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Depression

Alika Ismailova

12th Grade ELA Section 2

Mr. Janosch

Nov. 28, 2017

350 million of people, which is 5% of the world's population suffers from depression

(Healthline). An increase in depression diagnostics over the years shows the regression of the

human ability to handle stressful situations. Caused by different factors depression affects people

of both genders, all ages, and any background.

There are different factors that can affect our health and lead to development of depression.

Some factors might be causes of internal or external disbalance. Some of the causing conditions

are,​ “Obstructive sleep disorder (OSD), stressful environments, childhood precursors,

deteriorating physical health, adverse life events or experiences such as loss of a loved one or

job, and the use of antidepressants medications are possible causes” (​About Depression 2011).

This shows how the causes of depression can be easily experienced by the people in today's

modern world. These causing conditions are not hard to develop, which increases the risk of

further development of depression. Different diseases affect different parts of the body,

"Research indicates that depressive illnesses are disorders of the brain"​ ("Depression"). Brain

plays an important role in human’s body. It serves as the control center of the body that

regulates all the important aspects of person's body, behavior, development, and state of health.

When the brain being damaged it can lead to difficulties in person’s life and health. As the

Harvard University states, ​“Certain areas of the brain help regulate mood. Researchers believe

that — more important than levels of specific brain chemicals — nerve cell connections, nerve

cell growth, and the functioning of nerve circuits have a major impact on depression”​ (“What

causes depression” 2017). The brain plays one of the major roles in development and progression

of depression.
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There are three major types of depression: major depression, bipolar disorder, and seasonal

affective disorder. The most common type is major depression. While having a major depression

it may be ,​ “...difficult to work, study, sleep, eat, and enjoy friends and activities”​ (“Major

depression”) . Major depression changes person’s normal mood and behavior. To diagnose it as

major depression symptoms should be present at least for 2 weeks (“Major depression”). If the

symptoms appear once in awhile it is probably just the mood swings. Similar to major depression

the seasonal affective disorder shows the same symptoms. However, the seasonal affective

disorder is “... a mood disorder that has a seasonal pattern” (“Types of depression”). It means

that it appears in certain time of the year during the certain season. This is the least damaging

type of depression for the person’s health as it’s form is not severe. The most uncommon type of

depression is bipolar disorder, which most likely being passed by genetics. ​“Bipolar disorder

used to be known as 'manic depression' because the person experiences periods of depression and

periods of mania, with periods of normal mood in between” ​(“Types of depression”). The

behavior of person with this type of depression is very unpredictable because of the constant

change in the mood and emotional stability. Among all of the depression types the common

symptoms are the feeling of unworthiness, sadness, and guilt. When the symptoms acquire a long

term existence, it is important that person will receive some sort of a support from a specialist,

family or a friend.

There is a difference in physical and emotional condition of depressed person. For depressed

person nothing seems comforting, pleasurable, or worth living for. In a lot of cases person

believes that for others things would be better without them. For depressed person, ​"What was

challenging feels overwhelming; what was sad feels unbearable; what felt joyful feels
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pleasureless" ​(W. Lubow, 2013). The lack of motivation and purpose of existence are lost for

the person. The melancholic state of being becomes an everyday routine. Things lose its value

and even being successful at some point will not give any feeling of pride or enjoyment. As well

as shift of emotional balance the physical change takes place in the nerve system of the brain.

“Certain areas of the brain help regulate mood. Researchers believe that — more important than

levels of specific brain chemicals — nerve cell connections, nerve cell growth, and the

functioning of nerve circuits have a major impact on depression” ​(Harvard Medical School).

When functioning of the nerve cells being damaged the depression can form more severe and

serious condition. Scientists say that, “ Brain cells usually produce levels of neurotransmitters

that keep senses, learning, movements, and moods perking along. But in some people who are

severely depressed or manic, the complex systems that accomplish this go awry” (Harvard

Medical School). When one of the brain's system gets awry, the depression acquires more

harmful stage that will involve more complex treatment. There are 3 most important parts of the

brain system, which are "amygdala, thalamus, and hippocampus". Amygdala associated with

emotions such as anger, pleasure, fear, and sexual arousal; thalamus is in charge of movement,

reaction, thinking, and speech; hippocampus controls memory. (Harvard Medical School).

When depression is not being treated in the right time or in the right way, the systems are more

exposed for the damages. There are two scenarios of how it can be: developed depression can

lead to the damage of the nerve system, or the damage of the nerve system can lead to

depression. Both ways are very unpleasing and damaging for person’s health.
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It is very common for depression to be ignored or untreated. If noticing symptoms in someone

you know, it is important to seek for help. Primary care doctors can diagnose and treat

depression. If the symptoms are not getting better and getting worse, it is recommended to ask

your healthcare provider for a referral to a psychiatrist for diagnosis and treatment. (“How is

depression diagnosed”). In the beginning and not serious stage of depression getting help from

psychologist can be a helpful option for treating the disease. If the depression became a severe

problem, then the psychotherapist is the one who will be needed to help. There are different

therapies used to help the patients. ​“Three of the more common methods used in depression

treatment include cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and psychodynamic

therapy”​ (‘Depression treatment’). These therapies are based on talking sessions that help the

patient to open up and share emotions and feelings. Which also helps the doctor to see the cause

of the problem in order to help the patient. As well as one on one sessions there are also group

therapies. One of the benefits of group therapies is, "In group therapy, listening to peers going

through the same struggles can validate your experiences and help build self-esteem"

(“Depression Treatment”). Getting support from others and be around people that can understand

you is a very important key to the healing of depression. It is important to get help on time when

the talking therapies can serve as a helpful treatment. But in some cases these therapies do not

give any improvements and results. This happens when depression is very severe and harmful.

If this is the case, then the psychiatrist will prescribe medication for the patient as a form of

treatment. Antidepressants are prescribed by doctor as a treatment. There are different types of

antidepressants and different dosages that are prescribed (“Depression”). According to statistics,

“Antidepressants are currently prescribed more than at any other point in the past two decades.
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One in 10 Americans takes them” ( Rivas, 2015). This shows that depression disorder is a very

common problem among american nation. Antidepressants are helpful for the nerve cells that are

damaged or work improperly in the brain of depressed person. “Serotonin is a neurotransmitter

associated with feeling of wellbeing and happiness. These chemicals are naturally produced in

the brain but might be produced in lower quantities in people with depression” ( Rivas, 2015).

Antidepressants serve as a source of this chemical that help to communication of the nerve cells.

Scientist believe if the nerve cells communicate better it reduces the feeling of hopelessness,

negativity and sadness (Rivas, 2015). For the medication to start working it will take at least 3-4

weeks (Greenlaw). However, in some cases the medication might not work or even cause side

effects for the person taking them. In this case the doctor will stop the treatment or replace the

medication with the one that may be more successful. Some of the side effects from medication

can be, “...headache, nausea, sleeplessness, weight gain…” (Greenlaw). If the side effects last for

too long, then doctor will also consider the change of medication. It is very important for the

patient to be under control of the doctor while taking the medicine. Because each individual can

have different reaction to medicine, in some cases the effects can be dangerous. Antidepressants

can have life-threatening effects, so before prescribing it to a patient doctor will do a lot of

different tests and checks to reduce the risk for the patient (Rivas, 2015). Psychiatrists are

responsible for their patients, so they pay very close attention to all the details and aspects of the

treatment that they are prescribe.

Depression often co-exists with other mental or physical illnesses. “Research is showing,

more and more, that mood disorders (depression and bipolar disorder, also called manic

depression) and other physical illnesses affect one another” (“Depression and other illnesses”).
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This means that one disease can affect the development or treatment of other ones. For example,

“Data from a recent DBSA Consensus Conference supported the finding that people with

depression have a higher risk of developing heart disease” (​“Depression and other illnesses”).

As depression affects the brain, it also affects the blood circulation. “One reason for this may be

that a lack of serotonin in the bloodstream may cause blood platelets to stick together more

frequently and cause more blockages in the arteries” (“Depression and other illnesses”).

As heart diseases related to blood pressure and blood circulation the blockage can be a big cause

for development of a heart diseases. There is also an opposite relation when having one disease

can increase the risk of developing depression. One of examples is, ​“Depression is also prevalent

among people with HIV who have a two-fold greater risk of developing a mood disorder than the

general population” ​(Goodwin). As for the person with HIV, there is a lot of different restrictions

that have to apply to this person's life. All this, as well as the issue with the social life, puts a lot

of pressure on the person. What can easily become a cause of depression development. Some of

the other examples where depression relates to other diseases are, ​“Ten to fifteen percent of

people with diabetes experience one or more major depressive episodes and the risk of

developing some cancers is 10-25% higher in people with depression than in people without a

mood disorder” ​(“Depression and other illnesses”). This serves as very good examples of how

depression can be harmful for person’s health in many different ways. So, it is important to start

the treatment on time to prevent very harmful consequences that are possible to occur.

It can be very helpful to know the ways of how to prevent development of depression. The

most important thing to keep in mind is having a healthy lifestyle. Playing sports and staying

active can be one of the helpful solutions. ​“Exercise appears to be an antidepressant in its own
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right and may act as an antidote to stress” ​(Sanacora). It is often being said that healthy body

contains healthy mind, and it is proven by doctors. To keep healthy is also important to choose

the healthy diet for everyday eating routine. ​“A low-fat diet, rich in fish, especially omega-3s,

and folic acid can be helpful for mood. And avoiding alcohol and minimizing caffeine use is also

helpful” ​(Dr. Marusak). In order to stay healthy our body needs to consume enough vitamins,

minerals and products that are important for our physical and mental well being. In order to be

healthy it is important to stay social and surround yourself with positivity and good emotions.

For example, make sure you spend time doing things you enjoy, and try to surround yourself

with people whom you like and make you feel good about yourself (Sanacora). The environment

of a person plays an important role because it is true that person adopts to what is surrounding.

While surrounding ourselves with positive people, emotions, and events, we adjust our minds to

more of a positive thinking and create more of a positive perspective on things around us.

As well as getting energy from food and positivity out body also needs energy from rest.

“Sleep is a cornerstone of health, like food. If it goes unattended, the body and mind cannot

function properly. Regulating sleep can really help prevent depression and relapse” ​(Irwin).

In order to stay healthy, we need to get enough rest every day to recharge our body. Not getting

enough sleep can become the reason for low energy, irritation and overall weak state of being.

Very often we take the little amount of sleep as something normal, but it can bring serious

consequences later causing some health issues that should not be ignored. Another big factor for

staying healthy is avoiding usage of alcohol and drugs​. “Alcohol is a depressant, and many street

drugs deplete serotonin and dopamine, which are important neurotransmitters in relation to

mood"​ (Dr. Marusak). It is damaging for the person to overuse alcohol and drugs. By taking it
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the person having a false perspective of reality, what can become a cause of taking unthoughtful

decisions with harmful consequences. In order to stay healthy, there is a lot of things the person

needs to consider. Not everyone can keep up with all of the healthy routines and restrictions. But,

it is always good to give a try towards healthy lifestyle. This can help to be a prevention not only

of depression but as well as other harmful diseases. However, it is not promised that by

committing to a healthy lifestyle the person won’t have depressive disorder. Because of the other

factors that play an important role in depression development, healthy lifestyle serves as a

suggestion for a better state of health overall. What can also reduce the risk of having depression.
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Works Cited

"17 Ways to Avoid Depression Relapse." ​Health.com​, 4 Aug. 2011,

www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20431660,00.html#take-care-of-your-health.

"Depression and Associated Physical Diseases and Symptoms." ​PubMed Central (PMC)​,

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3181771/.

"Depression and Other Illnesses - Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance." ​Depression &

Bipolar Support Alliance - Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance​,

www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=education_depression_other_illnesses.

"Depression In Women." 1 Nov. 2013,

www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/depression-women.

"Depression Treatment: Therapy, Medication, and Lifestyle Changes That Can Treat

Depression." www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/depression-treatment.htm.

"Depression: Facts, Statistics & You."

www.healthline.com/health/depression/facts-statistics-infographic#3.

"Facts & Statistics | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA."

adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics.

"A fuzzy inference system for predicting depression risk levels." Nov. 2013,

www.academicjournals.org/journal/AJMCSR/article-full-text-pdf/1190B0041983.
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Harvard Health Publishing. "What causes depression? - Harvard Health."

www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/what-causes-depression.

"How Antidepressants and Depression Medication Can Affect Your Life." ​WebMD​,

www.webmd.com/depression/features/antidepressant-effects#2.

"How Antidepressants Work In The Brain."

www.medicaldaily.com/how-antidepressants-work-brain-comprehensive-guide-336250.

Wasserman, Danuta. ​Depression​. Oxford UP, 2011.

"What It's Like Inside a Depressed Person's Head." 10 Jan. 2013,

www.goodtherapy.org/blog/inside-head-depressed-person-0110134.