Depression is a mood disorder characterized by persistent sadness and profound loss of pleasure. It is a common illness that is mostly confused with daily changes in mood. However, when depressive feelings persist, they affect behavior and a person’s ability to carry out daily routines. On a global scale, the largest portion of the population is considered to at least harbor one of the common forms of depression. With this knowledge, low mood is not just about feelings but the ability to feel demotivated. Even though depression can be treated, its diagnosis is difficult since low mood is also a symptom to other mental disorders. Psychotherapy, electroconvulsive therapy, drug treatment, and social support are some of the known treatment procedures applied in this disorder. From a medical point of view, there a host of factors that can drive a person into depressive episodes. The brain chemistry, genetic structures, hormonal changes, and social factors are examples of the causative agents of depression in the society.
Prevalence
As reported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in 2013, 15.7 million adults in America confirmed having experienced at least one depressive episode in the past twelve months (Foster & Neufeld, 2013). Based on this survey it is evident that about 6.7% of adults in the US are depressed (Foster & Neufeld, 2013). Also, as mentioned by Foster and Neufeld (2013), SAMHSA records show that 11.4 % of adolescents in America reported having experienced depression in their past twelve months. These statistical records indicate that depression is a prevalent disorder on the globe. Although it can be treated, its negative effects are difficult to ignore. For instance, a study carried out by World Health Organization (WHO) in 2010 corroborated that depression was responsible for 3.7% of the disability-adjusted years in the US (Read, Cartwright, Gibson, Shiels & Haslam, 2014). With this knowledge, it is evident that it creates a major burden for the patients diagnosed with other mental disorders. The increased prevalence of this illness over time confirms the current unproductivity levels experienced on the global (Read et al., 2014). With its ability to affect people’s feelings, it alters the motivational levels of its victims which results to work inefficiency. As postulated by Read et al. (2014), depression is common among women as compared to men. According to the DSM-IV figures of 1994, at least 10% and 5% of respective women and men experience major depressive episodes in their lifetime (Read et al., 2014). Also, epidemiological studies carried out by Foster and Neufeld (2013) in the United States reveal that depression ranks fourth and seventh among the most common causes of burden in women and men respectively. Even though the statistical records show a high prevalence of depression in women, its influence in the total population cannot be underestimated.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Forms of Depression
Depression disorder is classified based on its severity. In clinical medicine, major depression disorder (MDD) is a commonly experienced type (Neitzke, 2016). In this form of depression, fatigue, lack of sleep, weight loss and low mood are some of its indicators. Furthermore, Neitzke (2016) postulates that MDD majorly impairs a person’s ability to form proper long-lasting social relationships. Major depression disorder is further subdivided into melancholia, psychotic, antenatal and postnatal subtypes (Neitzke, 2016). Melancholia describes the most severe depressive episodes where the mental effects related to the illness are expressed in the physical attributes (Neitzke, 2016). For instance, the patient may exhibit slow movements and complete loss of interest in all pleasurable items. Psychotic depression on the other is characterized by strong hallucinations which may render a patient paranoid. Lastly, antenatal and postnatal depression is common among women. Studies carried out by Foster and Neufeld (2013) confirmed that about 10% of pregnant women are at risk of experiencing depression. However, this rate is projected to increase to about 16% within the first three months after giving birth (Neitzke, 2016). Even though numerous factors drive pregnant women into depression, hormonal changes have been cited as one of the major causative agents. It is also worth noting that antenatal and postnatal depression not only affects the mother but her relationship with other family members.
Bipolar is another common classification of depression. Even though both depressive and manic episodes are associated with bipolar depression, the two periods vary in intensity. Mania refers to a period of elevated mood which is a direct opposite of depression. This is one of the major classifications of depression that is linked to genetic structure (Neitzke, 2016). However, according to Neitzke (2016), its diagnosis can be confused with schizophrenia since they have common diagnostic symptoms.
Also, catatonia is a major classification of depression. This is a type of disorder that impairs the motor capabilities of a person. Uncontrolled movement or lack of motor flexible are the common physical manifestations of this illness (Neitzke, 2016). It also tends to alter the speech mechanisms of its victims. Initially, catatonia was categorized as a distinct disorder by the American Psychiatric Association, but as further research was done, it was found to act as a subcategory of depression (Neitzke, 2016). Mutism is one of the dominant symptoms of this type of depression. However, for proper diagnosis of catatonia, a patient must exhibit at least three of the common symptoms. Catalepsy, echolalia, grimacing, agitation are the common symptoms associated with catatonic depression. As mentioned by Neitzke (2016), catatonia is caused by the depletion of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine refers to neurotransmitters responsible for mood. Life stresses such as divorce can alter the brain structure responsible for certain important hormones. This type of treatment can be treated using benzodiazepines which act to relieve muscle tension and anxiety.
Studies carried out by Sydney Blatt in 1974 revealed that depression is also classified into introjective and anaclitic (Eytan & Elkis-Abuhoff, 2013). In anaclitic episodes, patients exhibit high feelings of loneliness, weakness, and helplessness (Eytan & Elkis-Abuhoff, 2013). With this knowledge, the victims are too dependent on others for their gratification. Introjective depression, on the other hand, describes periods where an individual is too critical of self. As mentioned by Eytan and Elkis-Abuhoff (2013) patients are thought to harbor feelings of unworthiness, inferiority, guilt, and failure. In comparison to the anaclitic type, patients manifest a high level of isolation since they consider themselves incapable of maintaining proper social networks (Eytan & Elkis-Abuhoff, 2013). In their quest for perfection, some patients may grow wild since they have to compete in order to achieve their life demands. Even though this perfection guarantees success, such patients have a high tendency of being dissatisfied with whatever they achieve in the process. The concepts elicited in this two depression types were majorly obtained by evaluating the depression aspect rather focusing on the symptoms that may be misleading (Eytan & Elkis-Abuhoff, 2013). Life experiences, preoccupations, and internal feelings are some of the elements that were considered when classifying depression into anaclitic and introjective subtypes.
Causes of Depression
Depression is majorly caused by a combination of both biological and social factors. The brain structure and its chemical changes have been highlighted as the main causative agents of low mood. It is evident that the brain is the primary organ responsible for interpretation of visualized actions and controlling of behavior (Eytan & Elkis-Abuhoff, 2013). To inhibit dangerous reactions by the body, the brain supplies enough energy to suppress anxiety feelings (Foster & Neufeld, 2013). Brain structuring which is normally known as remodeling is one of the processes that drives people into depression. In the neurological sciences, the brain sections responsible for mood, decision making, and memory usually change in size based on their functioning (Eytan & Elkis-Abuhoff, 2013). As claimed by Foster and Neufeld (2013), amygdala, hippocampus and prefrontal cortex are the main brain structures that determine how an individual can respond to stress. With this knowledge, hippocampus is responsible for storing memories and balancing stress hormones (Foster & Neufeld, 2013). However, Foster and Neufeld (2013) claim that these sections of the brain reduce in size when subjected to repeated depressive episodes. Their decline in size is majorly instigated by the failure of dentate gyrus to produce enough neurons to meet the brain demands (Foster & Neufeld, 2013), In contrast, as the depressive episodes increase, the amygdala which is the brain section responsible for memory storage enlarges thus disrupting sleeping patterns and any other ability to handle daily tasks (Eytan & Elkis-Abuhoff, 2013). It is also worth noting that some of the abnormal brain structures are hereditary. For instance, individuals with very low levels of cortisol are thought to have a high probability of experiencing depression in their lifetime (Eytan & Elkis-Abuhoff, 2013). According to Eytan and Elkis-Abuhoff (2013), cortisol is the primary element of the brain responsible for the production of neurons.
Also, studies carried out by Foster and Neufeld (2013), corroborated that neuroendocrine hormonal changes are responsible for depression in humans. For instance, the hyperactivity levels of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal, regulates the relationship between physical responses and physiological processes (Eytan & Elkis-Abuhoff, 2013). Therefore, hormonal changes hinder psychosocial processes which consequently drives an individual to stress and depression. Furthermore, failure of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal to control body processes impairs the immune system and the body’s metabolic processes (Eytan & Elkis-Abuhoff, 2013). Weight loss experienced with depression is a consequence of a low appetite caused by low body metabolisms. Also Foster and Neufeld (2013) postulate that other infections are caused by the interference of depression on the immune system.
Even though biological factors influence depression levels, they are majorly triggered by social concerns. Life events such as divorce, work issues, financial problems, and medical concerns are social factors that have much influence on a person’s ability to manage emotions (Neitzke, 2016). The consistent subjection to tough life challenges triggers biological abnormalities related to depression. Happiness is achieved by maintaining a healthy social relationship with others (Neitzke, 2016). Even though some patients may harbor inherited brain deformities, prosperous social life can be important in helping them control threatening emotions. In most cases, people are driven into depression episodes once they are unable to deal with their life situations (Neitzke, 2016). Therefore, the ability to share and seek social support can be effective in helping patients evade the effects of depressions. Failure to solve social challenges triggers the biological structures responsible for depression.
Signs and Symptoms
Fatigue is one common symptom of depression. Whenever individuals feel depressed, their energy levels decline thus making them sluggish especially in the morning. According to the clinical research carried out in Massachusetts general hospital, depressed people experience nonrestorative sleep (Marganska, Gallagher & Miranda, 2013). This is the main reason they usually feel fatigued in the morning. Persistent headaches are other common symptoms of depression. However, it is worth noting that depression-related headaches occur in lower magnitudes as compared to excruciating migraines. In this case, tension headaches are the most common (Marganska, Gallagher & Miranda, 2013). Even though these headaches occur in small magnitudes, they pulsate around the eyebrows making it difficult for the individual to execute personal tasks effectively. Decreased vision is also another symptom of depression. Based on the 2010 study carried out in Germany, it was evident that mental illnesses could impair eye vision. The results of the study corroborated that 80% of the depressed sample population noted to have experienced difficulties in identifying black and white colors (Marganska, Gallagher & Miranda, 2013). Stomach pains is another key sign of depression. Bloating, cramps and nausea are examples of stomach upsets confirmed to harbor relationships with mental illnesses (Neitzke, 2016). As mentioned by Neitzke (2016), depression can cause an inflammation in the stomach which can lead to other related problems such as diarrhea.
Treatment
Psychotherapy, social support, medication, and natural strategies are some of the known treatment procedures for depressive disorder. Psychotherapy is the most common type of depression treatment. In this type, the therapist helps the patient to overcome depressive episodes through a set of exercises. Interpersonal, cognitive behavioral and problem-solving therapies are some examples of psychotherapy strategies that can be adopted in mitigating mental illnesses. Cognitive behavioral therapy is commonly used when a patient experiences mild depressive episode (Duivis, Vogelzangs, Kupper, de Jonge, & Penninx, 2013). This procedure is normally structured to improve the patient’s ability to relax and overcome emotional hurdles. If this strategy fails, the patient is subjected to interpersonal communication with the therapist where he or she is helped to tackle the associated problems. This is an important treatment strategy especially when the patient exhibits introjective depressions (Duivis et al., 2013). In such a case, the therapist focuses on how to solve the patient’s problems associated with low mood.
Medication is another important form of depression treatment. In this type, patients are provided with depressants to cushion them from the adversity of mood disorder. If the depressions are mild, patients are usually subjected to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (Duivis et al., 2013). This drug is recommended due to the few side effects associated with it. According to Duivis et al. (2013), if SSRIs fail, the patient should be prescribed with the tricyclic antidepressants which include nortriptyline, doxepin, and trimipramine. However, these depressants are rarely used because of the adverse side effects associated with them (Duivis et al., 2013). Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are other drugs that are used when all other medications have failed. Furthermore, their dangerous side effects make them improper for depression treatment. While using MAOIs, the patient is expected to have remained strict to a given diet because MAOIs dangerously reacts with certain foods (Duivis et al., 2013). Even though depressants are effective, they are usually integrated with other drugs such as mood stabilizers for optimum results.
Brain stimulation therapies have also received much prevalence in the current treatment of depression (Duivis et al., 2013). Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) are the commonly used therapies in mitigating depression. In ECT, the patient’s brain is subjected to a string of electric current to boost neurotransmitters which serve to relieve depression (Duivis et al., 2013). As claimed by Duivis et al. (2013) this procedure is usually used for people who are at high risk of committing suicide or those who have failed to respond to all other forms of treatment. TMS, on the other hand, entails placing a coil at the scalp of the patient so that the radiated magnetic waves serve to stimulate the nerve cells responsible for mood regulation.
Recent studies by Duivis et al. (2013) have confirmed that supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids can be effective in relieving depression tendencies. Cold water fish, walnuts and flaxseed are examples of the viable sources of this supplement (Duivis et al., 2013). By using omega-3 supplements, patients can increase their serotine levels naturally. Numerous anti-depressants such as Prozac inhibit the intake of serotine in the brain which may lead to recurrent depressive episodes (Duivis et al., 2013). However, by taking foods rich in serotine, a patient does not suffer from the consequences of anti-depressants.
Acupuncture is another natural treatment that can relieve patients from depressive episodes. This treatment has been found to harbor similar results with anti-depressants. Acupuncture involves using thin needles injected along the energy lines of human skin. According to Duivis et al. (2013), acupuncture stimulates the nervous system to produce more neurochemicals. Due to the increased neurotransmission in the body, the resulting biochemical processes serve to relive the patient from depression (Duivis et al., 2013). Even though acupuncture can be effective, but its integration with mediation, yoga, and massage can optimize the results (Neitzke, 2016). However, relying solely on these alternative treatment strategies cannot relieve an individual from depression (Duivis et al., 2013). Therefore, it is important to integrate these exercises with the mainstream treatment procedures for maximum healing.
Conclusion
In summary, the prevalence of depression is becoming a threat to humanity. Even though the initial record indicates that 6.7% of adults in America are considered to suffer from depression, this figures may escalate in the future. Also considering that about 11% of adolescents are assumed to undergo depressive episodes per year, clearly ascertains its levels in the society. Although there are numerous forms of depression, MDD has remained the most common type on the globe. Headaches, stomach aches, declined vision and nausea are some of the symptoms associated with depression. However, it is worth noting that these signs and symptoms are consequences of deformities in amygdala, hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of the brain. Fortunately, various treatment procedures can be adopted in the mitigation of this illness. Over the years’ psychotherapy has proved to be an important tool in cushioning patients from the adversities of depression. Antidepressants, acupuncture, adopting proper eating habits are other examples of medication strategies that can be used to cure depression.
References
Duivis, H. E., Vogelzangs, N., Kupper, N., de Jonge, P., & Penninx, B. W. (2013). Differential association of somatic and cognitive symptoms of depression and anxiety with inflammation: findings from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA). Psychoneuroendocrinology , 38 (9), 1573-1585.
Eytan, L., & Elkis-Abuhoff, D. L. (2013). Indicators of depression and self-efficacy in the PPAT drawings of normative adults. The Arts in Psychotherapy , 40 (3), 291-297.
Foster, J. A., & Neufeld, K. A. M. (2013). Gut–brain axis: how the microbiome influences anxiety and depression. Trends in neurosciences , 36 (5), 305-312.
Neitzke, A. B. (2016). An illness of power: gender and the social causes of depression. Culture, medicine, and psychiatry , 40 (1), 59-73.
Marganska, A., Gallagher, M., & Miranda, R. (2013). Adult attachment, emotion dysregulation, and symptoms of depression and generalized anxiety disorder. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry , 83 (1), 131.
Read, J., Cartwright, C., Gibson, K., Shiels, C., & Haslam, N. (2014). Beliefs of people taking antidepressants about causes of depression and reasons for increased prescribing rates. Journal of affective disorders , 168 , 236-242.
