Pierce Gierloff Health Depression Essay Depression Depression is a - - PDF document

Pierce Gierloff Health Depression Essay Depression Depression is a very serious, but also very treatable disorder that concerns millions of people every day, it can be defined as a feeling of severe despondency and dejection. Depression has always been a health problem for humans, depression was originally referred to as melancholia and was first recorded in ancient Mesopotamian times. Signs and Symptoms There are many precursors to depression; the most common of which are always feeling fatigued or having a decrease in energy overall. A feeling of worthlessness or helplessness is also common, people often report feeling persistent sadness, anxious, or having suicidal thoughts. Many symptoms of depression are cumulative and individually are not as severe, though combined can be dangerous to live with without getting help. There are nine major types of depression that are commonly referred to including; Major Depression, Persistent Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Psychotic Depression, Postpartum Depression, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), 'Situational' Depression, and Atypical Depression. The most commonly found ones are chronic depression as well as major depression. (Dealing with Depression) Statistics— Depression is one of the highest growing medical conditions, with approximately 14.8 million Adults aged 18+ in the United States dealing with it. It is thought that as much as 1:33 children and 1:8

adolescents suffer from clinical depression. Depression can occur at any point in someone’s life though it is found to start in most people at the age of 33. Depression can only be categorized as depression if it persists for a duration of 3 weeks or longer. Depression commonly occurs alongside other illnesses, it has been found that roughly 25% of all cancer victims also suffer from depression, while 10-27% of all stroke victims, as well as 1:3 of all HIV

• patients. This is because these other illnesses are triggers for high stress and that causes depression in

most others. (Hotline Symptoms) Prevention/Treatments/Is it curable? There are no sure fire ways to prevent depression, some cases of depression are caused by a lack of nerve ending in a specific part of your brain, though in most cases it is treatable. A use of good habits including healthier eating, regular exercise, and taking time out of your day for activities that don’t involve stress help to prevent depression from setting in. Other known causes of depression are from a trigger of sudden stress or change, like sudden diagnosis of an illness, or a change in one’s personal life. One way to help prevent depression is to reduce as much stress as one can, this can include taking on less responsibilities at work, while also finding things that are less stressful to you. (Dealing with Depression) The treatment for depression changes based upon the severity of the depression. In most cases prescription of antidepressants, which work by effecting the nerve endings will help with feeling of depression, though in serious cases the use of electric shock treatment has been reported being used to help end depression. If symptoms persist, psychotherapy can be used to help and work out why the depression is occurring and how to go about fixing it. Costs of treatment or care

Because there is a variety of treatment methods, the cost of treatment can vary depending on the severity of the depression. In most cases the cost of a licensed psychologist ranges from $80-$300. Antidepressants, the most common way to fight depression, can range from $21 to upwards of $1,000 per month and most insurance companies do cover this medicine for the patient. ( Consumer Reports) Causes While depression is a much misunderstood disorder and in many cases it is unable to be completely traced back to its origin, many people get depression because of past abuse in their lives. This could be a death or a loss of a loved one, genetics, conflict, or from a certain medication. Serious illness has been linked to depression, this is due to the mood that people are in when they become

• depressed. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Where to get help/treatment/care For immediate help there are many 1-800 numbers that can be called to talk to someone right

• away. Getting help from a licensed medical profession is your best bet to get the proper help and to be

completely diagnosed. There are many groups that get together and work through the symptoms of depression together. Common over the counter medication can also help fight the symptoms of depression, though in most cases getting a prescription for antidepressants is the most effective way to fight depression. (Depression symptoms)

Work Cited

• "Depression." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention, 04 Oct. 2013. Web. 10 Mar. 2016.

• "Depression Symptoms, Warning Signs, Types, and Complications." WebMD. WebMD, n.d.
• Web. 10 Mar. 2016.
• "Hotline Information." Depression Statistics. Chimney Innovations, n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016.
• Susan. "Patient Stories | The Depression Hope Center." The Depression Hope Center Patient

Stories Comments. Neuronetics, n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2016.

• Smith, Melissa. "Dealing with Depression." : Self-Help and Coping Tips to Overcome Depression.

Help Guide, Mar. 2016. Web. 11 Mar. 2016.

• "Best Antidepressant Treatments - Consumer Reports." Best Antidepressant Treatments -

Consumer Reports. Consumer Reports, Sept. 2013. Web. 11 Mar. 2016.