DEPRESSION

Depression

Depression

Depression is a common occurrence that everyone has experienced in some way throughout the course of his or her lives - from feeling 'blue' to clinical depression. Depression is generally known as "the most common and oldest of all disorders" (Swann, et. al 2008) and is considered a crisis. It can happen to anyone regardless of age, sex, person, status or occupation, is one of the "most serious and prevalent mental disorders" and affects approximately 14 million people in North America alone (Swann, et. al 2008). Depression is a normal healthy reaction to some of the events that occur in a person's life. In this paper, I will attempt to define what the crisis of depression is, the symptoms and some forms of treatment.

What is Depression?

     Depression is a sense or a feeling of sadness, gloom and despair that includes symptoms that affect the whole person - cognitively behaviorally, emotionally, and physically. If these symptoms are severe, chronic or if they happen repeatedly, they will interfere with relationships, work and the daily living of the person (Swann, et. al 2008).

     Depression is a symptom or a message that brings our attention to something that is wrong or neglected in our lives; or that we are in over our head and need help (Swann, et. al 2008). Depression can be a disease in itself - where there is a chemical imbalance in the brain. "In its most severe form, the psychotic depressions, it is an illness category of its own" (Swann, et. al 2008). Depression can also be a normal reaction to losses that are experienced in life. Wright describes it as a "protective device that can remove us from stress and give us time to recover if we use it in that way" (Swann, et. al 2008).

The depressed person usually has a poor view of self, others, the future, and of God (Collins, 105). They lose the right perspective of life and thus look through their distorted perceptions. Cognitive symptoms can include negative or pessimistic thinking patterns, hopelessness, difficulty in concentration and focus, memory recall problems, self-criticism, lack of motivation, and thoughts of suicide (Swann, et. al 2008). The person has many false beliefs that have begun "to invade the person's minds and are typically negative" (Swann, et. al 2008).

Physical symptoms may include loss of appetite, physical illnesses, loss of sexual drive, insomnia, sleeping all the time, fatigue, and weight changes (Swann, et. al 2008). They generally have a feeling of not wanting to do anything but sleep or lying around watching television.

Emotional symptoms include feelings of unhappiness, sadness, feeling blue, irritability, guilt (real or imagined), nervousness, anxiety and fears (Swann, et. al 2008). They may be an emotional mess because they are really oversensitive to others and may overreact or misinterpret situations (Swann, et. al 2008). Their general sense of self-esteem is low and negative and they do not feel value (Swann, et. al 2008). They will probable have "difficulty in handling most of his feelings, especially ...