Research Assessment #3

Date: October 27, 2016

Subject: Psychiatry

MLA Citation: "Depression Increasing across the United States." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily,

30 Sept. 2014. Web. 27 Oct. 2016.

Assessment:

A prevalent issue amongst modern day americans is depression. The signs and

symptoms are becoming so common that many are not even aware that they are even

struggling with the disorder. Although the cause is not completely certain, the trend will impact

the psychiatric field significantly.

The article states that teenagers are twice as likely to have seen a professional for their

mental health issues than their 1980s counterparts. Although the increase in this disorder can

only be considered sad, it does provide a promising future for psychiatrists as their need will

only increase. As more and more individuals are seeking professional help, the field of

psychiatry increase proportionately.

In contrast to the rise of the disorder, the rate of suicides amongst teenagers had

actually decreased. The article explains that this is most likely due to the antidepressants used

to treat the depression. Although psychiatrists cannot prevent the rise of the disorder, they are

responsible for the decline of suicide rates. This is encouraging because it means that the field

is upholding its duties and truly helping people suffering from this disorder.

Overall, the article showed me that the field of psychiatry will not only still be thriving in

the future, but will also still be providing extensive care to the rising disorders. This gives me

hope because it proves to me psychiatrists will still be needed in the future and that their morals

and what they stand for will also still be intact.

Depression increasing across the United States

A study by San Diego State University psychology professor Jean M. Twenge
shows Americans are more depressed now than they have been in decades.

Analyzing data from 6.9 million adolescents and adults from all over the country, Twenge found that Americans now report

more psychosomatic symptoms of depression, such as trouble sleeping and trouble concentrating, than their counterparts

in the 1980s.

"Previous studies found that more people have been treated for depression in recent years, but that could be due to more

awareness and less stigma," said Twenge, the author of "Generation Me: Why Today's Young Americans are More

Confident, Assertive, Entitled -- and More Miserable than Ever Before." "This study shows an increase in symptoms most

people don't even know are connected to depression, which suggests adolescents and adults really are suffering more."

Compared to their 1980s counterparts, teens in the 2010s are 38 percent more likely to have trouble remembering, 74

percent more likely to have trouble sleeping and twice as likely to have seen a professional for mental health issues.

College students surveyed were 50 percent more likely to say they feel overwhelmed, and adults were more likely to say

their sleep was restless, they had poor appetite and everything was an effort -- all classic psychosomatic symptoms of

depression.

"Despite all of these symptoms, people are not any more likely to say they are depressed when asked directly, again

suggesting that the rise is not based on people being more willing to admit depression," said Twenge.

The study also found that the suicide rate for teens decreased, though the decline was small compared to the increase in

symptoms of depression. With the use of anti-depressant medications doubling over this time period, Twenge speculates

that medication may have helped those with the most severe problems but has not reduced increases in other symptoms

that, she says, can still cause significant issues.

Twenge's findings were published in the journal Social Indicators Research, and an updated and revised edition of

"Generation Me" is being released today.