa, and Zoloft. Greater than half of the company-sponsored SSRI trials, using common test protocols, demonstrated significant depression relief regarding active drug versus placebo groups. Their resulting data points out possible depression measuring defects as a possible source of trial failure, rather than solely SSRI drug ineffectiveness.

College can be one of the most exciting and rewarding milestones in a lifetime, it is a transition to something new. You are preparing for the future and making the change into adulthood. Although, it you are prone to new experiences and somewhat a new life it may also be very challenging. It can also be a very testing time for students, especially those who may be at risk of developing or have already been diagnosed with a mental illness (College Depression). The onset of depressive illnesses tends tend to begin between the ages fifteen and twenty four; just as academic pressures are starting to become more prevalent. During this time students are also adjusting emotionally to complex life changes (Depression in College Students).

Over the last two decades, there has been a major increase in students dealing with mental health issues. This trend began in the mid-1990’s when higher educational institutions’ counseling centers began to see an increase in the needs of students with severe psychological problem, and mental health issues continue to climb. According to the American Psychological Association website (2016), “The most common of these disorders are depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, alcohol abuse, eating disorders, and self-injury”. In 2010, the APA conducted two surveys one by the National Survey of Counseling Center Directors and the other by American College Health Association. In the survey of directors “44 percent of [respondents had] clients [with] severe psychological problems, a sharp increase from 16 percent in 2000, [and in the student survey] 45.6 percent of students surveyed reported feeling that things were hopeless and 30.7 percent reported feeling so depressed that it was difficult to function during the past 12 months” (SmulsonAPA, 2016, p.

At first glance, one might say that the main concerns college students face today are financial difficulties and lack of sleep. But upon closer inspection the main predicament comes into focus; mental illness. Mental illnesses detriment students immensely, with about ninety-two percent of college students suffering from some form of mental illness. The two most common occurring mental illnesses are depression and anxiety disorders. Nearly twenty-seven percent of students experience some form of depression, which takes away all motivation to work hard and achieve. Anxiety disorders range in form, but about eleven percent of students deal with some form of a nervous disorder (Speak). One would assume universities would provide services to assist their students. However, that is not the case. While there are futile attempts at treatment programs being available on campuses, many of these programs are unsafe and untrustworthy. Due to many students moving away from home for the first time, and being detached from their families, it is very important for universities to help their students because it may be the only resource available to them.

College students should seek help if they think they may be suffering from depression because the inability to function could affect their education as well as their social life. If depression is not treated, it could lead to other potential issues and behaviors, that have serious

Depression is known as a mood disorder that almost 14.8 million American adults are diagnosed with. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, “it causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working.” If someone has shown these symptoms for at least two weeks, they most likely are dealing with the dreaded depression.

Diagnostic information. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV defines depression as characterized by a state of deep sadness and loss of interest or pleasure, which lasts for at least two weeks and is present most of the day (American Psychiatric Association, 2002).

In order for a diagnosis of depression to be made, there must be a change or disturbance in mood that impairs functioning and this change must persist for no less than two weeks. Accompanying this change or disturbance in mood, at least 5 out of 9 of the following symptoms must be present: