Recognition and Treatment of Depression
Jessica Breaux
ENG/147 (AAIH1HE318)
August 3, 2015
Anne Thurmer

Recognition and Treatment of Depression
People do not want to recognize depression because then they feel as if they have failed those whom they look up to or those that look up to them. Those that do have depression are unaware of it because they are uneducated about the different types, signs, and symptoms. Depression is a mental disease that disrupts a persons’ life and is marked by relapses over time. There are different types of depression including dysthymia and clinical. Dysthymia is usually last for short periods (hence the name short-term depression) and is diagnosed mostly during childhood. Typically beginning in the mid to late 20s, clinical or major depression is much more severe than dysthymia (Depression, 2004). Depression is more likely to occur in a person who is physical inactivity, smoking, in a small social network, physically impaired, prone to heart attacks; diabetic or obese (Arehart-Treichel, 2012). If detected early enough the treatments both medication and alternative can be effective in preventing further depression. Beginning prevention as early as possible could prevent the onset of clinical depression later in life. Therefore, doctors and parents need to diagnose depression in young people at an early age by recognizing the physical and emotional signs so that we can offer treatment options whether it is with or without medications.
People often overlook the signs of depression because they are too busy trying to make a life for themselves. There are many signs of depression and can take many forms, be in a numerous combination, and can vary from person to person. Therefore, not every person will have the same symptoms or signs. Some of the physical signs are lack of social interactions, self-mutilations, overeating or the lack of, weight gain or loss without dieting; dizziness, headaches, inexplicable crying, fatigue, and changes in sleep (Depression, 2004). Scientist and researchers have not found a definite cause for depression. In my opinion, depression can arise because of many things, most of which begin during childhood. When children are in school and find themselves in situations such as being bullied, chosen last continuously, the outcast of a particular group, or having to be independent may lead to some form of depression. In addition, those who are being physically abused or yelled at constantly (verbal abuse), loss of a close relative, and being sexually abused can be causes of depression. Some of the emotional signs that people need to be aware of are always wanting to be alone, feeling like an outcast, feeling as if you are worthless, lose interest in life, work, and other pleasurable activities including sex (Depression, 2004); thoughts of death, loss of energy, feelings of guilt, and even concentration (Gurung, 2001). The emotional signs are felt, and a person must seek professional help to be diagnosed with or without depression. Depression can be in coexistence with other health issues such as smoking, alcohol, and drug abuse, and heart disease (Sinha and Rush, 2006). Instead of seeking professional help, many people have a tendency to turn to alcohol or drugs to cope with depression; as a result, the symptoms worsen (Depression, 2004). Depression (2004) states, “Depression frequently coexists with hostility and irritability. This can be directed toward the source of the problematic relationship (such as the spouse) or deflected toward others (such as the children).” Some people can even have difficulty making decisions, concentrating, remembering, having a clear state of mind, and some have complained of delusions and hallucinations. Depression has many effects on different people. Every person deals with depression in a different way. To help manage their symptoms some people rely on medication, while others turn to alternative treatment options.
Medication is the most common treatment option for most people suffering from depression. The most commonly prescribed medications are TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants), MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitor), HRT (hormone replacement therapy), and SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor). These medications are mind altering and need professional monitoring. Women and men equally respond to treatment with IPT (Interpersonal therapy) but men also need TCAs while women do not. Young women, however, can take MAOIs and function normally. While effective in some women CBT (Cognitive behavioral therapy) is not for everyone (Sinha and Rush, 2006). Some people have amazing results with medication such as clear thinking, more sociable, more active and overall a better outlook on life; while others have problems with medications such as allergies, the wrong dosage, and the potential to make the depression worse. A few other side effects can be bowel blockage, dry mouth, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, and even excessive sweating. With all of these side effects in mind, scientists have developed medications that improve mood without these awful side effects. Although you can wake up in the morning, take a pill and not have to worry about your depression you still have to take them as prescribed because of the risk of overdosing (Gurung, 2001). “At the molecular level, depression is thought to be caused by inadequate numbers of neurotransmitters in the brain,” as written in Depression (2004). Therefore, some people do not have an option of taking medications and causing them to be useless because of these inadequate numbers. After taking medications for almost six months with side effects and no success, I began to look deeper into alternative medicines and treatments. Upon researching some of the alternative options, I had decided to take alternative actions without medications. Although, some studies have shown that "exercise improves mood" and ultimately helps in preventing the reoccurrences of depression, the effects of alternative treatments need further investigation (Sinha and Rush, 2006, pp. 51-52). Other studies have shown that several medicinal herbs can treat depression far better than standard antidepressant medications without the negative effects on the human body (Gurung, 2001). Other forms of alternative treatments are talking to a counselor, exercising, yoga, and Pilates. Therefore, with alternative treatments is a lifestyle type of change versus depending on medications to make you feel better. Some other alternative treatment options are ECT (electroconvulsive therapy), CBT, IPT, yoga, and mindful meditation. There are also herbal medicines, acupuncture, exercise, stress management, and a few others that are less effective in treating depression (Sinha and Rush, 2006). Although, treatment with ECT should be a last resort, it can be an alternative in extreme cases of severe depression or if a person absolutely cannot wait for traditional medications to kick in, but no one can explain why this treatment works (Gurung, 2001). The downfall to doing these alternative treatments are you must do them daily and learn how to deal with, live with, and cope with your depression.
Research shows depression being the number one cause of disease by the year 2020 (Steiner, 2007). Therefore, the knowledge and recognition of signs is crucial in preventing this particular prediction. Some people still depend on medication, despite the side effects, for the treatment of their depression, while others try a lifestyle change with alternative treatments. By preventing this disease, these people will be able to function normally, be more social amongst others, and have a more positive outlook on life. I believe that the world could benefit from preventing this disease because the number of suicides would be significantly less.

References
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Depression. (2004). In K. Carlson, S. Eisenstat, & T. Ziporyn, New Harvard guide to women's health, the. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Retrieved from http://search.credoreference.com.contentproxy.phoenix.edu/content/entry/hupwh/depression/0
Gurung, R. A. R. (2001). Depression. In Encyclopedia of Sociology (2nd ed., Vol. 1, pp. 648-657). New York: Macmillan Reference USA. Retrieved from http://go/galegroup.com.contentproxy.phoenix.edu/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CCX3404400093&v=2,1&u=uphoenix_uopx&it=r&p=GVRL&sw=w&asid=6d268544818a4bc7677cd3aed7f710bf
Rosenthal, M. (2004). In S. Loue and M. Sajatovic (Eds.), Encyclopedia of women’s health. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer Scienc+Business Media. Retrieved from http://search.credoreference.com.contentproxy.phoenix.edu/content/evtry/sprwh/depression/0
Sinha, R., & Rush, J. A. (2006). Understanding of depression in women: Applying empirical research to practice and policy: Treatment and Prevention of Depression in Women. United States: American Psychological Association.
Steiner, M. (2007). Treatment of Depression in Women. Utrecht, United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis Ltd.