Depression: Understanding the Facts, Essay Example

Introduction

Millions of Americans suffer from depression. Element of emotional downfall is often defined as a form of mental illness (Ladouceur, et al, 2004). This illness can affect the victim’s ability to reason and make daily decisions rendering them unable to cope with day to day living (Wlaker, et al, 2008). In some cases, the victims of depression end up hurting themselves either intentionally, or through neglect of the necessities. They are often unable to address daily needs of feeding, bathing, and clothing themselves. Nevertheless, so many make false claims that they will hurt themselves and others. Studies have shown that depression is also a side effect of prolonged drug and alcohol dependency. Likewise, drug and alcohol use can be the result of many mental illnesses. In other words, many victims turn to drugs and alcohol trying to cope with the effects of the depression. Nevertheless, many people suffer from mental illness or depression and are unaware of their illness.

Famous people are not immune to mental illness and depression either. Brooke Shields opened up about her bout with postpartum depression in her book, Down Came the Rain. She has been quoted saying, “I really didn’t want to live anymore.” She expressed how she felt each time she saw a window saying she often thought of just jumping from the fourth floor of her Manhattan apartment (Sleath, et al, 2005). Depression leads to more than 850, 000 fatalities each year in the United States (Ladouceur, et al, 2004). Depression is a multi-symptom that causes both behavioral and emotional disorder; therefore there is no one sure way to treat the illness.

What is Depression?

Depression is defined as feelings of unbearable misery and despair that persists for extended periods of time (Ladouceur, et al, 2004). Sadly, more than 50 percent of people suffering from symptom of depression never seek help (Who, 2011 ). This persistent sadness affects every aspect of the victims’ life. This interference affects the victims’ social life, work, family, and in some cases the person’s personal hygiene habits. Depression is comprised of one or more of the following symptoms: loss of interest in things they once enjoyed, insomnia, suicidal thoughts, excessive sleep, reduced sexual desire, anxiety, irritability, constant worry, and lack of motivation. People suffering from mental illness also experience physical symptoms. Some physical symptoms they may experience are: body aches and pains, loss or increase of appetite, excessive weight gain or loss, slurred speech, and lack of energy (Walker, et al, 2008).

Depression & Anxiety

 People suffering from depression also often suffer from anxiety attacks. These anxiety attacks can be brought on by social interactions and other daily life interactions (Pollack, 1998). As a result, many people suffering from depression and anxiety often avoid social situations, quit their jobs, cut off contact with family and friends, or become completely reclusive (Ladouceur, et al, 2004). In most cases depression and anxiety co-exist in the victim. Panic attacks are reactions to the symptoms the victims are feeling due to the depression (Pollak, 1998). There are several types of anxiety disorders, but generalized anxiety is the most common suffered by victims of depression. The victims feel a sense of fear about facing certain situations. They may experience pounding heart rates, shaky or sweaty hands, chest pains, and constant headaches when facing stressful situations.

Treating Depression with Cognitive Behavior Therapy

 Cognitive Behavior Therapy may be beneficial in helping victims suffering from depression because it helps the client change or alter their thought process. This type of therapy helps the victim face issues that are causing symptoms of depression. When this type of therapy is used, clients are able to reduce the anxiety and depression they feel due to traumatic events in their lives.  For example,

“CBT is arguably the most widely studied form of psychotherapy. We identified 269 meta-analytic reviews that examined CBT for a variety of problems, including substance use disorder, schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, depression and dysthymia, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, somatoform disorders, eating disorders, insomnia, personality disorders, anger and aggression, criminal behaviors, general stress, distress due to general medical conditions, chronic pain and fatigue, distress related to pregnancy complications and female hormonal conditions”(Ladouceur, et al, 2004   ).

This type of treatment is brief and helps the clients by assisting them to focus on the happiness within their lives prior to the traumatic issue. The client sets goals and attempts to gradually find happiness in life again. One study conducted on clients who were suffering from depression due to traumatic situations found that nearly 86 percent of the clients responded favorably to CBT (Pollak, 1998). The study was conducted on women who had been the victims of sexual battery and/or spousal abuse (Ladouceur, et al, 2004).  Nevertheless, this type of therapy may not be as beneficial to those suffering from clinical depression or depression brought on by a chemical imbalance because their depression will not be affected by behavior and thinking process. In these cases, there are particular medical substances that could help ease out the situation; proper diagnosis first needs to be completed before the right type of medicine could be assumed and assured at the same time.

Conclusions

 Cognitive Behavior therapy is new to the mental health field, but it has been documented with great success. This type of therapy has been very effective in depression brought on by traumatic experiences. It teaches the victim how to alter behaviors and thinking processes. Many clients like this therapy because the therapist does not question the client about past events, but focuses more on the issue at hand and how to correct it. More importantly, the client is in control of the therapy. The client identifies what they believe has brought on the depression. The client and practitioner complete cognitive rehearsals that allow the client to practice handling situations that may bring on depression or anxiety attacks. These techniques give clients the mental tools to handle situations in the future.

Overall, it could be understood that untreated depression may cause even further problems; nonetheless, noticing it and becoming more involved in determining its causes and its effects on a person would be a better source of solution. Individuals wanting to embrace a better sense of themselves are likely to take on the challenge of dealing with depression and accepting as much assistance as needed. The people surrounding depressed individuals would help well in easing out the effects of the said mental ailment and physical imbalance.

References

Ladouceur, R., Leger, E., Duggas, M., & Freeston, M. H. (2004). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) for older adults. International Psychogeriatrics, 16 (2), 195-207.

Pollack, M. H. (1998).  Rate of improvement during cognitive-behavioral group treatment for panic disorder.  Behaviour Research and Therapy, 36, 665-673.

Sleath, B., West, S., Tudor, G., Perreira, K., King, V. & Morrissey, J. (2005). Ethnicity and depression treatment preferences of pregnant women. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology, 26(2), 135-140.

Walker, R.L., Wingate, L.R., Obasi, E.M., & Joiner Jr., T.E., (2008). An empirical investigation of acculturative stress and ethnic identity as moderators for depression and suicidal ideation in college students. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 14(1), 75-82.

WHO | depression. World Health Organization. 2011 [cited 2011 Apr 29]. Available from: http://www.who.int/mental_health/management/depression/definition/en/.