Titanic Post

Chances are you know somebody with depression. It is a mental condition that affects 18.8 million people all over the world. I am one of them. The exact cause for depression is unknown. In this essay you will find out what course the illness might take by defining depression, describing some of the symptoms, examining the cause, the connection between depression and anxiety, examining the warning signs of suicide which is the second leading cause of death in America and show different ways this can be treated.

What is Depression?
Depression is a serious mental illness. Everyone gets depressed at one time or another. It is a serious condition if you feel sad for more than two weeks. It is more than just feeling “down in the dumps” or “blue” for a few days. It is feeling “down” and “low” and “hopeless” for weeks at a time. If a person feels that bad they need to go see a doctor. This can interfere with their normal way of life.

Many people are in denial that they may have this problem and they don’t realize that it can be treated. There are many treatments besides anti-depressants. The experiences vary widely. They may feel as ill as when they have the flu. Some people think they can shake it off, but they cannot. There is little that can be done to overcome it. A person may feel isolated. No matter what they do, it does not seem to help them or people around them. They become convinced that they will stay in this state of discontent forever. It is hard to detect, people can go several years thinking you are not ill. It is difficult for many depressed patients to give an account of their illness when they are depressed. They are working hard trying to manage their feelings and responsibilities and the same time trying to figure out what is wrong with them.

Symptoms
Depression is an episodic illness with episodes that can last for days, weeks, months or years. It can be described as a roller coaster. For a few days a person can feel awful and then they feel a little better and then they feel like it has passed. But then it comes back and they gradually feel worse. To put it into more simple terms there is a numerical scale used by counselors to measure a client’s degree of depression. A one is when they feel like they are on top of the world and a ten is when they feel suicidal . The remaining numbers are for when a patient is depressed in a minor way or in a close to severe way.

One of the most disabling aspects of depression is that people often feel physically drained and like they cannot get out of bed. Simple things such as showering, getting dressed, and going to work or school seem impossible. Depression can make people very tired and all they want to do is sleep. Things seem impossible. Some people do not know if they are going to make it to the next day. A depressed person might lose all hope for the future. They do not see the point in everyday activities. People with depression tend to feel like no one cares about them or if they die in the next hour.

You know that you are depressed when you see a pill on your dresser that just might make you feel better, but you don’t have the motivation to get out of bed to take it. People with depression can not think clearly or concentrate. They have no feeling and you want to feel pain. For example a person with depression goes to the dentist and hopes that they don’t give them Novocain so they can feel the pain. This also ties into self-mutilation or self-harm.

The quality of how a depressed person completes certain tasks declines. Students with depression experience their grades dropping and they fall behind in school. If they have a learning disability it will be even more pronounced. Other symptoms include feelings of guilt, hopelessness, and worthlessness . They have no sex drive, their appetite can increase or decrease, they also may not be able to sleep or they sleep excessively. Every good deed that they do seems like a nuisance to others. They are physically worn out and may walk, talk, or move slower. It is hard to say what is on their mind or answer questions, even if it is a yes or no question.

How is Depression Caused?
The cause of depression is unknown. It is often genetic. All doctors know is that it is a chemical imbalance in the brain. That’s where antidepressants help. They balance the chemicals. Depression can also be caused by traumatic experiences such a death in the family, abuse, divorce, or an accident.

Depression and Anxiety
Depression is associated with a high frequency of anxiety or anxiety symptoms or anxiety disorder. In fact anxiety is one of the most common problems that cluster with depression. Anxiety can cause depression and depression can cause anxiety. There is a connection between the two. Neuroscientists say that that many of the nerve pathways are involved in both. However anxiety can occur without depression being present.

The are several types of anxiety: panic attacks, obsessive compulsive symptoms, and phobias. A common phobia is Agoraphobia or the fear of public places. This and many aspects of depression can prevent people from living a normal life .

Suicide
Suicide can be caused by a person being in the worst possible state of depression . A person who wants to commit suicide has lost all hope and motivation to live. They don’t see the point in living life any longer. It does not occur to them that their family and friend will be deeply saddened if they commit suicide. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in the United States.

It is almost impossible to predict precisely which teenager will attempt suicide. Below is a list from the Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry that has complied the indications of suicide. The signs are usual changes in eating and sleeping habits, withdrawal from friends, family, and regular activities. Violent action, rebellious behavior or running away, excessive drug and alcohol use, unusual neglect of personal appearance, marked personality change, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, not tolerating rewards or compliments, and becoming suddenly cheerful after an episode of depression.

If a person says the following, “I wont be a problem for you,” “Nothing matters,” “I won’t be seeing you again!” A suicidal person may also give away personal items and start cleaning out their room.

Treatment
It can be treated with anti-depressants, counseling, and therapy. Sometimes it can become too much to handle with all this alone and it can become harmful to the person who is dealing with it or people around them. If this is the case, there are psychiatric hospitals available if the medicine needs to be adjusted or if someone needs to learn coping skills. It is important for a person with depression or any similar illness to know what helps them when they are depressed and what does not.

As explained in this paper depression, is a horrible illness to go through and it affects people in all walks of life. It is a serious mental illness with a variety of symptoms that vary by case. Although the exact cause is unknown, depression is often genetic and can lead to suicide. Depression can not be ignored. If left untreated it will only get worse. The important thing for the person affected to remember is that it is a long road to recovery, but it is important to never give up hope. This too shall pass.