Depression Essay Research Paper DepressionImagine living with

Depression Essay, Research Paper

Depression:

Imagine living with the most common and most painful mental illness (Blackman 89). You wouldn’t be able to do your work or get along with anyone. This disease is depression; this paper will discuss facts about depression, signs and symptoms, different types, medication and therapy.

Depression is a persistent feeling of sadness, despair and discouragement that last over a long period of time (Salmans 171). Depression affects a person’s mood, thoughts, body, and behavior (Lytle). A number of factors, both biochemical and psychosocial, combine to bring on this horrible disease (Salmans 41). The biggest factor is that neurotransmitters become inactive (Stewart 8).

Unfortunately, only 20% of all depressed people actually get help (Stewart 11). Fortunately though, 85% of all depressed people that do get help can be helped to a significant degree (Salmans 75). Finally, in 1970, they saw depression as a disorder in young peoples (Stewart 8). Even babies can become depressed if they’re neglected. Many young people that suffer from depression turn to suicide.

5,000 young people take their lives each year (Stewart 9). The rate of suicide dealing with teenagers, 15-19, has tripled in the past 30 years (Salmans 40). Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among older teens (Stewart 9). Depression isn’t the only reason for suicide though.

Depression has many effects on a person, both physically and mentally. Restlessness, irritability, frequent crying, and change in behavior are all common signs (Kist 26). Chronic aches and pains, such as headaches or stomachaches and other digestive problems that don’t get better with treatment are symptoms too.

Ones sleeping may be altered. A person could have difficulty falling asleep, or getting up too early in the morning, or oversleeping (Kist 26). A big problem depressed people feel is a lost in interest. A person will stop doing activities they used to enjoy (Kist 26).

Depression affects one’s mental life too. People start to feel worthless, guilty, sad, and empty for a long time (Kist 26). This disease can get people to think of death or suicide, some even go to the extent of attempting to take their lives. A person’s memory can even be affected. Depression brings on poor concentration or inability to think and make decisions (Kist 26).

Depression comes in many different types: major, manic and dysthymia are a few. A chronic physical illness, drug habit, death of a loved one, or a problem in a marriage cause major depression. Even though most with major depression will recover, half will suffer another episode (Hales 38). People with severe cases of major depression can’t work, study, or interact and eventually can’t feed, clothe or clean themselves (Hales 38). In the United States 9%-26% of women and 5%-12% of men suffer from this type (Hales 38).

Manic depression is a type of depression that goes from a person being extremely happy and then becoming severely depressed (Olshan 107). Being in a depressed state can be life threatening. People suffering from manic depression show many symptoms. A few major ones are hyperactivity, talking fast, inability, fear of dying, and jumping from one topic to another during a conversation (Olshan 39).

Another type of depression is dysthymia. Dysthymia is a disorder that begins in childhood (Blackman 92). People suffering from this type often go on to develop severe depression. Unfortunately, dysthymia is linked to other problems such as, anorexia, drug abuse, and anxiety (Hales 40). Children and teens with hyperactivity, conduct disorders, mental retardation, development problems or parents that abuse them are more susceptible to have dysthymia (Hales 40). Young people’s relationship with peers and adults will even be affected. Dysthymia is a prolonged sadness for at least two years without any change in a person’s mood (Hales 39). Poor eating or over eating and low energy and low self-esteem are signs one’s suffering from dysthymia.

Depression can be helped with anti-depressants. The three main categories of anti-depressants are tricyclics (TCA’s), monoamine oxiduse inhibitors (MAOI’s), and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s). TCA’s raise the level of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain (Salmans 126). They slow the rate of absorption by the nerve cells (Salmans 126). TCA’s have been prescribed since the 1950’s (Salmans 126). Tricyclics are made up of a triple carbon ring (Salmans 126). The most popular brand names of TCA’s are Imipramine (Tofranil), Amutruptyline (Elaurl), and Nortriptyline (Pamelor) (Salmans 126).

Side affects vary person to person. If they are taken at high doses, TCA’s can be lethal. TCA’s are the leading cause of death by a drug overdose in the United States (Salmans 127). People with heart diseases shouldn’t take TCA’s (Salmans 128). Also, people taking thyroid supplements, antihypertension medication, oral contraceptives, antihistamines, or aspirin should avoid TCA’s (Salmans 128).

When people with depression don’t respond to tricyclics, they are prescribed MAOI’s. The three leading brand names are Phenelzine (Nardil), Tranylcypromine (Darnate), and Isocarboxazid (Marplan) (Salmans 129). Monoamine oxiduse inhibitors, inhibit monoamine oxiduse, which is an enzyme that destroys neurotransmitters in the br