Disorders: Depression, Research Paper Example

Introduction

A disorder in medical terms is a functional abnormality or disturbance. It is generally used by medics to refer to diseases that affect the brain. This is because disorders are caused by biological, social and psychological factors. In fact, disorders are also part of the many psychiatric conditions. In medicine, the term disorder is used to describe physical conditions which are not caused by infectious pathogens, such as organic brain syndrome. Disorders are classified into physical disorders, mental disorders, genetic disorders, functional disorders, and, emotional and behavioral disorders. Some of the most common disorders include depression, bipolar disorders and anxiety (Preston, 2004).

Depression

This is a state of low mind and aversion to activity. It is a kind of defensive mechanism. It is the state where one experiences sadness, helplessness and hopelessness. Depression may be described as being slight, mild or severe according to the stage in which it is (Preston, 2004). As the name suggests, slight depression is of no major consequence. One may be slightly depressed when he or she looses a job, a parent or a loved one. In this case the person feels tired, lonely, and restless and has difficulties in sleeping. It is reversible and does not persist for a long time. On the other hand, severe depression at times may cause suicidal feelings. One feels sad most of the time, cry for no reason looses focus become fatigued and feels worthless. Mild depression is transitional between slight depression and severe depression.

Symptoms of Depression

Various symptoms are observable in people with depression. However, the frequency, duration and degree vary depending on the person, and the stage of depression. The general symptoms include;

1. a) A person is easily angered or ho tempered,
2. b) A persistent feeling of sadness and anxiety,
3. c) Insomniac and hypersomania or changes in sleeping patterns where one may lack sleep at night or start oversleeping.
4. c) One lacks interest in every day activities.
5. d) Significant changes in weight, energy and appetite
6. e) A persistent feeling of restlessness
7. f) One lacks concentration in whatever he does.
8. g) Constant fears of failure.
9. h) One constantly complains of unexplained aches and pains.
10. i) Compulsive and obsessive disorders like chewing of fingernails.
11. j) Lack of control in one spending and eating.
12. k) One feels lonely and ignored.

It is worth noting that the above are just general symptoms of depression.in this regard, it is worth defining clinical depression.

Clinical Depression

It is a pathological process which is characterized by;

1. a) A continuous and pervasive depressed mood.
2. b) One looses interest in normal life activities.
3. c) There is increased impairment in normal functioning for example in school.
4. d) Irrational and exaggerated los of self esteem.
5. e) Increased and dramatic shift in vegetative patterns (e.g. sleep, sex, drive) and increased non specified physical complains.

Causes of Disorders

Quite a number of things lead to depression. This may include family history, being a pessimist, stress, physical and psychological disorders. However the following are the major risk factors.

-having family members or relatives who had depression.

-having a family member who died of suicide.

-loosing a job, death of a close person, and financial problems.

-Having been depressed as a child or teenager.

-Chronic illnesses like AIDS and heart disease.

-being a pessimist.

-Postpartum depression.

Biological causes of depression may include inheritance, malnutrition, hormones, drugs or alcohol use, neural transmitter malfunction among others (Goodwin & Jamison, 2007).

Correction or Treatment of Depression

Depression may be treated in two ways namely the psychotherapy treatment and medical treatment (Sachs, 2007). As we have seen, depression is caused by some factors that one can be able to avoid. If the causative agent is withdrawn, then depression eventually comes to an end. Cancelling has been used successfully as treatment against depression. This is where patients are advised to avoid the causative agents. This is what is called psychotherapy treatment. However in some cases, this method may not work. With consistent depression, medical treatment is recommended. Antidepressant medication is grouped into two groups namely the typical antidepressants and MAO inhibitors. If the clinical depression is dominated by anxiety, agitation irritability, aggression and pronounced suicidality, serotonin uptake inhibitors are used for first line treatment. If it’s characterized by apathy, low energy, anhedonia, dopamine reuptake inhibitors are used. Medication for depression may be short term or longterm.for patients with recurrent episodes, lifelong or maintenance treatment is used. To avoid chances of one having depression it is advisable to avoid the causative agents like stress among others (Preston, 2004).

Anxiety

In clinical practice, there are six anxiety disorders. As such, an acute diagnosis of the disorders is vital. They include; generalized anxiety disorder, stress related anxiety, panic disorder, social phobias, medical illnesses with anxiety symptoms and anxiety itself.

Symptoms of Anxiety

The following are the major signs of anxiety:

-One starts trembling, feeling shaky, restress and has muscle tension.

-One experiences shortened intervals of breath and smothering sensations.

-One experiences rapid heartbeat commonly called tachycardia.

-sweating and cold hands and feet

-Lightheadedness and a feeling of dizziness

-stinging of the skin commonly called paresthesias.

-Frequent diarrhea and urinating frequently.

-Derealization.

-One experiences difficulties in sleeping.

-Attention and concentration is impaired – A feeling of nervousness, edginess and tension.

Causes of Anxiety

There are numerous causes of anxiety. Some are medical while others are not. The following are believed to cause anxiety.

• a) Disorders which include the following;

-Adrenal growth (tumor)

-Uncontrolled alcoholism (tumor)

-Uncontrolled alcohol intake

-Cardiac arrhythmia

-The central nervous system degenerative disease

-The crushing’s disease

-Coronary insufficiency

-High blood sugar levels

-One is likely to have anxiety in the early stages ofMeniere’s disease.

– Para thyroid disease

-It is a premenstrual syndrome.

-Immediately after having partial complex seizures.

• b) Some drugs are also known to cause anxiety. Such drugs include;

-amphetamines

-appetite suppressants

-asthma medications

-Caffeine

-withdraw from CNS depressants

-cocaine

-nasal decongestants

-steroids

-Stimulants.

Treatment of Anxiety

Anxiety is a kind of psychological disease. Therefore, the best kind of treatment would be the one that would address the causative agents of anxiety. Avoiding the causative agents like alcoholism can help reduce or cure anxiety. Psychological cancelling would also be a good approach to curing anxiety. However, sometimes medication is used to curb anxiety (Sachs, 2007).

Medication for Anxiety

As stated earlier, there are six types of anxiety. The type of treatment will therefore depend on the type of anxiety in question. However doctors use various medicines to treat anxiety. The medication may be shorter or long-term depending on the level of medication. Generally the best method to avoid anxiety is to avoid the causative agents (Dietch, 2003).

Bipolar Disorder

This is a psychiatric diagnosis describing a type of mood disorders characterized by one or more occurrence of abnormally elevated mood .the moods are commonly referred to as mania. People with bipolar disorder also experience depressive episodes apart from the manic episodes. The episodes are separated by normal moods. This is called rapid cycling.

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

People with bipolar disorder experience abnormally elevated moods (manic or hypo manic) and depressive moods for a period of time which interferes with their functioning.

Depressive Episode

The signs of this episode include persistent feeling of sadness, anxiety, anger, loneliness, hopelessness, loss of sleep, tiredness and loss of interest even in enjoyable things; Loss of concentration, self loathing, apathy, depersonalization, loss of sexual urge, shyness, chronic pain which is unexplained, loss of motivation and suicidal urge (Goodwin& jaminson, 2007).

Manic Episode

This is characterized by a diverse period of an elevated irritable state of mood .one experiences increased energy and no need to sleep. A person’s speech is also affected the person looses concentration. His judgment is impaired and behaves abnormally like substance abuse they become aggressive and intolerant they feel out of control they now become over confidence and feel as if they own the world .in the advanced stages the person experiences psychosis or break from reality.

Causes of Bipolar Disorder

These vary between individuals. But generally they are genetic and environmental. Studies show that chromosomes and genes are related to the development of this disorder. Other causes are life events and experiences. Evidence shows that people with bipolar disorders had traumatic or abusive experiences in childhood. Researchers have also shown this could be caused by abnormalities in the structure and function of some part of the brain.

Treatment of Bipolar Disorder

A number of pharmacological and psychotherapeutic procedures are used for treatment of bipolar disorder.

Psychotherapy

This is aimed at alleviating the major symptoms, recognizing the causative agents reducing negative expressed emotional experiences in relationship and encouraging practices that lead to full recovery. This type of treatment involves psychotherapists.

Medication

This is where medicines are used to stabilize the brain function and hence lead to recovery. Some of the mood stabilizers used includes lithium carbonate, sodium vaproate, carbamazepine, olanzapine and chlorpromazine among others. These drugs are administered at various stages of bipolar disorders. They may be ministers for a long term if the episodes are recurrent (Sachs, 2007).

Conclusion

Though no single cause has been identified to be the absolute cause for these disorders, some of the suggested causing agents are things that one can avoid. It is therefore advisable for one to avoid the causative agents so as to stay healthy.

References:

Dietch. J.T. (2003). Diagnosis of organic anxiety disorders. Journal of American psychometrics, 55(11), 36.

Goodwin, F. & Jamison, K.R. (2007). Maniac-depressive Illness.  Oxford, UK: Oxford university press.

Preston, J. (2004). You can beat depression: Guide to prevention and recovery. Alascader, CA: Impact publishers.

Sachs, G.S. (2007). Effectiveness of adjunctive antidepressant treatment for bipolar depression. New England Journal of Medicine, 356(6), 1711-1722.