Depression, Research Paper Example

The thesis statement of this paper is that depression is a widespread devastating problem.

“As many as 35 million Americans are affected by depression during their lifetimes. This number is alarming, especially when you consider that some depressive conditions are hereditary, which means that we are passing this sad legacy onto our…” (eHow). These people are not only hurting in various ways, but their depression is affecting negatively those with whom they come in contact, with the result that they hurt as well. This is likely why one cannot help but see and hear the slogan, “Depression Hurts” several times a day. It appears on many TV channels and websites (in fact, it even has its own website), in various type of print, and in conversations. This student, although not suffering from depression, has seen at fairly close range just how much depression really does hurt.

There are two types of depression that are “widely recognized, share a number of symptoms, and have similar causes” (ibid.). They are major depression and dysthymia. The latter is a lower level depression, but has more chronic symptoms than the former. It lasts for at least two years and has at least two symptoms of the major depression, which can be any two of the following; namely, “low energy, difficulty concentrating and/or making decision, irritability and/or restlessness, sleep disturbances and thoughts of suicide, hopelessness, worthlessness or guilt” (ibid.). Depression is probably a “combination of genetic, biological and environment factors such as family dynamics, poverty or divorce” (ibid.).

Young children can also get major depression; and if there has been a major change in the home where the stress level goes up very high, then that is the place to look for what is causing the problem. In the video, Depression at a Young Age ,two children are interviewed—Adam 12 and Michelle 18, who both have depression. Adam’s depression began when he was 10, became suicidal and had to be hospitalized, while Michelle has had hers for many years. Unlike Adam, Michelle did not become suicidal, but became belligerent, got into fights, received poor grades, yelled, screamed and cussed. The female speaker in the video says that “the usual treatments for children and adolescents are psychotherapy, family therapy, verbal behavior therapy, and occasionally medication” (ibid.), which is in line with what this student happened to hear this evening on a television news broadcast. Medication is a sort of last resort, which is a little puzzling to this student who thinks that if, as already stated, depression is a combination of genetic, biological and environment factors, then medication would take priority over counselling in order to deal with the first two factors. Furthermore, since depression is hereditary (eHow), other members of the family may also suffer from depression, thereby fostering a depressive home environment and reinforcing that behavior. It is important to remember that depression has many faces. For example, it is one side of Bipolar Disorder, it is part of a Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and it manifests itself in Postpartum Depression (HelpGuide.Org). In conclusion, this student agrees that depression is a huge—likely even under-reported—problem that can have deadly consequences; and, therefore, deserves even more attention from helping professionals, families, and friends than it is currently receiving.

Works Cited

Depression at a Young Age: Healthline Health and Wellness Videos. Retrieved on February 24, 2012, from http://www.ask.com/health/hlvideo-5min/depression-at-a-young-age-2.

Hajdo, D. (2012, February 16. What is Depression? Retrieved on February 24, 2012, from http://www.ehow.com/facts_5523616_depression.html?ref=Track2&utm_.

Help Guide.Org. Understanding Depression: Signs, Symptoms, Causes, and Help. Retrieved on February 24, 2012, from http://helpguide.org/mental/depression_signs_types_diagnosis_treatment.