Mood Disorders and Depression - Speech or Presentation Example

Clinical depression is almost always treatable. Drugs are prescribed which can provide relief to a patient within a span of a few weeks or may take up to a couple of months to show results. In cases of less chronic depression psychotherapy, either individual or group is an effective treatment for mood disorders.

The three major types of depression are Major Depression, Dysthymia, and Bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is also known as manic-depressive illness. In such a condition a person has cyclic mood changes. The mood swings from severe high to severe low. The three different forms of clinical depression are Physical, Behavioral, and Emotional. In the Physical form of clinical depression, a person tends to have sleep-related disorders, changes in eating patterns, low levels of energy, and fatigue. In behavioral depression, people tend to derive less joy from hitherto pleasurable activities.

In such cases, the sufferer finds it difficult to take decisions, remember things, and lacks concentration. They neglect taking care of their appearance and do not take up responsibilities. Emotional depression is characterized by suicidal thoughts, feelings of hopelessness, and guilt. They cry for no apparent reason and feel persistently sad for two weeks or more. In assessing and treating such a condition, Hood and Johnson (1991) state that “assessment is an integral part of counseling...[and] provides information that can be used in each step of the problem-solving model” (p. 11). Sommers-Flanagan, J and Sommers-Flanagan (2009) in their outstanding book on Counseling state that before and during the assessment process ethical considerations should be adhered to.

Assessment - In trying to assess the level of depression the individual has, I made use of the Goldberg Depression Questionnaire.
Instructions - Though the Goldberg scale cannot take the place of professional help in detecting or diagnosing depression, it could act as a good guide in tracking an individual’s moods regularly. However, in case the person knows for sure that they are depressed, it is better to reach out for help from a mental health professional. Read More