Essay About Depression: The Overview of the Mental Illness

To https://www.merriam-webster.com/, a mental illness is “any broad range of mental conditions (such as major depression, schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder, or panic disorder) that are marked primarily by sufficient disorganization of personality, mind, or emotions to impair normal psychological functioning and caused marked distress or disability and that are typically associated with a disruption in normal thinking, feeling, mood, behavior, interpersonal interactions, or daily functioning.” (Merriam- Webster 1). Depression is just one of so many mental illnesses. That said, history is filled with those who have suffered from depression, . The cause? Some people have obvious reasons to what caused their depressions, however most don’t just have one single reason. It’s usually several reasons, and sometimes may never be pinpointed.  It’s only recently that doctors and scientists have identified the signs and symptoms so that anyone can get the help they need.

The initial diagnosis, realizing there’s something wrong, can make a person feel as if they’re drowning - but actually living with and coping with with depression can often be much worse. Depression is a mental illness that causes various symptoms in its victims. Both mental and physical Depression can wreak havoc on a person’s life. 

Depression doesn’t just randomly appear one day, there will be cause to it showing through. Depression does not only affect the brain, it can also affect someone’s physical self. Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection states, “ Biochemical factors that may trigger depression include a genetic predisposition, neurochemical disruption, blood sugar and hormonal imbalances, medications and medical treatments (as a side effect of some prescription and over-the-counter drugs), a diet lacking in nutrition, and digestive difficulties,”(Opposing Viewpoints Online 2). Collection that these can all cause, depression is some way. Depression can make someone sick in other ways too. Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection observes,  “Depression weakens the immune system and is linked to a greater likelihood of suffering chronic disease, pain-related disorders, and alcohol or substance abuse disorders, all of which can lead to loss of years of healthy living and premature death. Of people diagnosed with MDD,” 85 percent suffer from at least one additional chronic health condition.” (Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection 2).

Depression has many signs/ symptoms that may urge someone to go and find help, and may lead to a diagnosis. The signs and symptoms of depression may seem as if someone is just having a bad day. Symptoms can include, sleeping problems (International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences 1) These have to occur more than just one or two days. To support this the text says, “that occur during most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks and with significant impairment in social or occupational functioning,” (International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences 1). When being diagnosed with depression it can be hard. Even if someone has been thinking they may have depression, it can still be rough when they are initially diagnosed.

In the text it says, “When you’re diagnosed with a health problem, particularly a long-term health problem, it’s normal to feel many different things. Depression is no different. Even if you’ve privately suspected depression for some time, hearing the diagnosis from a doctor can still be troubling,” (Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division 1). This shows that even if someone is  struggling with their  initial diagnosis, they are not alone. Even though someone has been noticing the signs of depression, being diagnosed can be hard, coping is just as important. 

So, receiving treatment and living with depression can be really tough. Treatment can be different from person to person. Treatment can include inpatient or outpatient services, antidepressants, therapy (certain types can vary), and the use of coping skills. The American Psychiatric Association estimates, “between 80 to 90 percent of people diagnosed with depression respond positively to treatment and almost all who seek professional assistance are able to find relief symptoms,”(Opposing Viewpoints

Online Collection 4).  The use of antidepressants, especially in teens and young adults, is common among those who suffer from depression. As the text shows, Certain antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can be beneficial to children and adolescents with MDD,” (Sutton 366). This is significant because it shows that antidepressants can be taken to help treat depression. Living with this lifelong disease is not going to be easy. People who suffer from depression will have to tough it out in the times that they think they’ll never make it through. People with depression will have to deal issues with that no one else will ever have to deal with. A quote says, “Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word happy would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness. It is far better take things as they come along with patience and equanimity” (Jung). This proves that even though depression will be hard to live and cope with, people have to always try to be optimistic of situations. It is important that if someone is living with depression they recieve help, so they can get better. 

Depression is a topic that affects the health and wellness of everyone to some extent. Depression can have many sources as to why it appears, it’s never just one issue. The signs and symptoms of this illness can vary from person to person, but if someone suspects they have depression they should seek a professional to obtain a diagnosis. The hardest parts of depression are the initial diagnosis and having to live/ deal with it. Mental illness is a very serious issue, and depression is just a little part of what all goes into a mental illness.