Depression is a mental medical condition that is characterized by a persistent and pervasive low mood, loss of enjoyment in normally pleasurable activities accompanied by a low self-esteem (Howell 2). Depression is a disabling medical condition that can affect negatively an individual’s work, family, eating habits, school life, the general health and social interactions. In the United States, for example, 3.3% of the total deaths are caused by suicide and other mood related disorders (Howell 2). An increase in the cases of deaths and other criminal activities due to depression in the US has caused a lot of concern among the public health practitioners.
Causes of Depression
Unlike other medical disorders, Keck notes that there are no simple explanations on what’s the real cause of depression (1). Depression is caused by different factors.
Genetic factors
A study by Cvetkovich indicates that genetic factors play a critical role in an individual’s predisposition towards developing depression, particularly melancholic depression, bipolar disorder, and psychotic depression. The study further highlights that there is no single gene that is responsible for depression, but to a certain extent a combination of genes (10).
The tendency to develop depression can be transmitted genetically. Friedman and Anderson reiterate that the genetic threat of developing clinical depression is about 42% if one of the biological parents is diagnosed with the disorder (14). Depression is not likely to occur without stressful conditions in life. However, the threat of developing stress as a result of stressful activities is to a larger extent determined by the genetic makeup of an individual.
Biochemical causes
The neurotransmitters in the brain play a significant role in aiding communication in the brain cells. During a depression, the activity of the neurotransmitters reduces and this perturbs certain parts of the brain that regulate functions like appetite, sleep, sexual drive, and mood. This condition is always treated using many antidepressant drugs to enhance the activity of neurotransmitters.
Physical illness
An individual who is feeling unwell can experience depression due to a lowered mood, pain or discomfort. Diseases can also alter the normal functioning of the body in a manner that can lead to depression. Some medical conditions like cancer and HIV/Aids can compromise the immune system thus playing a vital role in the emergence of stress.
Ageing
As individuals age, the normal functioning of the brain becomes compromised and affects the pathways of the neurotransmitters which are critical in influencing the mood. An elderly individual who develops dementia may develop depression due to the disruption of the circuits connecting frontal regions of the brain and the basal ganglia (Kruk and Steffen 12).
Gender
Despite the fact that both men and women develop melancholic depression, research by Nabi indicates that women are more likely to develop stressful conditions, unlike men. This is because women always internalize stress and the stressor thus putting them at risk. Also, women are the custodians of the family. Any negative stimuli from the environment such as from the children, the husband or a member of the family will directly affect women (165). Also, hormonal factors during puberty and menstrual periods may account to the increased chances of a woman developing stress.
Stress
Longstanding stress can enhance the chances of a person developing depression in later years. For instance, a woman who is in the un-abusive relationship or a child who is from uncaring family can develop stress in future. Life events that affect an individual’s self-esteem like break-up can cause depression. Also, feelings of shame, for example, when a person does not pass exams may cause depression since an individual feels that he or she has not lived to the expectations of the family members.
Personality
A study by Welch opines that some personalities expose one to a great risk of developing depression. For instance, people who have a high level of anxiety, shyness, low self-worth, perfectionists and self-focused individuals are more likely to become depressed (12).
Loss
Sometimes, people experience depression when they lose something that they value most. The experience of loss may include bereavement, separation, loss of a promotion or loss of a friend. Besides, individuals suffering from the loss of a friend or something they value tend to think a lot. Many thinking patterns are associated with stress. For instance, overstressing on the negative issues, having inflexible rules, and taking responsibility for the bad events can be a recipe of stress.
Symptoms of depression
Depression has many symptoms, and some are more prominent than others. In general, there are noticeable variations in complaints from an individual to another. According to Nina and Gitterman, depressive episodes are characterized by a persistent low mood for someday (22). Primarily, the low feelings are characterized by loss of drive, joy, and reduced concentration. Besides, the condition can be exhibited by symptoms of sleeping disorders, overweight, loss of appetite and perceived hopelessness. Many depressive episodes can cause thoughts of deaths and suicide
Types of depression
Different types of depression are classified according to particularly pronounced symptoms and causes.
The burn-out syndrome also known as exhaustive depression is caused by continuous pressure-related to work. Primarily, the burn-out syndrome is characterized by a reduction in performance, loss of energy, cynicism and lack of interest in activities where a very high level of commitment is needed. A relatively small trigger like a change of job can cause stressful conditions that may lead to depression. Some of the symptoms of burn-out include a vague physical pain, increased sweating, headaches, dizziness and muscle pain. Sleep disorders are often associated with the burn-out syndrome.
Depression due to aging
Many depressive disorders are common during the later life of an individual that is when one reaches 65 years and above. However, this depressive disorder is often overlooked among the elderly and many go untreated for a longer period. Older persons in the society always keep quiet about their depressive symptoms and instead talk about other physical disorders that people associate with old age. for example, vague pains may indicate that an elderly person is depressed (Kruk and Steffen 10).
Postpartum depression is common among women who have given birth. According to Westall and Pranee, postpartum depressive episodes affect about 50% of women. Usually, postpartum depression starts in the first or second week after delivery but not before the third day. In some mothers, the condition may last for a few hours up to weeks depending on the person.
Melancholic depression is associated with a loss of pleasure in most of the activities either at home or workplace. Most people who are suffering from guilt or have lost a loved one are at a high risk of suffering from melancholic depression.
Catatonic depression is a form of major depression that involves interference of the motor behavior. In this case and individuals become mute or even remain immobile. Catatonic depression is common among people suffering from mental illness or individual with the narcoleptic malignant syndrome.
Seasonal depression, on the other hand, is a form of depression that occurs due to changes in the weather conditions. for example, one can feel low during the dark overcast winters. Seasonal depression that is not well managed can cause life-threatening severe diseases (Keith and Dizois 30). Primarily, the low amount of light that is reaching the eyes of people is the major cause of this disorder. Psychotic depression is severe form of depression. This kind of depression is characterized by an elevated mood. It is believed that bereavement is the major cause of psychotic depression although other factors can also lead to this medical condition.
Treatment of depression
A holistic approach is significant for one to treat efficiently depressed patients. Some psychotherapeutic interventions like conversational therapy, cognitive behavior and psychological therapies can be employed depending on the needs of the patients. Besides drugs, group therapies can be combined with body-oriented therapies to help in the management of stress.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a leading strategy of treatment of depression. Ideally, this therapy changes the way patients deal with depression and corrects negative personal evaluations and the processing of personally stressful events in the lives of patients. Psychotherapeutic strategies like interpersonal psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy can be used. A study by Keck reiterates that psychotherapy reduces the long-term threats of relapse and has received great success in both in-patients and the out-patients (1). Also, Howell argues that this advanced therapeutic intervention places much focus on the treatment of the cause of depression by mobilizing the necessary resources and not just examining the old experiences that caused depression (40).
Our feelings, actions, and thoughts constantly affect the physical functioning of the body. Feeling low can be accelerated further by negative thoughts. For instance, social withdrawal often strengthens the unpleasant feelings and thoughts. Psychotherapeutic treatment provides a starting point for breaking the cycle of depression. Principally, it is important for a person to undertake other activities that boost the mood during psychotherapeutic treatment. Additionally; depression makes the patient see himself through a dark lens. However, psychotherapy helps an individual to rid himself slowly of this lens.
Interpersonal psychotherapy
Proponents of interpersonal psychotherapy believe that interpersonal relationships can considerably contribute to the development of depression. Keck notes that a patient’s earlier interpersonal and mental experiences can manifest in the current behavior. For instance, stressful experiences like the death of a loved one or bullying in school can cause depression in later stages of life (1). The primary objective of interpersonal therapy is to reduce depressive symptoms and enhance interpersonal associations in the professional spheres.
Stress management is another momentous aspect of psychotherapy. Psychoanalytic therapy can also help in reducing depression. Psychoanalysis holds that influences of our early years can leave tracks on an individual psyche. The therapy helps a patient to recognize, work on and process the suppressed feelings and conflicts.
Cognitive therapy
Many people develop behavioral patterns, emotional responses, and mindsets through imitation and personal experiences. According to Welch, there are many behavioral patterns that can cause depression when combined with chronic stress. Problematic thoughts, mindsets, and behavioral patterns are in particular examined during the treatment (25). Friedman and Anderson further highlight that cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on both negative and positive behavioral patterns. An individual can change behavior like getting him to take pleasant activities (17). These pleasant engagements are critical in enhancing positive emotions and new experiences. The main endeavor of cognitive behavioral therapy is to equip patients with skills that will promote social relationships and deal with one's feelings.
Drug therapy
Antidepressants are the most commonly used drugs in the treatment of moderate to severe depression. The drugs are used to strengthen the neurotransmitters and to normalize the activity of the stress hormone. Despite the immense benefits of antidepressants, Keck notes that some side effects have been reported among the people who use drugs to treat depression like weight gain and sexual function diseases (1).
Other tested strategies for treating depression include the wake therapy. Sleep deprivation as a treatment technique helps in lifting the mood of the patient. This strategy may look strange in the first place as many depressed patients are already suffering from sleeping disorders. Nonetheless, sleep deprivation has been proven to be an excellent treatment for depression. Normally, the patient goes to bed and wake up in the middle of the night so as to enhance the mood. Also, it is imperative to note that this type of therapy is normally conducted in therapeutically support groups.
Light therapy is another treatment of depression that has proven to be effective in the treatment of winter depression. The patient is always exposed to bright light every morning for one hour. During the treatment, the patient can be given simple tasks like reading.
Works Cited
Cvetkovich, Ann. Depression: A public feeling. Durham: Duke University Press, 2012.Print.
Friedman, Edward, and , Anderson,Ian. "Depression in Different Types of Patients." Handbook of Depression (2014): 13-18. Print.
Howell, Cate. Keeping the blues away: The ten-step guide to reducing the relapse of depression. New York: Radcliffe Publishing, 2010. Print.
Keck, Martin. Depression. www.depression.ch n.d. Web. 4 April 2016.
Keith, Dobson and Dozois, David. Risk factors in depression. London. Academic Press, 2011. Print.
Kruk, Kai, and Steffen, Reinhold. "The effect of children on depression in old age." Social Science & Medicine 100 (2014): 1-11. Print.
Nabi, Shabnum. "Effects on Depression-Like Behavior." Toxic Effects of Mercury (2014): 163- 168. Print.
Nina, Rovinelli and Gitterman, Alex. Mental health and social problems: A social work perspective. New York: Routledge, 2010. Print.
Welch, Edward. Depression: Looking up from the stubborn darkness. London: New Growth Press, 2011. Print.
Westall, Carolyn, and Pranee Liamputtong. "Motherhood and Postnatal Depression." (2011): Print.
