Pollak 1

Alyssa Pollak
Mr. Hull
Honors English II
26 February 2016

Depression
Individuals may notice a change in how they act in everyday life
situations. Each day depression takes over an individuals life and makes it
harder for one to live a healthy lifestyle. Depression can contain life
threatening changes that professionals need to be aware of to prevent any
serious actions regarding ones behavior or harm. The definition of
depression, how it affects people, and treatments for depression are ways to
help people understand the inner and outer aspects of how depression
works. Depression, which is among the most common of all mental illnesses
worldwide, can be a threatening brain disorder that can cause serious
problems with how one reacts will react to different situations.
Many understand the concept of depression, however, they do not
know exactly what depression is, or understand who can obtain depression
physiologically and environmentally. Depression is a mood disorder, part of a
group of mental illnesses that involve severe disturbances in a persons
emotional state, or mood. Depression can make one experience mood swings

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that cause them to feel fantastic one day and miserable the next. If an
individual is experiencing depression they will find most days are bad and
good days are rare. Depression is one of the oldest medical conditions, an
illness that scientists have been aware of, and curious about, for hundreds of
years. In the mid-twentieth century, scientists realized the illness was not
unique to just adults. A few researchers rejected the theory that it was solely
an adult disease and established that the illness could indeed affect young
people as well as old. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders, which is referred to as the DSM, stated that it could begin at any
age (Parks 12-15).
There are many physiological causes to depression, however, serotonin
levels and hereditary are the most common. Serotonin is a chemical found in
the human body, it carries signals along and between nerves. Furthermore,
Serotonin is most commonly believed to be a neurotransmitter, although
some consider the chemical to be a hormone. It is mainly found in the brain,
bowels and blood platelets. Serotonin is thought to be especially active in
constricting smooth muscles, transmitting impulses between nerve cells,
regulating cyclic body processes, and contributing to well-being and
happiness. Serotonin is regarded by some researchers as a chemical that is
responsible for maintaining mood balance, and that a deficit of serotonin
leads to depression (McIntosh, James, What Does Serotonin Do?). It is
thought to be likely that an imbalance of neurotransmitters or hormones in
the body can lead to depression (McIntosh, James, Depression and SSRIs).

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Many people believe that depression is hereditary. A British research

team recently isolated a gene that appears to be prevalent in multiple family
members with depression. The chromosome 3p25-26 was found in more than
eight-hundred families with recurrent depression. Scientists believe as much
as forty percent of those with depression can trace it to a genetic link.
Environmental and other factors make up the other sixty percent. Research
has also shown that people with parents or siblings who have depression are
up to three times more likely to have the condition. This can be due to
heredity or environmental factors that have a strong influence. Both genetic
and environmental factors are thought to play a role in the development of
disorders such as depression (NHS Choices 49). A person with a relative who
suffers from depression is almost five times more likely to develop
depression as well (Faris).
In the same way, environmental causes have an enormous amount of
tragic effects and trauma factors. Tragic events can cause trauma and a
large amount of stress issues. Constant exposure to negative images in the
news can cause us to feel sad, depressed, anxious, and hopeless," says
Goldhaber. You may be especially sensitive if you have experienced
firsthand trauma in the past. When the media gets hold of a tragic current
event, the coverage can be intrusive and unrelenting. Goldhaber is not the
only expert to put some blame on the relentless coverage. "There is a certain
amount of media excess, especially on cable news," says Scott Bea, PsyD, a
psychologist at the Cleveland Clinic. The media knows that fear draws us in

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and sells airtime. They know how to make us feel vulnerable. They even use
fear to sell the weather forecast" (Iliades, How Tragic Events Traumatize Us
Through Television). Doctors examined the relationship among trauma,
coping, depression, and mental health service seeking in a probability
sample of sheltered homeless and low-income housed women. Results
highlight the diversity of trauma. In a longitudinal analysis, women who lived
in shelters or experienced major violence had a twofold increase in their risk
of depression over the six months following. In a cross-sectional analysis,
childhood sexual abuse, living in a shelter, physical violence, childhood
physical abuse, and death or injury of a friend or relative predicted avoidant
coping and symptoms of depression. Modifying coping strategies may
ameliorate some of the negative impact of trauma and potentially enhance
mental health service use among at-risk women (Rayburn et al.).
Depression can have serious affects, such as physical problems,
feelings one has, and abnormal feelings and behaviors. Physical depression
has many different symptoms, some of the symptoms are change in
appetite, lack of energy, weight loss, and weight gain. Changes in ones
eating habits may be related to other symptoms of depression, such as
fatigue and a lack of pleasure from activities. "Many people with depression
lose both energy and interest. This can include a loss of interest in eating,"
says Dr. Kennedy. "This may be especially true for older people with
depression, who may lose interest in cooking and don't have the energy to
prepare meals. For others, nausea may be a symptom of their depression

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and a cause for loss of appetite (Iliades, Depressions Effect on Your

Appetite). If a person suffers from depression, they may be feeling so tired
and drained that they might be having a hard time going about their daily
activities. A person may even feel so exhausted that they can barely find the
energy to get dressed in the morning (Parent). Episodes of depression and
associated weight changes vary greatly from person to person. Some people
may gain weight when depressed, while others may lose weight. Depression
can affect a persons eating and sleeping patterns, it is possible for some
individuals to eat a relatively large amount of food yet still lose weight while
depressed.
Abnormal, upsetting feelings can affect an individuals life and cause
severe substantial acts that can cause harm towards them or to others.
These feelings can force one to act a certain way towards family members
and friends. Some feelings an individual can experience during depression
are sadness, lack of interest, and suicidal thoughts. Sadness deals with
strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt. One would harshly criticize
themselves for perceived faults and mistakes. Lack of interest in ones daily
activities such as no interest in former hobbies, pastimes, social activities, or
sex. Once one has lost their ability to feel joy and pleasure. Suicidal thoughts
are common among people who suffer with depression. The deep despair
and hopelessness that goes along with depression can make suicide feel like
the only way to escape the pain. If one has a loved one with depression, they

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should take any suicidal talk or behavior seriously and learn to recognize the
warning signs (Smith, Saisan, and Segal).
In addition to feelings, actions and choices people make can result
from the behavior they acquire. Two symptoms they might have that change
the way they behave are withdrawing from people and substance abuse.
Social withdrawal is the most common tell-tale sign of depression. When
we're clinically depressed, there's a very strong urge to pull away from
others and to shut down," says Stephen Ilardi, PhD, professor of
psychology at the University of Kansas. "It turns out to be the exact opposite
of what we need."In depression, social isolation typically serves to worsen
the illness and how we feel," Ilardi says. "Social withdrawal amplifies the
brain's stress response. Social contact helps put the brakes on it (Soong).
People abuse substances such as drugs, alcohol, and tobacco for varied and
complicated reasons, but it is clear that Americas society pays a significant
cost. The toll for this abuse can be seen in Americas hospitals and
emergency departments through direct damage to health by substance
abuse and it is linked to physical trauma. Although, the use of some drugs
such as cocaine has declined, the use of other drugs such as heroin and
"club drugs" has increased. Abused substances produce some form of
intoxication that alters judgment, perception, attention, or physical control.
Many substances can bring on withdrawal, an effect caused by cessation or
reduction in the amount of the substance used (Substance Abuse).

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Depression is common in Americas world today, but can be dangerous

for anyone who has it. However, in todays world, treatments are available
for people who obtain or already have had depression. Treatments one could
obtain are medications, physiological therapy, and exercise. Scientists
sometimes stumble on new cures while theyre in the mildest of researching
another condition. Major advances in science sometimes come about by
accidental means such as a researcher intending a certain kind of result
from an experiment discovers something that is entirely different yet useful
for humanity (McIntosh, Kenneth, The History of Depression Page 64-65).
For example, Amoxapine is one of the most common antidepressants.
Amoxapines side effects are drowsiness, dry mouth, blurry vision, and
constipation. It is a prescription drug that is available as an oral tablet.
Another antidepressant is Amitriptyline. Which is used to help relieve
symptoms of depression. It comes in a tablet that one would take by mouth.
Some side effects for this drug include headache, blurred vision, and a state
of confusion. All patients taking amitriptyline should be observed closely for
worsening of depression symptoms, suicidal thought, and unusual changes in
behavior, especially during the first few months of therapy (Cherney).
In addition to helpful treatments, psychological therapy can have extra
attention on eliminating ones depression. Psychological treatments provide
either an alternative to medication or work alongside medication. As always,
a thorough assessment of the person is needed in order to decide on the
best set of approaches. Cognitive behavior therapy aims to show people how

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their thinking affects their moods and to teach them to think in a less
negative way about life and themselves. It is based on the understanding
that thinking negatively is a habit and like any other bad habit it can be
broken. Cognitive behavioral therapy, also known as CBT, is conducted by
trained therapists either in one-on-one therapy sessions or in small groups.
People are trained to look logically at the evidence for their negative
thoughts, and to adjust the way they view the world around them. The
therapist will provide homework for the time in between sessions. Between
six to ten sessions can be required, but the number will vary from person to
person. More recently, a number of online programs have been developed to
deliver CBT to people in their own homes. Interpersonal Therapy and
depression problems are interrelated. Moreover, the goal of interpersonal
therapy is to help a person understand how factors are operating in their
current life situation to lead them to become depressed and put them at risk
for future depression. The therapy usually requires twelve to sixteen sessions
(Psychological).
Exercise is a way in which people use to take their minds off of
depression; it is one of the most important activities for overcoming
depression. Exercise certainly is not a depression cure-all, but a study
published in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology found that heartpumping, endorphin-boosting workouts usually promote happiness.
Researchers say that more physically active people reported greater general
feelings of excitement and enthusiasm than less-active people and beyond

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its protective effect against feelings of depression, exercise may reduce

stress and help them secure a better nights sleep. That is why ones favorite
fitness routine can be an excellent addition to ones depression treatment
plan. Exercise stimulates the release of many of the brain chemicals that
are thought to be in low supply when someone is battling depression,
explains David Muzina, MD. Most experts recommend that one spends
twenty to thirty minutes of their time should be devoted to exercising per
week. Running, building muscles, walking, playing outside, or even bouncing
up and down can help depression. If one does these exercises, it can prevent
depression and make an individual happier (Myers).
In conclusion, depression can be serious and will affect the way one
performs in life. Depression can be a threatening brain disorder that can
cause one to have serious problems, not only with themselves, but with how
they react towards other people in serious situations. Knowing what
depression is, how it affects people, and the treatments people use are
outstanding ways to understand the aspects of how depression works and
how to avoid this serious illness. Although depression can be serious, it can
be avoided by following the proper treatments and by gaining a better
understanding about the illness.

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Works Cited
Cherney, Kristeen. "Depression Medications List." Healthline. Heathline
Media, 3 Nov. 2014. Web. 21 Feb. 2016.
<http://www.healthline.com/health/depression/medication-list>.

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Faris, Stephanie. "Is Depression Genetic?" Healthline. Healthline Media, 12

Aug. 2014. Web. 21 Feb. 2016.
<http://www.healthline.com/health/depression/genetic#Overview1>.
Iliades, Chris. "Depression's Effect on Your Appetite." EverydayHealth.com.
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effect-on-appetite/>.
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McIntosh, James. "Serotonin: Depression and SSRIs." Medical News Today.
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<http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/232248.php?page=2>.
McIntosh, James. "Serotonin: Facts, What Does Serotonin Do?" Medical News
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<http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/232248.php>.
McIntosh, Kenneth. The History of Depression. Philadelphia: Mason Crest,
2007. Print.
Myers, Wyatt. "7 Great Exercises To Ease Depression." EverydayHealth.com.
Everyday Health Media, LLC. Web. 21 Feb. 2016.

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<http://www.everydayhealth.com/depression-pictures/great-exercisesto-fight-depression.aspx>.
NHS Choices. A Genetic Link to Depression Exists. Genetic Link to
Depression Found. NHS. UK. 16 May, 2011. Rpt. In Depression. Eds.
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Parent, Linda. "Renewed Energy Makes It Easier to Manage Depression."
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Parks, Peggy J. Teen Depression. Michigan: Lucent, 2013. Print.
"Psychological." Depression: Psychological Treatments. Black Dog Institute, 1
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Rayburn, Nadine R., Suzanne L. Wenzel, Marc N. Elliot, Katrin
Hambarsoomians, Grant N. Marshall, and Joan S. Tucker. "Trauma,
Depression, Coping, and Mental Health Service Seeking Among
Impoverished Women." Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
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<http://psycnet.apa.org/psycinfo/2005-11147-010>.
Smith, Melinda. Saisan, Joanna. Segal, Jeanne. "Depression Symptoms and
Warning Signs." Depression Symptoms & Warning Signs: How to

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Recognize Depression Symptoms and Get Effective Help.

Helpguide.org, Feb. 2016. Web. 21 Feb. 2016.
<http://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/depression-signs-andsymptoms.htm>.

Soong, Jennifer. "Depression Traps: Social Withdrawal, Rumination, and

More." WebMD. WebMD LLC, 2005-20016. Web. 21 Feb. 2016.
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