Depression
~ All descriptions and quotes come from the respected websites ~
What is it? The 'Oxford American Dictionary' states (when describing the emotional meaning) "A state of excessive sadness and hopelessness, often with physical symptoms." This is not a medical publication, but I believe most people would agree that this is a 'general' description of what depression is.
From personal experience and research, I have come to the conclusion that depression, a disease like all others, is caused by the physical (nature) part of the body, and the enviornment someone is brought up in or lives in, (nurture). Also, depression, like all other diseases effects the physical and emotional part of a person. A teacher in college once told me. disease is decribed in three letters P.M.S., obviously we all know what pms is, so take that mental picture and add; Physical, Mental and Spiritual. We are effect completely. "Depression is a "whole-body" illness-one that affects physical health as well as how a person feels, thinks, and behaves toward others." - Effexor - Wyeth Website
This isn't just some 'tree hugger' holistic idea of depression, or 'new age'. This is stated by many medical publications and alot of religions believe or used to believe sickness effects all part of out bodies, mind and soul.
From personal experience, I can say, depression is a rollercoaster ride, and even most doctors can not agree on how to treat it. Or agree on a diagnosis. I have been diagnosed with, ADHD, Bipolar, Borderline Personality Discorder, Depressed, PTSD and a few others. I have been treated with, to name a few; Adderal, Zoloft and Lithium. At this time, I am on Wellbutrin and Prozac.
The first time I was sent, or taken to a person interested in my mind, was when I was very young. A neighbor, whom was a councelor or psychologist, did a study on my learning behaviors. Apparently, she came to the conclusion, that I had a learning disability. I remember my parent arguing about this, and my father saying something along the lines; "How dare she tell us our son has a learning disability".
My neighbor was correct, once I was in the sixth grade, and was put into a smaller class, for those who needed 'more attention' and on through adulthood, when a test revealed I have a learning disability.
Having a learing disability, could fall under both catergories 'nature and nuture'. Some believe one is born this way, others believe one ends up this way due to their surroundings, and others, like me, believe it has to do with both nature and nuture.
Genes are passed down. Studies have shown alcoholism can be passed this way, and there are studies trying to see if homosexuality is caused by a certain genes. Depressed also can be carried through genes.- "Some types of depression run in families, suggesting that a biological vulnerability can be inherited." " However, it can also occur in people who have no family history of depression."
"Depression is genetic; it runs in families. If someone in your family has suffered from depression, mental illness, chemical dependency, or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), your chances of getting depressed are much greater." Depression Depot
When I worked on an oncology unit in a hospital, I was very fortunate to have alot of information at my finger tips. One thing I learned is, we all have 'potential genes', for example, my father had cancer, studies show that I have a higher risk of cancer due to this, but they do not prove if I am destined to become effected with cancer. Back to the 'nature - nuture' idea. - "....it can also occur in people who have no family history of depression. Whether inherited or not, major depressive disorder is often associated with changes in brain structures or brain function." National Institute of Mental Health
Most people have a 'cancer gene' in them, this is nature. It just depends on if it is activated by the body. This can be effected by our physical and mental state, nature - nuture. Another example, people who eat alot of meat, have a higher rate of cancer than vegetarians. This is 'nuture'. Also, there is many studies showing that negetive thinking, along with positive thinking, effects the body, this is nuture, how we think and feel and our enviornment effects us. The nature - nuture model is indefinately interacting, interchanging and interrelating. It is not east to completely seperate them into two entitiies. It is impossible.
Back to depression. Studies show that learning disabilities can have a negative effect on a person, and cause pain both in their physical and mental states. First a person may be born with a disease, (nature), then is effected by the disease, nature, and treated either negatively or positively by their enviornment, (nuture). This inturn effects the individual both emothinally, (nuture) and physically, (nature) - "We know that there are biological and psychological components to every depression, it is not a purely biochemical or medical disorder." - Mental Health.net
"Regardless of the trigger, the organic cause of depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain that involves the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Low levels of these brain chemicals prevent the nerve cells in the brain from transmitting signals normally. This creates chaos in the centers of the brain that control appetite, concentration, mood, sleep, and libido (sex drive). The result is that the depressed person may be unable to perform even the most ordinary tasks of life." Depression Depot
So noone can really prove completely the cause of diseases like cancer or depression. There is too many variables and each case is of an individual person, making it impossible to study two identical subjects.
The closest study I have heard of, that has been able to show similarites among 'like' persons, is the study of identical twins, who are brought up in completley different envionrments, homes. Studies have shown that, these seperated identical twins, even though brought up differently, alot of times, more so than not, have similar characteristics, interests and physical condtions.
This leads me to believe strongly in the 'nature' aspect of disease and the make up of humans and other living beings.
So for me, I believe I was born, pre-disposed, with depression, (nature) and my upbringing, which was effected by this (nuture) created who I am. This is not to put the blame on anyone, or to say that a person cannot change. I can only go by my personal experience.
Other factors that may have lead me to be depressed would include that I am gay (Gay Rights). Teen suicide among gays is higher than among heterosexual teens. Most likely, the feeling of being different, and being told by society, your family and religion that you are an abomination to God and a disgrace and a number of other negative words, added to my self-hatred. This, obviously can make a person feel very alone. As we all know, people are more self-conscious in their teens than any other time of their lives.
When I was in sixth grade. I was told I had to go to the school councelor on a weekly basis. The teachers thought I was not getting involved enough with the other classmates, and I seemed very disinterested in my school work. First, I couldnt understand half the school work, secondly, all these feelings of "OH MY GOD I AM DIFFERENT' ran through my mind.
This is when my search for 'why' and 'who' I am began. Longing to belong and to find someone or something I could identify with, was all I wanted. My parents didn't understand. This is not their fault. Just a few years ago, depression was not talked about so openly as now. When it was, the parents were blamed alot of the time.
I was taught to "sweep these feelings under the rug", This coming from society and my mother who came from an alcoholic home. Studies have shown that, alot of alcoholics are depressed prior to being alcoholic. Looking back, I believe the alcoholism and depression my mothers father had, was passed onto me (nature), and the "ignore it, it will go away" attitude of society and my family (nuture), assisted in its growth.
So there I was, full of nature and nuture. A 12 year old, growing boy, hormones racing, my body was changing, it seemed only natural that I would want to escape. This is when I started thinking about suicide. Heaven was described so beautifully, I figured thats where I should go.
~Statistics ~
~ All descriptions and quotes come from the respected websites ~
So what 'type' of people get depressed. There is no type. Depression, like most diseases, does not care if you are rich or poor, black or white, male or female. There are quite alot of people who are depressed. Here I will list statistics from different sources.
"Depression doesn't discriminate; it affects people of all ages, races, and ethnic groups."
"Depression is one of the most common mental disorders affecting 340 million people in the world today, accounting for a full 10% of productive years lost throughout the world."
"An estimated 5.3 percent of American adults ages 18 to 54 suffer from unipolar major depression in a given year."
"Depression is so common that over 1 in 5 Americans can expect to get some form of depression in their lifetime. Over 1 in 20 Americans have a depressive disorder every year. Women are almost twice as likely as men to experience a depressive episode throughout their lives. Those who seem to be most likely to experience depression are married women, women in poverty, adolescents, and unmarried men."
"In any given 1-year period, 9.5 percent of the population, or about 18.8 million American adults, suffer from a depressive illness."
"Each year over 17 million American adults experience a period of clinical depression."
"In any given one-year period. At some point in their lives, 10%-25% of women and 5%-12% of men will likely become clinically depressed." All About Depression!
"Major depression strikes a surprisingly high percentage of the population: the estimated number of people who will suffer from serious depression during their lives is a staggering 20%."
"Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States across all age groups, the third leading cause in the 10-24 years of age group and second in people between the ages of 25 and 35 (www.cdc.gov/ncipc/wisqars 2002). Mood disorders are strongly associated with suicidal behavior, with an estimated 60% of completed suicides having a lifetime diagnosis of mood disorder."
~ Symptoms ~
~ All descriptions and quotes come from the respected websites ~
Here is are a few symptoms of general depression from different sources. Please keep in mind, we are all individuals, so these lists should serve as general listing form the source. Depression is not a black and white issue.
Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood, feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that you once enjoyed, including sex, insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping, appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain, decreased energy. fatigue, being "slowed down", thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts, restlessness, irritability, difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions, persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain.
Symptoms of depression include persistent sad mood, loss interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed, change in appetite or weight, difficulty sleeping or oversleeping, physical slowing or agitation, energy loss, feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt, difficulty thinking or concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.
Sadness , loss of energy, feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness , loss of enjoyment from things that were once pleasurable, difficulty concentrating, difficulty making decisions, increased need for sleep, insomnia or excessive sleep , unexplained aches and pains, stomachache and digestive problems, decreased sex drive, sexual problems headache, change in appetite causing weight loss or gain, thoughts of death, suicide or attempting suicide.
~ Types ~
~ All descriptions and quotes come from the respected websites ~
Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood
Bipolar disorder (also called manic-depressive illness)
Dysthymia (Chronic Depression)
Major Depression
Postpartum Depression
Psychotic Depression
Seasonal Depression (Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD)
Please use the following links to find out more;
~ Helpful Links ~
~ All descriptions and quotes come from the respected websites ~
Devoted to grief support for survivors whose loved ones have committed suicide, and to prevention of suicide. The site grew out of the experience of Christine Smith, whose 15-year old son Trevor committed suicide. Site includes a memorial section, a writing and poetry project, news media watch, a discussion board, material on teen suicide, and a good list of links to related resources. You can search the Growth House database from this site.
A not-for-profit professional membership organization that promotes research, public awareness programs, and education and training for suicide professionals.
We are dedicated to providing accurate, current, and relevant information about clinical depression to the general public.
Quick reference guide to facts and figures about suicide in the United States, provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Psychology Information Online
A web site is sponsored by the National Mental Health Association as part of NMHA's Campaign for America's Mental Health. The mission of this web site is to educate people about clinical depression, offer a confidential way for people to get screened for symptoms of the illness, and guide people toward appropriate professional help if necessary.
DepressioNet provides a comprehensive resource for Australians with depression and their families and friends to come for information, help & support.
New and exciting site provide information about Symptom of Depression Resources and Directory
A compilation of references related to gay and bisexual male teen suicide. Homophobia causes many deaths each year. This site is a good source of research materials related to this aspect of youth suicide.
A compilation of references related to gay and bisexual male teen suicide. Homophobia causes many deaths each year. This site is a good source of research materials related to this aspect of youth suicide.
A Rest Stop from Depression and Thoughts of Suicide.
A compilation of references related to gay and bisexual male teen suicide. Homophobia causes many deaths each year. This site is a good source of research materials related to this aspect of youth suicide.
A program for the prevention of youth suicide.
The aim of the Manic Depression Website is to provide comprehensive and accurate information for mental health service users, their carers, family and friends as well as promoting mental health.
This website offers more than 240 articles on all aspects of depression and bipolar, plus a bookstore, readers' forum, message boards, and other features.
Information about Mental Health.
A collaborative effort by several U.S. government agencies to forge an national suicide prevention campaign. Web site includes extensive information about suicide patterns and links to state-level organizations working with this issue. Includes suicide prevention information in Spanish.
New York University School of Medicine.
The mission of Metanoia is to break down barriers that keep people from getting the help they need. Through communications, education and advocacy, we work to make connections that can shed a little light.
SAM-e has been used as a prescription anti-depressant medication in Europe for more than twenty years. In fact in Italy it is the most prescribed anti-depressant.
Provides facts about suicide, warning signs, prevention measures, and things to watch for when assessing potential risk.
This website aims to provide the best online resource for anyone interested in, or suffering from stress, anxiety or depression. It is also linked to our stigma.org website which explores the complexities of stigma and how it relates to mental health problems.
SAVE's mission is to prevent suicide through public awareness and education, eliminate stigma and serve as a resource to those touched by suicide.
This site provides value-added web access to The Suicide FAQ and Internet Crisis Resources, the official postings on suicide to news.answers. The site also provides references to other suicide resources, including newsgroups and list servers. Has resources for the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
SIEC is the largest English language suicide information resource centre and library in the world. Established in 1982, the SIEC collection contains more than 20,000 print and audiovisual materials on all aspects of suicidal behaviour. An excellent resource for both professional and non-professional materials. There are fees for most materials and search services.
According to the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health, suicide is the ninth leading cause of death in the United States, and perhaps most tragically is the third leading cause of death among young people aged 15 to 24.
A non-profit organization dedicated to disseminating information about depression to consumers.
A business-sized card that teens and youth can carry with them to aid in asking for help when they are in crisis. Also has information on warning signs, and suggestions on how to help a young person.
Authoritative background information and recommendations provided by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.
