Depression 1

George Bryant
Brett Millecam
Elizabeth Avagimova
Kyle Harris
David Kingston

English 1010-19
Wade Bentley
August 7, 2014





Depression &
Suicide
A Global Pandemic
Depression 2

There is a wide-ranging crisis unfolding across the globe, and it is getting bigger every year.
Although it affects more than just the United States, for this research paper we will focus primarily on
statistics and occurrences domestically. It is a mostly silent and utterly debilitating condition that can
paralyze even the strongest individual with hopelessness, sadness, and despair. What we speak of is the
disease of depression. It comes in many forms, but the end result is the same debilitating situation.
Depression manifests itself through anger, social withdrawal, lack of appetite, insomnia, unfounded
guilt, and a long list of other symptoms. In the worst cases, it may lead to attempted suicide.
Unfortunately, some of those attempts are successful.
Georges uncle David Jensen was tragically lost to suicide at fifty years of age. It was devastating
to his immediate family and all those who loved him. The impact was immediate and it was long lasting.
His death precipitated Georges own attempts at suicide. His uncle was a great influence in his life, and
he really looked up to him. Davids battle with depression over the years also caused numerous
problems in his first marriage. He eventually divorced after an extramarital affair. He had a one year old
son with his second wife, who has now grown up without a father. His daughter is now married with
children of her own. They will never know their grandfather. His first wife has been so emotionally
traumatized from these experiences that she will never remarry again. Georges mother still has
emotional scars which will never heal. As you can see, the effects of suicide and depression are utterly
devastating to the individual with depression and the surrounding family.
The four primary types of depression are major depression, dysthymia, bipolar disorder, and
seasonal affective disorder. We wish to focus on the most severe and debilitating of these, the first of
which is major depression. According to helpguide.org, major depression is characterized by the inability
to enjoy life and experience pleasure. The symptoms are constant, ranging from moderate to severe.
Left untreated, major depression typically lasts for about six months. Some people experience just a
Depression 3

single depressive episode in their lifetime, but more commonly, major depression is a recurring disorder
(Smith par. 5).
The other form of extreme depression is bipolar disorder. Helpguide.org also provides the
following description for bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is
characterized by cycling mood changes. Episodes of depression alternate with manic episodes, which
can include impulsive behavior, hyperactivity, rapid speech, and little to no sleep. Typically, the switch
from one mood extreme to the other is gradual, with each manic or depressive episode lasting for at
least several weeks (Smith par. 5).
In addition to the seriousness of depression, the statistical impact is staggering. According to
Faris, one in ten Americans is affected at one point or another, and the incidence of depression can vary
from state to state. Women are at a higher risk of depression than men. Ethnic minorities also have a
high risk, as do adults aged 54-64. Faris also states that depression is also more likely to strike the ill
educated and the involuntarily unemployed. The greatest travesty, however, is that four percent of
adolescents will develop significant symptoms of serious depression each year in the United States
alone. As a result, suicide is also the third leading cause of death among children 10-24. To put this in
greater perspective, one out of every thirty-three children in school will have clinical depression (Faris 2-
3).
The most alarming of all the statistics we have discovered is that according to a study done at
Harvard, the number of patients diagnosed with depression increases by approximately twenty percent
per year. The more complex issue is that fifty percent of adults experiencing symptoms of depression
will not seek help (Faris 3).
We can deduce that this is not a self resolving problem. These statistics primarily focus on the
United States where this information is more readily available. However, if we magnify these same
Depression 4

statistics globally, we will be able to see it is quickly becoming a global pandemic, one which seriously
needs to be addressed.

As previously stated, Bipolar Disorder is a form of manic depression, and Major Depression and
Bipolar Disorder tend to be tied one with the other very closely. However, major depression can be
stand-alone diagnosis. Bipolar Disorder manifests itself through repeated mood swings, or episodes,
that can make someone feel very high (mania) or very low (depressive) (Brain & Behavior Research par.
6). Bipolar disorder and depression affect more than 5.7 million adults and 2.6 percent of the population
ages 18 or older. Unfortunately, many individuals with depression are bipolar; they have just never been
properly diagnosed (Brain & Behavior Research par. 1).
Significant mood swings are commonplace for bipolar sufferers. On the upper end of a mood
swing are manic episodes. The affected individual will tend to have high energy, and they also are
inclined to participate in risky behavior. Their mind is going through a state of euphoria, and its very
hard for them to get a sense of reality. Unrestrained spending, promiscuous sexual behavior, and other
dangerous activities are all the end results of these manic episodes.
Depression 5

On the reverse end of this disorder, individuals with bipolar disorder will also experience
episodes of severe depression. They tend to feel isolated and alone. They have very little energy, and
significant fatigue is often experienced during their low points. They also lose interest in a lot of their
favorite activities, including sex (Brain & Behavior Research par. 3). Oftentimes, if depression goes too
long without professional treatment, people experience suicidal thoughts. They want to end their life
since they feel like their life has lost all meaning. They feel very helpless and hopeless about their future.
The causes of these very serious yet most underestimated medical conditions are numerous and
complex. Therefore, we will primarily focus on the leading underlying issues. Depression does not
discriminate; it can affect anyone. Yet people are most often scared to speak up about being depressed
for fear of retaliation.
As we will show, the top three reasons for depression are genetics, alcoholism, and peer
rejection. We will discuss all of these in greater detail in the following paragraphs.
Depression 6

Genetics is one of the single greatest contributing factors. People with major recurring
depression are often genetically predisposed through the wiring in the brain. The brain of a person who
suffers from depression looks different than a person who is of a normal state of mind. The three major
parts of the brain that are affected by depression are the amygdala, thalamus, and the hippocampus
(Brain & Behavior Research par. 6). People with this disorder have low levels of neurotransmitters,
which involves many chemicals working inside and outside the brain.
Research has shown that the hippocampus is smaller in size in some depressed people (Harvard Health
Publications par. 7). There is an FMRI scan that can track changes when a person is doing different tasks
(Harvard Health Publications par. 7). Nerve cell connection, nerve cell growth, and functioning of nerve
circuits are all significantly affected by depression.
The second leading cause of depression is alcoholism and alcohol dependency. Throughout the
world alcohol consumption has become increasingly common for various reasons. People may drink for
pleasure, social appeal, or because they are dependent on it. One statistic states that, In most Western
Depression 7

societies, at least 90% of people consume alcohol at some time during their lives,(Sher par. 1). For
whatever the purpose of drinking alcohol, it is no secret that alcohol affects the mood of the person
drinking. Continuous research has shown that alcohol has been linked to depression (Thompson 1-2).
The question is, does regular alcohol consumption lead to depression, or are depressed people more
likely to drink excessively? It seems to be an open question.
Regular drinking by some can lead to alcoholism or alcohol dependence. The American
Psychology Association has said, It doesnt matter what kind of alcohol someone drinks or even how
much: alcohol-dependent people are often unable to stop drinking once they start(APA par. 2). Alcohol
damages the nerves in the brain. These damaged nerves can cause feelings of depression. This is
demonstrated by the picture below.
Depressive feelings start right after the alcoholic stops drinking, or if alcohol is not physically
there for them to drink. Mark Jacob, M.D. said, The depressive symptoms from alcohol are greatest
when a person first stops drinking. So people recovering from alcoholism who have a history of
Depression 8

depression should be carefully monitored during the early stages of withdrawal(par.3). These
symptoms of depression can be reversed with abstinence of alcohol (Stevens par. 6). Alcohol seems to
have a depressant effect on those that drink heavily. A physician treating a patient with depression
should look carefully at the cause so the correct action is taken.

Another way alcohol is linked to depression is by a clinically depressed person turning to alcohol
as a form of self treatment. One statistic from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states
that more than 21 percent of adults who have depression used alcohol or drugs, compared with 8
percent of those not dealing with depression (Thompson par. 2).
People with depression may use alcohol or drugs to feel better since these substances are mood
altering. The easy accessibility of alcohol can make it seem a good solution to alleviate depression. It is
contradictory, however, because in trying to self-medicate with alcohol, people dont realize theyre
using a depressant, which will intensify their depression (Thompson par. 5). By turning to alcohol they
are putting themselves into a vicious cycle of depression and alcoholism. Other remedies to depression
would be more effective than drinking alcohol.
It is beneficial that research has found that alcohol has a link to depression. With this
knowledge we know that it is a negative cycle. It is like a man that is stuck in quicksand. Thinking of a
fast way to get out, he tries to make quick and sudden movements in the sand. By making these
movements he is only making his body sink deeper into the problem, instead of reaching out and calling
for a friend to help. Despite this cycle, people who are involved with depression and alcohol can find
help.
Depression 9

The third major cause of depression is peer pressures and peer rejection. Bullying and
depression are often related. Depression affects both bullies and their victims (Bullying Statistics par. 1).
Bullying is a term used to describe a wide range of aggressive actions intended to intimidate,
manipulate, demean or socially stigmatize others. While these actions were once viewed as simply a
part of growing up, mental health professionals now understand that they can have a seriously
negative short- and/or long-term impact on the mental, emotional or physical well-being of affected
individuals. In the past, researchers have linked exposure to bullying with increased risks for major
depression in teenage boys and girls (Elements Behavioral Health par. 1).
Our group member George was nice enough to let us interview him and very courageous in
discussing personal issues regarding his battle with depression. George is from the small town of
Drummond, Montana. Growing up in a small town played a big role in his battle with depression. He
described Drummond as a friendly town, but the local high school was very small, which lead to the
forming of groups or cliques. This in turn lead to his being constantly picked on and bullied. High
school is supposed to be memorable and enjoyable, but facing his tormentors every day was
unbearable. As a result of non-stop bullying, this incredibly bright student struggled with school and his
grades suffered.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, studies show as many as
160,000 children stay home from school on any given day out of fear of bullying. Bullying is also an early
indicator for serious problems with the law. Over 60 percent of boys who are bullies in middle school
have criminal convictions by the age of 24, says the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
(Hopkins par. 3). In addition, children who are bullied are not only more likely to have mental health
problems, such as depression, but are also more likely to consider suicide (Hopkins par. 3).
Depression 10

In some cases, the effects of bullying can be fatal, but in other, cases things do get better. We
asked George what factors eventually led him to overcoming bullying, depression and his suicidal
thoughts.
He stated that moving beyond high school and out of Drummond is when Life really began. He
eventually met his wife, whom he calls the friend that I really needed.
I was fortunate enough to have loving support and a great home environment.
Sadly, when it comes to bullying and teen suicide, George is an exception. Bully victims are on
average 5 times more likely to commit suicide than non-victims (Bullying Statistics par. 5).
Society as a whole has made every attempt to diagnose, treat, and cure the various forms of
depression. However, it has repeatedly failed to stem the increasing rate of those diagnosed, nor has it
sufficiently addressed the increasing rate of suicide. Although there are help groups, suicide hotlines,
therapy, and many other programs and forms of treatment, none of these seem to have limited the
increasing number of those affected.
One example of a common attempt to prevent suicide has been the use of suicide hotlines.
Suicide hotlines have been around since the 1960s and in most cases are locally-based and locally-run
(Shea par. 1).
But do they work? That was the focus of a series of studies in a journal called Suicide
and Life-Threatening Behavior, written by Christopher Shea.
The results were mixed. 15.5 percent of the 1,431 calls his research assistants listened
in on at 14 crisis centers failed to meet minimal standards for evaluating suicide risk and
providing counseling.
Depression 11

So what exactly does that mean? Its difficult to say. In some cases the Helpers
answering calls are poorly trained and sometimes burnt out. Funding is low and often the
helpers are volunteers, not paid employees (Shea par. 3).
So the question remains, do the suicide hotlines help? In follow-up appointments with
some 380 callers, 12 percent said the call had kept them from harming themselves; roughly a
third reported having made and kept an appointment with a mental-health professional. On
the other hand, 43 percent reported having felt suicidal since the call, and 3 percent had
made a suicide attempt (Shea par. 6).
Again, the results appear decidedly mixed. If only 43% felt suicidal since the call, that
leaves over 50% who do not (Shea par. 7).
One of the main reasons behind undiagnosed depression is FEAR. Laura Delano, an
activist for suicide prevention and an author, wrote about her personal experiences in the
article, A Failed Product of Suicide Prevention.
The mental health industryand American society as a whole, for it seems weve
reached a point at which we look only to those with letters after their names to speak as experts on
the causes of and solutions for the human urge to diehas infused suicide with a deep, oppressive fear.
Much of the systems fear is self-centered in origin: it is fear manifested as liability, risk and
responsibility by those in a position of clinical power. I just cant let you leave the ER, Im afraid, as
youre a safety risk. Or, My license is at stake if I allow you to go home after sharing what you did with
me (Delano par. 12).
Delano also stated that Fear breeds control. At the heart of it, fear of suicide strips away the
humanity of life and death, leaving in its place a sterile, objectified problem or symptom that allows
Depression 12

only one course of action: prompt and effective intervention and prevention, usually via evaluations,
diagnoses, locked wards, prescription pads and even jail(Delano 4).
People are simply afraid to come forward about their suicidal thoughts. Society as a whole
needs to be more accepting of people with depression. In a recent TED talk, high school student Kevin
Breel (from Salt Lake City) discussed the stigma around depression and how the lack of acceptance
continues to be a detrimental to those suffering.
Unfortunately, we live in a world where if you break your arm, everyone runs over to sign your
cast. But if tell people you are depressed, everybody runs the other way. We are so accepting of any
body part breaking down, other than our brains(Peterson par. 5).
There is no easy fix when it comes to depression and suicide prevention. Laura Delano believes
that it starts by re-humanizing suicidal experiences, and in embracing them as important and meaningful
messages that need listening to, not running away from.
In order to truly solve this epidemic, we have outlined several steps that we may take
towards effective resolution. First, we need a political solution. We need employees of the
general public (particularly teachers, counselors, etc.) to be specifically trained (not
informed by some elective they took by chance in college) to observe, assess, and counteract
risk factors and warning signs of depression that could lead to potential suicide risk. We need
these individuals to be able to let risk victims know that they are in a caring environment
without fear of humiliation or other ramifications ("AFSP").
With alcohol addiction there are 12 step groups, a place where alcoholics can come together
and discuss their struggles in a group setting. This type of support needs to be carried over to suicide
prevention, a safe place where people with depression can talk about their suicidal experiences without
fear of incarceration, or silencing, or pathologizing. There is a very small number of these groups in
Depression 13

existence, but this is not enough to fully solve the problem at hand. Delano states, The answer for me
was to take my life back. In doing so, the urge to take my life from the world fell away (Delano 3).
Various studies also suggest that depression can be tracked through social media like Facebook
and Twitter. Here are the results from one of many studies conducted:
A total of 1,659,274 tweets were analyzed over a 3-month period with 37,717 identified as at-
risk for suicide. Midwestern and western states had a higher proportion of suicide-related
tweeters than expected, while the reverse was true for southern and eastern states. A strong
correlation was observed between state Twitter-derived data and actual state age-adjusted
suicide data (BYU Department of Health & Science).
With this in mind, it would be logical to fund research and programs that focus on not only
tracking depression through social media, but also acting upon the results. If somebody is tracked for
depression, their computer (or other device) could enlighten them (discreetly) of known support groups
in the area or known treatment facilities. In order to make this happen, we need to reach out to the
right developers, producers, and creators in the right places as this process could get very complicated;
such as the human experience.
The next step involves existing therapy, which needs rebuffing and polishing. According to
dbsalliance.org, up to 80% of clinically depressed individuals show an improvement within four to six
weeks of beginning psychotherapy (along with other treatment). It would appear then that the problem
is not the therapy itself, but the lack of risk victims seeking treatment or refusal by the patient to be
treated properly:
Despite its high treatment success rate, nearly two out of three people suffering with depression do not
actively seek nor receive proper treatment. An estimated 50% of unsuccessful treatment for depression is
Depression 14

due to medical noncompliance. Patients stop taking their medication too soon due to unacceptable side
effects, financial factors, fears of addiction and/or short-term improvement of symptoms, leading them to
believe that continuing treatment is unnecessary (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance).
The answer is to change the perspective of the general public. When we think of treatment facilities,
we think of haunted asylums. This perspective can be changed by showing the general public tours of
specialized facilities, either through the internet or television broadcasts. This will show just what a
wonderful place these institutions can be, and how they can help those in need.
In conclusion, the number of lives at stake has never been higher. The need for real solutions
could never be direr. Finally, the need for compassion and empathy could never be greater. This
problem will never be resolved so long as those suffering from depression are marginalized, stigmatized,
and treated through fear. Compassion, true empathy, providing open discussions, better insurance
coverage, and training for teachers and those in a position of authority may help us to finally stem the
tide of depression and suicide and force it into retreat.
Works Cited
American Foundation of Suicide Prevention. Preventing Suicide: Risk Factors and Warning Signs.
American Foundation of Suicide Prevention web site. n.d. Electronic Article. 30 July 2014.
<http://www.afsp.org/preventing-suicide/risk-factors-and-warning-signs>.
American Psychological Association. A Brief Overview of Alcoholism. PsychCentral.com. 30 January
2013. Electronic Article. July 30 2014. <http://psychcentral.com/lib/a-brief-overview-of-
alcoholism/0001147>.
Depression 15

Brain & Behavior Research Foundation. Frequently asked questions about Bipolar Disorder: Brain &
Behavior Research Foundation. n.d. Electronic Article. 2 August 2014.
<http://bbrfoundation.org/frequently-asked-questions-about-bipolar-disorder>.
Bryant, George. Personal Interview. 26 Jul 2014.
BullyingStatistics.org. Bullying and Depression. BullyingStatistics.org Web Site. n.d. Electronic Article. 2
August 2014. <http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/bullying-and-depression.html>.
BYU Deparment of Health & Science. Tracking Suicide Risk Factors Through Twitter in US. PubMed.gov.
2014. 2 August 2014. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24121153>.
Delano, Laura. "Attemptsurviors.com." 24 January 2014. Online Document. 2 August 2014.
Depression. Depression. 2013. Image. <http://intrigue.ie/when-life-gives-you-lemons/>.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. Depression Statistics. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
web site. n.d. Electronic Article. 2 August 2014.
<http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=education_statistics_depression>.
Elements Behavioral Health. Bullying leads to Depression Substance Abuse in Teenagers. Elements
Behavioral Health Web Site. n.d. Electronic Article. 2 August 2014.
<http://www.elementsbehavioralhealth.com/adolescent-issues/bullying-leads-to-depression-
substance-abuse-in-teenagers/>.
Faris, Stephanie. Depression Statistics. Healthline: Power of Intelligent Health. 28 March 2012. Electronic
Article. 2 August 2014. <http://www.healthline.com/health/depression/statistics>.
Depression 16

Friedman M.D., Richard A. Uncovering and Epidemic-Screening for Mental Illness in Teens. New England
Journal of Medicine. 28 December 2006. Electronic Article. 2 August 2014.
<http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmp068262>.
Harvard Health Publications. What Causes Depression? Harvard Health Publications Harvard Medical
School. n.d. Electronic Article. 2 August 2014.
<http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsweek/what-causes-depression.htm>.
Hopkins, Melissa. Bullying and Depression. LiveStrong.com Web Site. 16 August 2013. Electronic Article.
2 August 2014. <http://www.livestrong.com/article/156035-bullying-depression/>.
Jacob M.D., Mark. Why Alcohol and Depression Dont Mix. PsychCentral. 30 January 2013. Electronic
Article. 31 July 2014. <http://psychcentral.com/lib/why-alcohol-and-depression-dont-
mix/0001322/1322>.
Smith, Melinda, M.A., Joanna Saisan, M.S.W., and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D. Depression Symptoms and
Warning Signs. HelpGuide.org. June 2014. Electronic Article. 2 August 2014.
<http://www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_signs_types_diagnosis_treatment.htm>.
Petersen, Sarah. Teen basketball Star opens up about his depression, video goes viral. Deseret News. 9
October 2013. Electronic Article. 2 August 2014.
<http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865588043/Teen-basketball-star-opens-up-about-his-
depression-video-goes-viral.html?pg=all>.
Shea, Chrisopher. PsychCentral. n.d. Electronic Article. 6 August 2014. <http://www.
http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2007/09/09/a-study-of-suicide-hotlines/
Sher, L. "Commentary: QJM Depression and Alcoholism." 2004. Document. 30 July 2014.
<http://qjmed.oxfordjournals.org/content/97/4/237.full.pdf>.
Depression 17

Stevens, Scott. Journal: Alcohol Causes Depression Rather than Curing it. Examiner.com. 12 February
2013. Journal Article. 30 July 2014. <http://www.examiner.com/article/journal-alcohol-causes-
depression-rather-than-curing-it>.
Teen Bipolar Disorder. Paradingm Malibu Teen Treatment Center. <http://paradigmmalibu.com/teen-
bipolar-disorder-and-mood-stabilizers-topic-overview/>.
The Great Pretender. Unknown. The Great Pretender. Unknown, 2014. Image. 2 August 2014.
<http://buczthebeginning.wordpress.com/2014/05/26/the-great-pretender/>.
Thompson Jr., Dennis. Depression and Substance Abuse. Everyday Health Media, LLC. 30 June 2011.
Electronic Article. 30 July 2014. <http://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/depression-and-
substance-abuse.aspx>.
WebMD. Depression Overview. 2014. Image. 2 August 2014.
<http://www.webmd.com/depression/ss/slideshow-depression-overview>.