Specifically, children and teenagers may bear the brunt of this problem when they are punished for attitudes or lack of motivation that, in reality, stems from depression. This could occur when parents choose not to recognize it as a real and possible problem. These adolescents are viewed as lazy, rebellious, rude, or moody, instead of realizing that there may be a health issue going on. That is, a health issue that requires care, compassion, and understanding, not discipline and punishment.
Further, more serious problems such as manic-depression or schizophrenia need to be recognized as a potential factor for family members if close relatives have dealt with it. Even family members with major depression should be taken into consideration when it comes to personal health issues or situations. Individuals may not feel depressed initially, but “once the depressive episode is triggered, it tends to have a life of its own until treated,” and has the capacity to quickly turn into a crushing weight. (Lurie, page 13) As more studies have been completed, “most doctors considered major depression and bipolar depression to be inherited conditions; other forms of …show more content…
They may dispute this need by claiming that it is completely possible for moods to be lifted, and therefore, when people are depressed, they should look for the silver lining and not allow themselves to feel pessimistic. It is all too common to hear people disregarding scientific facts with statements such as, “People who claim to be depressed are merely allowing themselves to feel that way, because everyone can pull themselves out of a bad mood.” With such a perspective, these critical individuals may continue on, arguing that people who say they have depression are “just trying to garner