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Jackie Stroud English 110C Professor Dambruch December 2, 2013 Depression Every forty seconds, someone in the world attempts suicide. Every seventeen minutes, someone is the world succeeds (Caruso). Not many people are aware of this astounding statistic and the reasons behind it. By the time most realize that a person is depressed, they are attending their funeral. By definition, depression is severe despondency and dejection typically felt over a period of time and accompanied by feelings of hopelessness and inadequacy (Dictionary). Out of every ten people, one or more will be affected by depression at some point in their life, and approximately 121 million around the world are currently dealing with depression. One of the leading causes of death in the world is depression by suicide because of its effect on the brain. This disease alters almost every part of a person negatively (Caruso). This is why depression is a mental disease, and should be taken seriously. In its early stages, Depression is very difficult to detect. It can start with a simple change of moods. This change of mood can be sparked by biological, psychological, social, and spiritual explanations (Diamond). Its not always easy to detect depression. Some family physicians even miss cases of in their patients

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when they come in for some other medical reason. Even though studies have shown that most missed cases tend to be milder, it is still crucial to get people the treatment that is actually quiet effective (Gask). Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, guilt, and self-hate accompany depression. There is no denying that those who suffer from severe depression are ill. Depression can be debilitating and, in some cases, deadly (Diamond). It is not a disease that should be treated in the same way as a common cold. It is a psychosocial syndrome requiring far more than pharmacological intervention (Diamond). Once the early stages of depression set in, without help, things can only get worse. Depression is often described as a monster or the black dog. It is something that follows you around, draws attention, and sucks you dry of every emotion. As time goes on, the person sinks into a deeper depression, coping in ways healthy brains find insane. Depression may start as a small mood change, but it can lead to hospitalization, treatment centers, and death. As depression becomes more severe, addiction takes over. Self-harm is the practice of cutting or otherwise wounding oneself, usually considered as indicating psychological disturbance or depression (Dictionary). Some people cling to drugs, others to alcohol, and even some to cutting, which are all types of self-harm. The reason behind selfmutilation is very specific to each person, but there are generic reasons behind every situation. While self-harming, there is almost always an absence of pain. Many say that they do it to feel something, and initially they are satisfied. As

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time goes on it requires them one more pill, one more drink, or one more cut to get that feeling. Quickly, they are addicted. Studies show that intentional selfharm predicts suicide better than any other know risk factor (Miller). There is a big debate on whether or not depression should be taken seriously. It has been said that manipulative people will use the depressive diagnosis to gain attention or avoid responsibility (Childress). This accusation could possibly be true in some cases, but it is very rare. A person with major depression isnt interested in flaunting their disease around. What this article calls excuses is simply the effects of depression. Others opposed compare the types of people and situations that claim to be depressed. In an article titled, Depression: The Great Excuse of our Times states that The teenager who is grumpy about not being allowed out on Saturday night is somehow suffering the same way as the farmer who has watched drought wreck his property and plunge his family into poverty (Farr). This portrayal of depression is insulting. Just because bad things happen to people, doesnt mean that they are more likely to be depressed. This goes both ways. One of the happiest people can be majorly depressed even if they have everything they could ever want. There have also been many accusations that criminals are falsely claiming depression as the reason for their crimes. In one case, a 25 year old king-hit a man on a suburban street in Sydney, Australia. The man was sent to the hospital and later died. During his trial, the man told the court he was suffering from depression because of the suicide of a

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friend earlier that day. The court also heard that he had been drinking for ten hours before he attacked, so he was charged (Farr). Alcoholism is a coping method for depression. The court should have recognized that the man was in fact suffering from depression. Although the man is still guilty, the lack of knowledge could have altered the sentence. We have no guarantee of perpetual happiness, but the absence of that guarantee doesnt mean we have the right to claim depression (Farr). The treatment for depression varies depending on the person. Through psychopharmacology (the use of drugs) and therapy, depression can be cured. Treatment is demanded and required to outlive depression (Diamond). The argument that states that antidepressants dont work could not be more false (Childress). Antidepressants and mood stabilizing drugs do something that psychotherapy cannot: they provide relatively rapid relief of the painful and debilitating symptoms of depression and stabilize otherwise dangerously labile mood swings (Diamond). Even when symptoms of depression are mitigated by medication, the underlying depressive condition evidently remains, rendering even medicated patients susceptible to future episodes (Diamond). Medication help stabilize a patient in order for them to attend therapy. This helps them work to a final goal of no longer needing the medication. Even though no longer needing medication is the goal, a portion of patients remain on their antidepressants for the rest of their lives.

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I have had first hand experience with depression. Ive dealt with cutting, suicide, doctors, alcoholism, and drug addiction. It is still a battle I am fighting at this very moment. Depression is not something that is understood by opening a dictionary. Depression is not something that can be explained in any amount of words. Imagine diving into ten-foot deep water with a fifty-pound weight attached to your ankles. At first you can hold your breath, but panic begins to fill your body. You begin to scream for help, but you know its useless because no one is around to hear you. Thats how I would describe depression. Along with depression, I deal with anxiety and OCD. I take medication on a daily basis: without them I attempt suicide. After four different medications I finally found the prescription that suited me. I have a therapy session once a week to track my progress. After dealing with depression for four years alone, I finally have the help I need. The amazing thing is that Im getting better. Ive had my fair share of criticism for what Ive done. Ive been told I was just begging for attention, Ive been told Im faking, and Ive been told that its all in my head. I would not wish what I go through on a daily basis on my worst enemy. Im lucky enough to have a support system to help me. I can personally say that I needed serious help. Depression is a serious disease. Each suicide intimately affects at least 6 other people. One out of every 64 Americans survives their suicide attempt (Caruso). These numbers continue to grow every year. The lack of knowledge of depression and its components continues to leave people hopeless. Until the concept of depression is

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understood or at least acknowledged, thousands will go untreated a year and suicide rates will continue to rise. If society doesnt change and adapt there is no hope for those living with the disease. Those that are blind to its effects and repercussions will never be able to relate. Depression is a mental disease, and it should be taken seriously.

Stroud Works Cited Caruso, Kevin. "Suicide Statistics." At Suicide.org! , , , , ! N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2013. <http://www.suicide.org/suicide-statistics.html>. Childress, Frances. "Depression Used as an Excuse for Manipulation." Examiner.com. N.p., 13 Apr. 2011. Web. 04 Dec. 2013. <http://www.examiner.com/article/depression-used-as-an-excuse-formanipulation>. Diamond, Stephen. "Is Depression a Disease?" Psychology Today. N.p., 1 Sept. 2008. Web. 16 Nov. 2013. <http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/evildeeds/200809/is-depression-disease>. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, n.d. Web. 03 Dec. 2013. <http://dictionary.reference.com/>. Farr, Malcolm. "Depression the Great Excuse of Our times." NewsComAu. N.p., 28 Feb. 2008. Web. 04 Dec. 2013. <http://www.news.com.au/opinion/depression-thegreat-excuse-of-our-times/story-e6frfs99-1111115664749>. Gask, Linda. "Educating Family Physicians To Recognize And Manage Depression: Where Are We Now?." Canadian Journal Of Psychiatry 58.8 (2013): 449-455. Academic Search Complete. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. Miller, Matthew, et al. "Method Choice In Nonfatal Self-Harm As A Predictor Of Subsequent Episodes Of Self-Harm And Suicide: Implications For Clinical Practice." American Journal Of Public Health 103.6 (2013): e61-e68. Academic Search Complete. Web. 20 Nov. 2013.

Stroud Young, Norman. "Non-Pharmacological Treatments For Patients With Depression." Nursing Standard 28.7 (2013): 43-51. Academic Search Complete. Web. 20 Nov. 2013.