Depression is a Psychological Problem: the Symptoms of Depression - Research Paper Example

?Depression Taylor mentioned that “About 12 million adults in the United s suffer from depression in a given year” (Taylor). Even though living standards of people all over the world increased a lot in the recent past, a variety of physical and psychological disorders are causing huge problems to them. Depression seems to be one of the major psychological problems affecting all people irrespective of their age, gender, culture or socioeconomic backgrounds. According to Klein, & Wender (2005), “somewhere between 10 and 30 percent depressives and manic depressives kill themselves” (Klein, & Wender, p.1). Many people have the illusion that depression is only a minor psychological problem. In reality, if left untreated, a person with depression problems may even commit suicide. Depression can occur to a person because of numerous reasons. Unpleasant life experiences, frustrations, failure to fulfill personal, social and professional commitments may lead towards depression. This paper analyses the symptoms causes and treatments of depression. Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, loss of interest in daily activities, appetite or weight changes, sleep changes, irritability or restlessness, loss of energy, self-loathing, concentration problems, unexplained aches and pains etc. are some of the signs and symptoms of depression (Understanding Depression). Depressive patients show many behavioral changes in their life. It is easy to identify those changes for the friends, relatives and family members. People with depression may not sleep well. They may roll on the bed because of their inability to fall asleep. Various thoughts haunt them and during night and day and they may show restlessness all the time. At one moment, people with depression may show a happy mood and in the next moment they may show a sorrow mood. They will never focus fully on a particular thing for a longer period. Unnecessary complaints are another symptom of depression. For example, people with depression often complain about body pain, head ache etc. even though they may not have any real physical problems. They wanted to convince others that they are undergoing severe physical problems. They will never move rapidly and fatigue can be witnessed in all their activities. Anxiety is another major symptom exhibited by depressive people. Even for silly things, they may develop huge amount of anxieties. For example, a depressive parent may wait anxiously until his/her child returns from school or college. She/he may ask why the child is getting late, many times to others. Severe physical diseases can lead towards mental diseases such as depression. According to Chan et al (2010), “as many as 38% of cancer patients suffer from major depression”(Chan et al, p.46). It should be noted that cancer is a serious disease which is causing more deaths in this world. Effective treatment for cancer disease is still unavailable and majority of the cancer patients have the feeling that their end is near. Thus, cancer patients may be forced to lead a life in which death may embrace them any time. Such a life will always generate immense stress in the minds of the patients and they may develop depression like psychological problems. Miller & Reynolds (2002) have mentioned that “low thyroid hormone, vitamin 13 deficiency, chronic pain, stroke or Alzheimer’s diseases, stroke injuries, many types of cancers, heart or lung problems that interfere with maintaining an adequate supply of oxygen to brain etc can cause depression” (Miller & Reynolds, p.36-45). In short, serious physical diseases can cause depression. According to Gilbert (2009), “too much and too little closeness can cause stress linked to depression” (Gilbert, p.48). It is a fact that some people develop strong intimacy towards others. If those people forced to separate from their intimate friends or relatives, they may develop depression. Klein &Wender (2005) mentioned that depressive illness is often triggered by a real event like the death of a loved one (Klein, & Wender, p.13). Same way too little closeness also develops depression. There are plenty of people who like to lead a lonely life. People with introvert personality often try to stay away from others. Proper socializing is necessary for maintaining good psychological health. Lonely life prevents people from getting proper socialization and the final outcome could be the development of depression among such people. It is difficult to treat depression with the help of a psychiatrist alone. A depressive person needs proper counseling from a clinical psychologist along with the medications of the psychiatrist. In other words, treatment of the body, as well as the mind is necessary in getting rid of depression problems. Most of the depression patients may not reveal the causes of their problems easily. Only an experienced psychologist will be able to force the patient to reveal his problems with the help of suitable techniques such as psychotherapy. Once the causes of the problems are identified, it is easy for the psychiatrist to prescribe suitable medicines for it. Several anti-depressants are available in the market for the treatment of depression. Treating depressive patients without medicine is always beneficial to the patient because of the concerns about the side effects of antidepressant medicines. For example, Xanax, one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in America, is used to treat anxiety. It belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. In rare cases, such drugs may cause depression, manic symptoms, memory impairment or difficulty concentrating. Sudden withdrawal may provoke signs of physical dependence and even seizures. Prozac another medicine used to treat depression can lead to depression nervousness, restlessness, insomnia, manic behavior, possible suicidal thoughts (Psychological Side Effects, 1992, p.1) These antidepressants promote sleep and eliminate unwanted thoughts. It should be noted that proper sleep is necessary to the depressive patient to settle his/ her agitated mind. In the case of a normal person, conscious mind will be active during day time and subconscious mind will be active during night time or sleeping. But in the case of a depressive patient, conscious mind may be active at all the time irrespective of day or night. Thus, the unpleasant memories stored in the conscious mind will be active all the time and, therefore, the patient may not get proper sleep. In order to force the patient to sleep well, doctors often prescribe sedatives or sleeping pills also as part of the treatment of depression. Social support, physical exercises, forcing life style changes etc. are some other means of treating depression. All the family members should cooperate properly with the treatment schedule prescribed by the doctor for the patient. Depressive patients need a healthy environment or home atmosphere to come out their problems. Only the family members can provide such healthy environments. Chan et al (2010) have mentioned that “lack of social support from family, friends, and significant others are the major reasons for the wide spreading of depression in the current world” (Chan et al, p.46). Proper treatment may enable a depressive patient to come back to his/her normal life. However, it is necessary to identify the problem as early as possible to begin the treatment immediately. Early interventions seem to be more effective than late interventions in the case of depression cases. To conclude, depression is a psychological problem seen among all people irrespective of their age, gender or culture. Anxiety, restlessness, constant mood swings, fatigue, slow movements, sleeplessness, etc. are some of the symptoms of depression. Various reasons were cited for the occurrence of depression. Loss of beloved ones, failure to fulfill personal or social commitments, physical diseases etc. can cause depression. Effective treatment of depression can be done with the help of medicines and counseling. Works Cited Chan Eric K. H., Limoges Kendice M,& Fung Tak S. “Functional Social Support and Major Depression In Cancer Patients”. 2010. Psychology Journal, 2010. Vol. 7, No. 2. Print. Gilbert, Paul. “Overcoming Depression: A Self-Help Guide Using Cognitive Behavioral Techniques”. 2009. Publisher: Basic Books; 3rd edition (September 8, 2009). Print Klein, Donald F.M.D & Wender, Paul M.D. “Understanding Depression: A Complete Guide to its Diagnosis and Treatment”. 2005. Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; Revised edition (May 12, 2005). Print Miller, Mark D M.D & Reynolds, Charles F, M.D. “Living Longer Depression Free: A Family Guide to Recognizing, Treating, and Preventing Depression in Later Life”. 2002. Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press; 1 edition (September 23, 2002). Print “Psychological Side Effects”.1992. Web. 08 April 2012. Taylor, Karen. “Prognosis of Depression”. 2011. Web. 08 April 2012. http://www.ehow.com/about_5483925_prognosis-depression.html “Understanding Depression”. 2011. Web. 08 April 2012. http://helpguide.org/mental/depression_signs_types_diagnosis_treatment.htm Read More