Depression: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment - Research Paper Example

? Depression March 9, Depression Introduction and brief history The earliest writings associated with depression describe the disorder as being an unstable and disturbed mental state that caused fear and despondency in the patient. In the many centuries since its initial discovery, we have since come to understand that depression is a “medical illness that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest” (Harms par. 1). Depression is no longer thought to be a state of mind, but a mood disorder that can present itself mentally, emotionally, and physically. Depression is split into categories based on the cause of depression and the intensity of the symptoms that an individual experiences. These branches of depression, which will be discussed herein, include manic depression, seasonal depression, and postpartum depression. Our knowledge of depression dates back as far as ancient Greece. In those days, due to the lack of understanding of what depression and its causes were, depression was referred to as melancholia. It was a dark mood that people would succumb to, but it was believed that it was a state of mind that could be overcome with proper treatment. Given its depth in history, it has never been determined who originally discovered depression. However, it was approximately around the fourteenth century when the disorder was no longer being referred to as melancholia as physicians began to understand the consequences of the mood disorder. In 1665, English author Richard Baker used the word depression to describe the emotions and physical symptoms that accompany the medical condition as we know it today. As the existence of depression dates back many centuries, there is a plethora of studies and literature at our disposal that have allowed us to gain a better understanding of depression’s many aspects. In these modern times, we are continuing to combine our innovative technology and current understanding of depression with the findings that have been given to us from the generations of the past. With this abundance of information, we are gradually approaching total comprehension of this universal mental disorder, including definite causes and more promising methods of treatment and prevention. Who is at risk? Depression is among many of the mood disorders that has no defined demographics. While depression is most common in African Americans, females, and persons between the ages of forty and fifty-nine (Johnson & Miller 246), there is not a single person exempt from the possibility of developing this disorder. The risk of becoming afflicted does not center so much on one’s age, gender or ethnicity, but on their mental state, the environment in which they live, and the circumstances surrounding their life. For example, individuals who work in law enforcement, the military, as an emergency responder, or in a hospital or emergency room are at a high risk for developing many of the aforementioned types of depression. Symptoms Regardless of the type of depression that an individual has been diagnosed with, the symptoms are primarily the same for each subtype. The criteria outlined in the DSM-IV TR for depression states that individuals “must have a total of five symptoms for at least two weeks and represent a change from previous functioning. At least one of the symptoms must be depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure” (American Psychiatric Association 591). These symptoms include a consistently depressed mood; a lack of interest in activities or hobbies that once held pleasure; significant weight loss or weight gain, or an increase or decrease in daily appetite; insomnia; restlessness; loss of energy; feelings or guilt or worthlessness; an inability to concentrate; and thoughts of death, or contemplation of or attempted suicide. Other characteristics need to be taken into consideration before a diagnosis can be made. One such characteristic is that the symptoms that an individual is experiencing must be causing distress or otherwise impairing social, familial, and occupational functions. The symptoms cannot be as a result of recreational drugs, medication, alcohol, or a medical condition unrelated to depression or similar mood disorders. Furthermore, the symptoms, though they may be similar to those associated with depression, cannot be related to the loss of a loved one unless the symptoms persist for two or more months, or to another mood or psychological disorder that has already been diagnosed. Additional symptoms that can exist among patients of depression include drastic changes in behavior. These symptoms are not essential to being diagnosed with depression, but can come about as a result of being depressed. Changes in behavior that are common in patients with depression are, as previously mentioned, suicidal tendencies or behavior, turning to alcohol or drugs as an attempt to feel better, and violent outbursts toward others. Theories of causation Since depression was discovered many centuries ago, doctors, scientists, and psychologists have attempted to make sense of what causes depression to occur. Instead of finding a single cause, these specialists have concluded that there are many triggers of depression. The most common causes are life events and one’s immediate environment. Some people are in situations or surrounded by people or events that play with their well-being, such as high levels of stress, the death of a loved one in which the feelings of depression last for more than two months, or trauma that was experienced as a child, such as physical or sexual abuse or neglect. As previously mentioned, individuals that work in environments that involve dealing with sick or injured patients on a daily basis are susceptible to developing depression. It has been said about most mood disorders, depression included, that “genetics loads the gun and the environment pulls the trigger” (Beck & Alford 15). These individuals are often predisposed to depression or other mood disorders, but it isn’t until they are placed in a subjective environment that the disorder rears its ugly head. Depression is also believed to be biological and hereditary. Though it is currently only speculation, there is sufficient evidence to suggest that people who have depression have physical changes and differences in their brains compared to those who have not been diagnosed with depression or another mood disorder. The significance of these differences is still to be determined. Similarly, many medical specialists believe that there is a gene that makes depression a hereditary disorder. This hypothesis has been considered as a cause of depression as many individuals who have been diagnosed with depression have close family members who have also been diagnosed; indeed, many families can trace patterns through their relatives of who does or does not have depression, sometimes even going as far as accurately predicting the next family member to be diagnosed. Hormones and neurotransmitters also play roles in the emergence of depression. When a body’s hormones become unbalanced, so does one’s emotions. The chemicals in the brain do not work as they are supposed to, which can result in a plethora of mood disorders, including depression. Likewise, neurotransmitters, which are naturally occurring brain chemicals whose task it is to regulate one’s mood, can malfunction, thus prompting the onset of depression. The body is a delicate, complex system, and if one component is not working properly, the rest of the body tends to suffer. Depression is a prime example as to how this breakdown takes place. Subtypes of depression The causes and symptoms of depression can differ between the subtypes of the disorder. As previously stated, the subtypes of depression are manic depression, seasonal depression, and postpartum depression. Manic depression, which is also known as bipolar disorder, is very similar to depression in regard to causes. Environment does not play as big a role in manic depression. The symptoms, however, differ in the sense that manic depression is characterized by manic highs and depressive lows. Individuals who suffer from manic depression are subjected to intense mood swings that can take them from elated to suicidal without forewarning. These individuals also have moments of blacking out and being unaware of their actions. Seasonal depression, or seasonal affective disorder, occurs for people at the same time each year, and is caused by the changing of seasons. While it is common for people to develop seasonal depression at the start of winter and feel better by the start of spring, there are some individuals whose seasonal depression begins in the summertime. This form of depression is fairly ordinary and there are many people who suffer from it without knowing it; they often consider it “cabin fever” or blame it on “the holidays.” Symptoms are minor, consisting primarily of restlessness and losing pleasure in favorite hobbies, usually ones that are season-related. Postpartum depression is a rare subtype and only experienced by women approximately a month after giving birth. After a child is born, the hormones of the mother decreases, prompting mood swings. Women can also develop postpartum depression when they lose sleep or feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities of having a child. This depression subtype shares many of the symptoms of primary depression, though it has the unique symptom of a woman having difficulty in bonding with their baby. Postpartum depression is easily treated but can persist up to a year if a woman does not seek help. Treatment and intervention There are numerous treatment methods available for patients of depression. Each person is unique in how they should be treated, and what works for one may only hinder the recovery of another. A combination of medication and psychological counseling are often recommended for most people. In extreme cases, such as if the patient is suicidal or threatening to harm others, hospitalization or psychiatric evaluation are first utilized; once the patient’s mental state has stabilized, psychotherapy can be undergone. The medications available to depression patients are in two forms, inhibitors and antidepressants. Inhibitors alter the chemical processes of the brain to allow the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine to work more effectively or to increase in quantity if the individual has a low level of neurotransmitters. Common inhibitors include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), norepinephrine and dopamine uptake inhibitors (NDRIs), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Selective serotonin uptake inhibitors are among the most prescribed medications to treat depression as they are the most effective and have the fewest side effects, making these inhibitors one of the safest methods of depression treatment. The side effects of the other reuptake inhibitors are minimal with the worst being the risk of seizures while on NDRIs. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are used when other medications have been unsuccessful given their potentially deadly side effects. Antidepressants are not as common in treating depression as their name might suggest. These are implemented into a treatment plan when inhibitors have not decreased the frequency of symptoms. Tricyclic antidepressants treat the feelings of hopelessness that an individual may feel as a result of depression; atypical antidepressants are similar to tricyclic except that they are sedating and are therefore used at night. The side effects are minimal and include weight gain, insomnia, and dry mouth. There are also two types of therapy in the treatment of depression, which are psychotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy. Psychotherapy allows a depression patient to discuss their depression with a specialized healthcare professional in a safe and comfortable environment. While attending psychotherapy, an individual can come to better understand the causes of their depression as well as beneficial ways to handle having the disorder. Therapists can also assist their patients with making changes in their lifestyles to help ease the symptoms associated with their depression. Electroconvulsive therapy is an unconditional method of therapy that involves sending electric currents through the brain. Though very few people rely on this form of therapy, it has been proven to offer immediate relief from even the most severe cases of depression (Fitzgerald & Hoy 133). As the electric currents pass through the brain, the levels of neurotransmitters are affected. The result is similar to that of inhibitors, though electroconvulsive therapy works significantly faster. The side effects include confusion and memory loss, both of which are temporary. Conclusion Depression is a mood disorder that cannot always be cured. Many people may not have another depressive episode after treatment, while others stand the risk of being subjected to their symptoms in the future. The treatments currently available to depression patients allow relief from their symptoms, and therapy can help them to build a lifestyle to keep the disorder at bay. While much is known about this mood disorder, specialists in science and medicine continue the search for complete understanding of all facets of depression so that individuals who suffer from this disorder stand a chance at achieving happiness and contentedness. Works Cited American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-IV-TR. 4 ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association, 2000. Print. Beck, Aaron T., and Brad A. Alford. Depression: Causes and Treatment. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2009. Print. Fitzgerald, Paul, and Kate Hoy. “Pilot Study of the Clinical and Cognitive Effects of High-Frequency Magnetic Seizure Therapy in Major Depressive Disorder.” Depression & Anxiety 30.2 (2013): 129-136. Print. Harms, Roger. "Depression." The Mayo Clinic. N.p., 10 Feb. 2012. Web. 7 Mar. 2013. . Johnson, Lynn, and Scott Miller. "Modification of Depression Risk Factors." Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice 41.2 (2004): 244-253. Print. Read More