Analysis of Chronic Illness - Literature review Example

Name : xxxxxxxxxxx Institution : xxxxxxxxxxx Title : Case Study Tutor : xxxxxxxxxxx Course : xxxxxxxxxxx @2010 Chronic illness Introduction There are different kinds of diseases which have come up in the present world. The severity of these diseases differs with the age of the individuals infected and according to the recent reports from physicians and health centres; the elderly are the most disadvantaged. The outbreak of these diseases is highly enhanced by: changes in the environment, eating habits or generally the lifestyles of people. People and especially those in the urban centres are neglecting the original the initial lifestyles and embracing new ways without minding the consequences; this is mostly done preferred so as to avoid hard work or because there are many activities taking place hence the available time is not enough. For example, many of them opt for canned foods or corn syrups and bottled soft drinks instead raw foods from the farms. Depression is one of the diseases affecting most of the people nowadays. A 68 yrs old lady from Darwin was brought into the Hospital by an ambulance after she was found to be possessing problems of withdrawal, sleepiness and disinterest; her house was in littered with many different kinds of foods. The nurse who had visited her suspected that she had a health problem so she rushed her to hospital (Kraines, 2000). Medical assessment of the condition of the patient The symptoms portrayed by the patient shows that the disorder she is suffering from is related to the operations of the brain. This means that the health practitioners should be conscious and so keen when handling this patient for her to corporate; otherwise she may not provide the information to help them identify the actual disorder. The condition of the patient can be assessed through a systematic measurements and evaluation of the psychological, social and biological aspects which can cause the illness. This is best achieved by carrying out a clinical interview with the patient whereby the patient gives necessary information such as family history, recent events and others like uses of uses or alcohol, the doctor will also be in a position to gather information concerning the appearance and behaviour of the patient, mood, speech, perceptions of things and intellectual. The patient can also be given a questionnaire to fill which involves algorithms, entailing questions whose answers are simple or having multiple choices; this is necessary if the information provided by the patient is not necessary or if she is not willing to respond to the oral questions. A physical examination can be carried on to check the effects of medication or drugs in case the patient has their history. It is important for the officers assessing the conditions of the patient to build a good rapport with her because at her age, she may be reluctant to give some of the information concerning her life and experiences or the symptoms she bears like withdrawal or lack of interests might have affected her social conditions hence she is most likely not to corporate when being interviewed. The lady is likely to be suffering from depression or any other related illness concern with the functioning of the brain. These conditions are associated with the symptoms that she portrays and also it is currently affecting most of elderly people of her age. The rate of these conditions in women is twice those of men as a result of some factors which are present in the lives or bodies of women and not in men. For example, hormonal factors associated with premenstrual syndrome, postpartum depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder and perimenopausal depression (Sartorius & Thomas, 1999). Signs and symptoms of depression Women are likely to develop pronounced feelings of guilt which makes them withdraw from group participation or be by themselves and rarely interact with others or share their feelings. They may also sleep excessively at their old age or suffer from a condition known as insomnia whereby they spend sleepless nights or wake up early. The most common symptom is lack of interest in the day to day activities and some of which were their hobbies. They do not have the ability to feel pleasure or joy in anything. Depressed women shows sudden changes in their appetite and weight, a noticeable loss or gain in weight and appetite of these women may be noted with a short time although most of them seem to overeat or are willing to taste any type of food they come across. The woman in case experienced this symptom since her house was found to be in full disarray with food. The affected woman becomes restless and irritability since their level of tolerance is low hence they are very conscious of anything or anyone around them. In all levels and types of depression, the patient suffers from hopelessness and helplessness which acts as a blinder of all visions in one’s life and one is convinced that nothing can improve the situation of her life (Brad & Beck, 2009). Causes of depression Depression occurs as a result of combination of different things taking place in the brains of the infected, it is mostly associated with lack of balance of the chemical (neurotransmitters) whose function is to carry signal to nerves and brains. However, there are some aspects which are associated with it: Family history, this is all about genetics. Depression can be transmitted through the genes and this is outlined by the fact that many members of a family are likely to suffer from it. Stress and trauma is also associated with depression. This is mostly due to changes in life and especially with negative effects, for example, after the death of a beloved one, breakup of relationships or financial problems. Physical conditions such as serious illnesses like HIV and cancer can also cause depression, this mostly happens if the person suffering is stigmatized by the society thus she is lonely or feels helpless. Persons with low self-esteem or with a negative perception of their lives are at a risk of being depressed. They do not live to the fullest or rarely recall better times in their lives but only meditates on either their sufferings or failures. Lack of social support or loneliness may also result to depression especially to the elderly. The report of the current research shows that most of the elderly people who are left on their own even with everything to satisfy their needs end up with depression (Evans, 2000). The development of the conditions of the above mentioned woman must have been enhanced by loneliness, health problems or problems of her marital life. This can be supported by the fact that she was found all alone and not interested with anything or anyone around her. Early child trauma or abuse like rape is also likely to be disturbing her psychology leading to her withdrawal or maybe she did a mistake like abortion which hence she is being haunted by the guilt. Assessment of the condition of the lady Depression exists in different forms and levels depending on its severity. Major depression is less severe and most of the people are able to support themselves to live with it without complications. It has another subtype-atypical depression whose different is in the symptoms. Dysthymia is another type whose symptoms are not severe like those of the major although they last for so long and makes it difficult for one to live to the fullest or recall the better times. The other form of depression is known as seasonal affective disorder which is associated with cold or wet weather. It is common with the young children and elderly in the northern climates. These types of depressions are caused by different factors and have differing symptoms. For example, dysthymia is caused by existence of serious illness like cancer, HIV or other disorderly conditions like bareness then the affected is left lonely. It is symbolized by loss of appetite and weight, disinterest or hopelessness (Sartorius & Thomas, 1999). The lady should be well interviewed so as to provide clear information concerning her condition for the doctor to use it identify the type of depression that she is suffering from. Questions concerning the history of the illness can provide information concerning it type, for example, if the condition becomes severe during the wet or cold seasons; it is possible to classify it as seasonal affective disorder. The information given by the patient about her life can be used to determine the possible causes of the illness. This involves such things as the experiences of earlier days, infections of serious diseases like cancer and so on. A physical examination may also be done to find the details of the information revealed by the interview of the patient. For example, if she says that she uses some drugs or she is infected by a certain chronic disease, a test can be done to check on the effect of the drugs that she uses or the conditions of the chronic illness hence determine the treatment to administer so as to reduce the severity of the condition. Knowing the form of depression dealing with makes it easier for the doctor to handle it and treat it. Management of the condition Depression is easily managed depending on the type and individual. After the doctor interviews and examines the lady to know the type of disorder as well as her personalities, he is able to give the necessary treatment or manage it when she is admitted in the ward. The doctor will also be able to give the patient the necessary advice on the best ways of living with it. Management of depression is best achieved after determining its causes and the possible ways of handling them. Positive attitudes towards life and all the activities taking place should be considered by both the doctor and the patient to be the first initiative towards handling of the condition. During the period when the lady is admitted in the hospital, effective treatments like some forms of therapy should be considered. This helps the doctor to get tools for treatment of depression from different perspectives, provides practical skills of changing the negative thinking of the patient and encouraging positive ways. Other ways of treating the disorder includes medication and other alternative treatments. The health practitioners should discuss with the lady the alternative ways of living so as to overcome those that cause the depression. For example, if it is due to some financial problem as a result of being sucked from the job the lady should be encouraged to try another career rather than remaining idle or depending on one which is not productive (Gin & Bridges, 1998). The best way of managing depression is by changing the perspective of things from negative to positive. This is well done by providing the patient with a conducive environment and encouraging her to embrace anything that enhances the reformation of her condition to the best. After the lady is discharged from the hospital, she should be encouraged follow all the instructions given by the doctor including the prescription of the medicine and regularly visit the health centres for check up. The doctor should discuss the causes of the condition with the lady and come up with the best possible ways of handling them. How she can be supported by the community The community plays the greatest role when managing depression. This is because those in it knows the history of lady, what she does, how she relates with others, her capabilities and disabilities or her best friend. This is important because even before she shares her problems some of the people know about it and some can even tell that which she cannot be able to tell. For example, if the lady has issues with her marital status or her relationship her friends or those in similar situations can encourage her; others can take time to convince her counterpart who may be hurting her. The members of the community can also encourage her in case she suffers some diseases or maybe has lost a beloved one. The community members visit each others or organize some communal activities like merry go round which encourages each ones’ contribution hence reducing the loneliness. The suffering lady should join these groups so as to avoid being lonely hence be able to fight the depression. These are some of the ways that the community can do to handle the conditions; it has a solution against any cause of depression. Although the community can put all the efforts to help the patient, she should be optimistic towards the efforts of solving the situations (Carolyn et al, 2008). Conclusion Depression is a condition which gradually develops from its minor status to worse conditions whereby the affected person thinks of committing suicide or others can go mad. It is associated with most of the conditions which affect the psychological status of people and mostly the elderly who are not able to handle most of the complications. In the present world, depression is very common because of the changes in the lifestyle of people. For example, some of the activities taking place in the society are resulting to critical illnesses like cancer and HIV which are affecting the psychological status of people hence causing depression. The financial crisis is also contributing to the development of the condition in case one has some financial problems. For one to management those condition, he or she should always try to be optimistic towards any changes taking place in life. Bibliography Kraines S., 2000, Mental depressions and their treatment, Macmillan, Macmillan. Brad A. & Beck T., 2009, Depression: Causes and Treatment, University of Pennsylvania Press, Pennsylvania. Evans D., 2000, Causes of depression: practice v. theory: reprinted from Fair-Trade, National Fair-Trade League, Mauritania. Sartorius N. & Thomas A., 1999, Assessment of depression, Springer, Michigan. Gin S. & Bridges K., 1998, Management of depression, Taylor & Francis, Philadelphia. Carolyn A., Baldwin R. & Burns A., 2008, Integrated Management of Depression in the Elderly, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Read More