Essay: Depression: risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

The world is a continuously developing place that us humans are required to live in. The human race is filled with different struggles in our day to day life that can bring us to the end of our wit. We all have good and bad days, however facing a struggle at some point in our life is inevitable. This “struggle” can either be a past event that still dwells deep inside, or something that is continuous that successfully holds onto your soul and holds you back from succeeding in life. Throughout trying to overcome this struggle, it is common for people to question “is this worth it” or even “am I worth it?” Everything described above are signs of depression. This paper will go into depth describing what depression is, the risk factors associated with developing depression, the signs and symptoms, the diagnosis and treatment process, and finally how to prevent or lessen the chances of developing depression.
Has there ever been a time where you felt a little blue or sad? If so, you are not alone because that is a quite normal feeling of being human. This well known feeling is called depression, which is a state of mental illness. Depression is identified by deep, long lasting feelings of misery and a loss of interest in many aspects of life which can negatively change someone’s thinking, feelings, as well as their social behavior. Depression is commonly referred to as the “common cold of mental disorders” which means that nearly everyone will be indirectly or directly affected by depression in their life. Between the ages of 15 and 30 is when depression can begin to affect someone, however women are about twice as likely to suffer from depression than men. Women’s hormones are the largest reason as to why depression is more prevalent in women than men. Due to women’s menstrual cycles being linked to mood disorders, it points to a relationship between female sex hormones and mood. Despite menopause being deemed as a time when depression risk declines for women, the perimenopausal period is when there is an increased risk of depression for women who have a history of depression. In addition to Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder there are several other types of depression. Examples include Major Depression, Psychotic Depression, and Dysthymia. One of the most severe types of depression is Major Depression, which is a change in mood that typically lasts for weeks or months. Another severe form of depression is known as Psychotic Depression. Psychotic Depression is associated with hallucinations and delusions, which are false feelings and visions. Unlike Major Depression, Dysthymia, also known as Chronic Depression, is a less severe form but lasts for several years. In summary, depression is a mental illness more common amongst women than men and can have very negative effects on a person’s life.
There are some people in this world who hardly ever feel blue and others who fold at the slightest hint of misfortune. Have you ever speculated as to why some people get depressed, but others do not? Depression results from a combination of genetic vulnerability, recent and long-term events, and environmental elements. Everyone is different meaning people will suffer from a different combination of factors that contribute to developing depression. Continuing difficulties that can result in depression include long-term unemployment, enduring an abusive or uncaring relationship, long periods of loneliness, and prolonged stress due to work. These difficulties are more likely to cause an individual to suffer from depression than recent life events. With that being said, it is possible for recent events to trigger the development of depression if it runs in your family or have a history of bad experiences with depression. There are common risk factors for developing depression that can make an individual more susceptible to depression, including genetics, hormones, stress, pain and illness, sexuality, childhood trauma, loss of a family member, and drug abuse. The biggest and most common risk for depression is genetics, or family history. Relatives with a history of depression, alcoholism, suicide, or bipolar disorder are conditions that can be passed down from generation to generation. However, having a parent that suffers from depression does not mean you will have a similar experience with depression. The second common risk for depression is hormones because there are certain changes that can happen to a females hormonal balance that can result in a women becoming depressed. For example, women endure significant hormonal changes during pregnancy as well as after childbirth. This type of depression is known as Postpartum Depression and can only affect women. Another risk for depression development is stress. When a body experiences stress and has its cortisol levels rise, there is a probability for the transmission of serotonin to be negatively affected. This process can result in depression. Getting married, losing a job, and studying for a final exam are all different types of major life events that can create stress. Just like bad events, good events can also result in stress. Pain and illness are associated to depression in similar way hormones can in regards to biochemical changes. An illness itself can create biochemical changes that can lead to depression symptoms. Additionally, people suffering from an illness can become depressed about their health as they endure pain, loss of bodily functions and even if they face the chance of dying due to their illness. Cancer, heart diseases, and strokes are illustrations of chronic illnesses. There are loads of stress and worry associated with coping with an illness, especially if there is long-term management or chronic pain that come with the illness. In regards to sexuality, individuals identifying as lesbian, gay, or bisexual mean they have a diversity of genital organs that are not distinctly male or female. It is common for people who struggle with their sexual identity to have unsupportive friends and family, which ultimately leads to depression. Early trauma and abuse is unfortunately another common risk for depression. People that endured any past physical, emotional, or sexual abuse during their youth are more susceptible to depression later in life. Grief and sadness are normal feelings of being human. However, feeling worthless or even suicidal thoughts due to big stresses can make a person develop serious symptoms of depression. The death of a family member or a friend can be enough to trigger depression in someone who already attains other risk factors of depression, most common being from genetics. The final risk factor for developing depression is drug abuse. There are prescription medications and specific illegal drugs that can cause depression symptoms to arise. It is very common for people to treat depression by self-medicating but that can easily lead to substance abuse and making depression worse. Research shows that many people that suffer from depression is due to their abuse of drugs and alcohol. In summary, there are several different risk factors associated with developing depression. The nature of depression is that the people affected fail to realize they are depressed therefore meaning they are unlikely to seek help. Depression is not only a burden of disease to the people suffering from it but also for their family, friends, and society as a whole.
Depression is a very common mental illness characterized by many signs and symptoms. This illness typically occurs in result of detrimental life events, but can also occur due to no apparent cause. A person who is depressed has a persistent anxious, sad, or “empty” mood with feelings of guilt or hopelessness that lasts almost every day for weeks. Depression affects a person’s behavior, feelings, thoughts, and can physically affect their body. Examples of the effect depression has on behavior include failing to go to school or work, withdrawing from close friends and family, relying on drugs and alcohol, refusing to get out of the house, and having difficulty concentrating, remembering and making decisions. Additionally, depressed individuals begin to experience a loss of interest or pleasure in activities they used to find enjoyment in. In regards to feelings, depressed people experience feelings of being overwhelmed, guilty, disappointment, and lack of confidence. Feelings of restlessness and irritability are the most common among the depressed. Thoughts of suicide is unfortunately very common in the minds of people suffering from depression. In addition to suicidal thoughts, there are also thoughts of being a failure, life not being worth living, people being better off living without me, that everything is their fault, and nothing good ever happens to them. Thoughts like these are what impair an individual’s ability and interest to take care of their everyday responsibilities. The final affect depression can have on someone is through enduring physical symptoms. It is very common for depressed individuals to either have insomnia, constantly be awakening early in the morning, or oversleeping. Examples of more physical symptoms from depression are being constantly tired, loss or change of appetite, significant weight loss or gain, sick and run down, and headaches or muscle pains. With all of that being said, not every person who is depressed will experience all of these symptoms. Some only endure a few symptoms, while others can experience nearly all symptoms. With that being said, depression symptoms can vary depending on the severity of this mental illness.
Depression cannot be diagnosed through a lab text or X-ray, instead it is diagnosed by doctors asking questions about your feelings and behavior. Doctors must hear about specific symptoms of depression in order to effectively diagnose a patient with depression. The process of depression diagnosis can be quite simple. The doctor beings by doing a physical examination, personal interview, and then lab tests in order to rule out other conditions that may cause depression. A physical examination is done because it will reveal the patient’s state of health and, by talking to the patient, the doctor can learn about new events that are relevant to making a depression diagnosis. Lab tests are also taken because clinical depression normally occurs alongside other medical illnesses. The doctor will also complete a diagnostic evaluation which is where you discuss any family history of depression or mental illnesses. Next, the doctor will assess your symptoms by asking how long you have had them for and when you think they began. In order to be diagnosed with major depression, the patient must have at least five of the symptoms associated with depression while having at least one of the first two symptoms being present nearly every day for at least two weeks. One of the first two symptoms must be either depressed mood or loss of interest and enjoyment. Symptoms of depression can last for weeks and upwards to years. A person that has one or more major depressive episodes is diagnosed as having Major Depressive Disorder, or MDD. What happens in a Major Depressive episode is that symptoms are present throughout most of the day and nearly every day at least two weeks. In very severe cases, individuals that suffer from this mental illness may be unable to eat, get out of bed, or maintain their hygiene. Also, some symptoms can be extremely disabling and interfere with a person’s ability to function.
All mental illnesses and mood disorders are treatable, with each condition requiring a different treatment approach. The first choice for treating depression are antidepressant medication. The most common type of antidepressants are known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, or SSRIs. They are the most popular because they are very effective and have fewer side effects than other antidepressants. The main purpose of antidepressants is to improve the way the brain uses certain chemicals that control mood or stress. It is common for depressed patients to test out different antidepressant medication before finding the one that works best for them. The best way to know when you found the right medication is when there are noticeable improvements in your symptoms and has manageable side effects. Antidepressants often take 2 to 4 weeks to work. Before you notice a mood change, symptoms such as sleep, appetite, and concentration issues improve so it is important to give a medication a chance before concluding it does not work for you. The most important part about treating depression with antidepressants is to not stop taking them without consulting a doctor first. For some people, if they decide to stop taking the medication their depression returns and worsens. A doctor will slowly decrease the dosage over the course of 6 to 12 months because stopping them abruptly will cause the body to experience withdrawal symptoms. Despite there being several positives that come out of taking antidepressants there has been one potential downside. There have been cases of patients under the age of 25 who have experiences an increase of suicidal thoughts and behaviors while taking antidepressants. These situations are not very common but is a risk that people suffering from depression should take into account when considering antidepressants as their treatment method. This is a warning from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, that states every patient regardless of their age should be closely monitored during the first few weeks of treatment. Psychotherapy is another method that can offer useful treatment for depression. Psychotherapy, also referred to as talk therapy, is another very common method especially when combined with antidepressant therapy. There are several types of psychotherapy, examples include Cognitive-Behavioral therapy (CBT), Interpersonal therapy (IPT), and Problem-Solving therapy. Psychological therapy helps regulate moods and with effective treatment, it can stimulate new nerve cell growth to assist in regulating moods. If antidepressants or psychotherapy do not reduce depression symptoms, Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) or other stimulation of the brain therapies are options one should explore. ECT provides relief to people suffering from severe depression who were not successfully treated by medication or psychotherapy. Many people tend to believe this method of treatment is painful, however it is not because you cannot feel the electrical impulses. Prior to ECT treatment, the patient is given anesthesia as well as a muscle relaxant. The procedure itself only takes a few minutes and the patient will awaken within one hour after the treatment session. It is important to remember that depression does not affect everyone the same and there is no “one size fits all” treatment method. It will take some trial and error to find the treatment that works best for you. Depression, no matter how severe the case can be treated. The best thing to do is to recognize the signs and symptoms for depression and seek help. The sooner treatment can begin the more effective it is.
There are several techniques you can use to change your lifestyle and manage stress to avoid depression. Even though the triggers that can cause depressive episodes are different for every individual, there are some universal preventative measures that can work for anyone suffering from depression. These measures include regular exercise, a healthy diet, stable relationships, an adequate amount of sleep, limited time spent on social media, and minimal drug and alcohol use. All of these techniques are helpful in sustaining a low stress level which reduces the possibility of depression. Exercising regularly is one of, if not the, most beneficial things you can do for your mental health. Exercise helps in the prevention of depression in three key ways. First, exercise increases the body temperature which has a calming effect on the central nervous system. Second, it releases endorphins which are chemicals that improve mood. Finally, exercise reduces chemicals in the immune system that are known to worsen depression. There are many kinds of physical exercise that help prevent depression, but exercising regularly is the most effective treatment for depression. Another preventative measure for depression is maintaining a healthy diet. There have been studies done that have proven regularly consuming a diet with high-fat has similar effects as chronic stress in terms of causing depression. Additionally, an unhealthy diet deprives the body of vital nutrients it needs to maintain mental and physical health. In order to prevent depression through maintaining a healthy diet, there are four guidelines you should follow. First being that your meals should have lean protein with fruits and vegetables. Second, make sure to cut out foods with high-sugar and high-fat. Third, eliminate as many processed food as possible. Finally, do your best to incorporate foods with Omega-3’s, which are salmon and nuts. In addition to maintaining a healthy diet in order to prevent depression, building strong and stable relationships is very important for our mental health. Research has shown that attaining even an “adequate” social support can help prevent depression. Attending social events as often as you can where you can meet new people and build new relationships is necessary to maintain a healthy mental state. Getting a healthy amount of sleep is necessary for both mental and physical health. There have been sleep studies that have proven people with insomnia tend to have a higher risk for developing depression than those who sleep well. Some tips to get better sleep include not looking at any screens at least two hours before bed, mediating prior to sleeping, having a comfortable mattress, and avoiding any caffeine after noon. There have been several studies done on how social media negatively affects an individual’s elf esteem. Decreasing time spent on social media is a given for preventing depression. Social media can be addicting but it is not a necessity. In order to limit time spent on social media, you can delete all social apps on your phone, use website-blocking extensions that only permit a certain amount of time spent on certain websites, and only having a purpose to go onto social media instead of using it because of boredom. The final way to prevent depression is to reduce drug and alcohol use. Excessive use of these substances are not only associated with higher risks of depression, but higher risks of depression relapse. Limiting alcohol intake while eliminating any drug use is your best bet for preventing depression. Despite limiting alcohol being difficult in some social situations, there are ways you can persevere. When it’s happy hour, you can order an appetizer and straight cranberry juice instead of an alcoholic beverage. You can also plan and invite friends to events where alcohol is not provided. Most people think preventing depression is out of their hands, but clearly it is not. All of the effort put in these areas add up and make it more difficult to develop depression.
Depression is a serious mental illness that patients, myself included, should not be ashamed about. Unfortunately, there is a stigma around depression that makes it seems like it is different from other mental illnesses due to the negative nature of the illness that makes individuals suffering from depression unattractive. I personally suffered trauma from an something that occurred 2 years ago and have recently been diagnosed with severe depression. When this event happened I personally ignored many of the warning signs that I am or going to suffer from depression but luckily my parents noticed and took action. I began seeing a therapist and eventually she suggested I need to begin antidepressant medication. I had to try several different medication before finding the one that works for me, but at the time I did not understand why I had to do that. The information I found perfectly explained why my experience with depression has been the way it has been. I have always known exercise can help prevent depression but I was not aware of the the importance of a healthy diet and stable relationships. The reason why I chose to research depression was so the information I found could impact my own life because I have always been curious about the mental illness itself. In summary, depression is one of the most commonly unrecognized, undiagnosed, and untreated mental illness. If you or a loved one suffers from depression, make sure they seek help because if left untreated it can result in morbidity and mortality. It is very important to recognize the signs and symptoms and to be educated on how depression can affect someone. Do not be afraid to seek help since you should always put you and your mental health first!