In the past generation, we have
seen the highest amount of cases of depression in all of its history. Many
people fall subject to the belief that depression is merely a mood or an
emotion, when in fact, it is real and it does mentally and physically damage
people. Depression is biologically and medically proven to be a chemical
imbalance in the brain. There are many branches of depression, but the main
focus will be on dysthymia, a disorder which affects an estimate of 350,000,000
people worldwide (Holmes). Evidently, dysthymia can sometimes be fatal, as it is
one of the leading causes for suicide worldwide and in the United States. About
10% of all American adolescents have at one point in their lives suffered from
depression (1). Depression is considered plausible to the extent where one’s
daily tasks and routines are hindered and drastically impacted by their mental
state of mind, which is the case for the majority of cases. With symptoms that
include loss of sleep, lack of appetite, isolation, hopelessness, and suicidal
thoughts, depression can be noticed and prevented if there is such a noticeable
change in a person’s character to this regard (What is depression?). The cause
of this epidemic can stem from a plethora of sources including family issues,
overwhelming anxiety and stress, or social neglect (1). As young teens and
adults begin to take on new responsibilities and interact with new people in
new places, sometimes they might feel out of place or like they don’t belong,
thereby giving them a sense of rejection or isolation, triggering the effects
of depression to begin taking control of the brain’s stimulus. In the end, it
all comes down to a person’s background and mental and emotional stability.
History of Depression
Depression dates back to
practically the beginning of intellectual human life, in other words, the
Mesopotamian times (Historical Understandings Of Depression). These were times
when humans really began to show advanced intellectual and cognizant thinking,
which in some ways, is applicable to depression (1). In order to even be at risk
of depression, a deep understanding of concepts and complex ideas is required.
Depression, or melancholia, as it
was known back then, may not have necessarily originated in Mesopotamia,
however, the civilization does contain the earliest form of record interpreting
a grasp of what depression is (2). Back then, depression was thought of as the
supernatural consequence of a demonic possession, and was tended to by
exorcist-mannered rituals practiced by priests (3). Other civilizations such as
the Chinese, Egyptian, and Babylonian shared the same beliefs (4). In
comparison to Mesopotamian beliefs, other early civilizations such as the Greek
and Roman, had a higher understanding of the causes and symptoms of depression
(5). They were aware that it was biological and psychological disease and had
developed a series of methods to treat the disorder (6). Two philosophers in
particular, one Greek and one Roman, both shared rather diverse beliefs for the
roots of depression (7). Hippocrates, the Greek philosopher, believed that
depression stemmed from imbalanced fluids in the body due to a person’s
personality and mental illnesses (8). Cicero, the Roman philosopher, on the
other hand, claimed that violent anger and sorrow were the causes of
melancholia, showing the mental understanding part of it rather than the
physical side (9).
Throughout the Roman empire, new
methods of treatment and potential reasoning for the cause were spread (10).
Most forms of treatment by then involved hydrotherapy (baths) and behavior
therapy (rewarding for correct behavior) (11). There was a decline in concern
of the disorder for roughly a millennium, until the Middle Ages came into play
(12). Not much progressed, however, as beliefs backtracked to the initial
claims provided by the earliest civilizations of demonic possession. If
anything, treatments were redundant and idiotic, as they included drowning and
burning corps, or locking people away in lunatic asylums (13). During the
Italian Renaissance, scientists drew their attention back to Hippocrates’
beliefs, with a number of doctors continuing the claim on the mental aspect of
witchcraft and possession (14). In 1621, a scientist named Robert Burton
published Anatomy of Melancholia, in which he described social and
psychological reasons for melancholia, including a variety of now modern,
effective treatments (15). People were shunned from society because of this
reason so many of them ended up homeless and in poverty (16). In 1895,
depression was characterized as Schizophrenia by German psychiatrist Emil
Kraepelin (Historical Understandings Of Depression cont.). Then in 1917,
Sigmund Freud associated melancholia with a literal or symbolic loss (1). The
1950’s were important in the research and development of depression, as many
biological and anatomical concepts were revealed which assisted in the
investigation and treatment for the disorder (3). Currently, depression is
sought to be both a mental and physical causes with subcategories such as
biological, psychological, and social causes, and scientists use these causes
to develop effective treatments (4).
Causes of Depression
Depression can be stemmed from a
number of causes which are still under research particularly as to how they
work and cause chemical imbalances to occur. The exact cause is unknown, but
many events can be linked to why it is caused. Depression is not abrupt. It is
the result of constant build-up of personal events.
Studies indicate that a chain of
events can lead to depression, and then those events can be triggered by a
final action (Beyondblue). Events such as unemployment, abusive relationships,
isolation, constant failure, etc. can lead to the deprivation of a person’s
mental state of being and its stability. The final trigger tends to be a rather
significant event to a person that allows depression to take over, such as
getting fired from a job or getting a divorce (1).
There a few personal factors that
may influence a person’s reasoning and depressive symptoms. Depression can in
fact have a family history, so naturally, people with it would be at an
increased genetic risk. Personality is also a factor. People with particular
natures, such as perfectionists, people with low self-esteems, or sensitive to
criticism, are more prone to depression because of how they interpret things
due to their personality (2). Mental illness and drug and alcohol use can also
lead to depression. Constant stress or worry about becoming depressed may trick
the brain into doing so, which essentially ties back to the personality aspect
(3). The effects of drugs and alcohol are also linked to causing depression, as
they affect many factors in the brain and can cause long-term damage (4).
Although chemical imbalance is a
valid claim, it is not the only aspect that comes into play (5). Genetic
fragility, constant and moderate stress, medication, and medical conditions all
play a role in the development of depression, as well as its effects.
Effects on Society
Depression can have a numerous
amount of effects on society due to the intensive care and fatalities it calls
for. There are two effects in particular; one tangible and nontangible. The
tangible aspect is simply the fatalities caused by it. Depression is the
leading cause for suicides committed across the world. In the U.S. alone,
42,773 people fall subject to suicide each year, and for every one suicide, 25
attempt (Suicide Statistics – AFSP). Significantly, it is the 10th leading
cause of deaths in the U.S., and the 2nd leading cause of death for people ages
10-24, next to driving under influence (1). About 44 billion dollars are spent
each year due to suicide (2). Not that far off, the total annual cost
associated with depression in the U.S. is 44-55 billion dollars a year (How
much do Americans spend each year to treat depression?). Clearly, there is a
drastic effect on the social, medical and economic sides of the spectrum as
shown by statistics. As far as death and treatment go, that is just part of the
equation. The everyday social effect depression has on the carrier and the
people around them while they are inhibiting it is also detrimental. Depression
has the ability to influence people who don’t have it, emotionally and mentally
if they witness it. It can serve as a trigger for other people to acquire it if
a close one is affected by it.
Treatment
There is a series of ways
depression can be treated. Although there is not a concrete remedy that will
eradicate it, such as a vaccine, there are a number of alternatives to
deteriorate its symptoms and improve everyday life.
There is a plethora of medicines
that can be taken to ease the effects of depression. These include
antidepressants, and other types of medications. Some do have side effects
which should be thought over before taking the medications, such as the
potential increase of suicide chances and effects on patients under pregnancy
(What Is Depression?). Inherited traits administering depressive behavior also
serve as an indicator as to how antidepressants will work with a person’s being
(1).
Although there is a great amount
of physical medications one can take, many patients prefer a number of
alternatives. Psychotherapy, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and transcranial
magnetic stimulation (TMS) are some alternatives for treating depression (2).
If people cannot take care of themselves and have no one to look out for them,
a lot of the time they turn to hospitals or residential treatment. Besides
medicine-related care, lifestyle choices make up the majority of treatment
options explored. Maintaining a healthy diet and workout routine will release
hormones to counteract the effects of depression. Participating in recreational
activities one enjoys as well as maintaining a healthy social life will also
help counter the effects of depression. These are just a few of the abundance
of treatments people can look into to treat depression, it’s just a matter of
acting up and doing something to make a change.
Examples
There is a plethora of real world
examples of people who suffer from depression- well known people for that
matter. For instance, music star Lady Gaga admitted to the media that she has
struggled with depression for a grand portion of her life (14 Celebrities Who
Have Experienced Depression). Knowing the dynamics of the ordeal, Gaga’s only
wish is to assist young people facing similar problems (1). This way, she
founded the Born This Way Foundation which encourages and inspires youth to
help prevent causes of depression (2). Another celebrity that struggled with
depression was “The Rock” Dwayne Johnson (3). Johnson struggled with depression
in his early twenties at the start of his football career (4). He referred to
this point of his life as “a real low point.” Johnson claimed in an interview
with Oprah once- “You’re not the first to go through it; you’re not going to be
the last to go through it… I wish I had someone at that time who could just
pull me aside and [say], ‘Hey, it’s gonna be okay. It’ll be okay.’ So I wish I
knew that.” (5) Another prime example of someone who struggled with depression
lost was Robin Williams. Despite the laughter and joy he was able to bring to
others, he failed to bring it to himself. Little were people aware of the load
he was carrying and the result that would arise from it. Unfortunately, he was
unable to defeat depression and commit suicide on August 11, 2014. His autopsy
confirmed his death was due to suicide, which was most likely a form of
dementia that stemmed from depression.
Absurdity
The absurdity in depression is in
depression itself. It is practically an epitome of absurdism due to its dark
nature. Depression is associated with death, anger, sinister thoughts, and loss
and sorrow. These are all elements that writers and poets tap into in order to
make their writing vivid. Edgar Allen Poe experienced loss throughout his life.
Both literal and symbolical loss. He lost his mother and the love of his life,
as well as faced rejection to his writing. This is why Poe was such a
successful author; he was able to utilize the depression and loss he endured in
order to bring out the best from his writing. He was in a way an absurdist
writer due to the dark nature and symbolism implemented in his writing, and
made it applicable to his work.
Camus believed that absurdism was
the inability to physically and mentally be able to grasp the meaning of life.
He thought that people who were incapable of understanding the meaning of life,
let alone find ambition to live, could not possibly continue living. Therefore,
they would find a solution for this problem through suicide, which again, ties
back to the absurdism in depression. According to Camus, it is the incompetence
to see the worth in living that causes people to turn to this “coward” way of
becoming a mere statistic.
Conclusion
Despite the fact that depression
has been around for a great amount of time, it has been highly misinterpreted
at times and ignored. Even doctors and researchers have misunderstood the
ambiguous topic. Although it could be a long-term or even terminal disease,
there is a large amount of treatments that could be used in a procedure towards
recovery. Symptoms are sometimes predictable and therefore, there is time to
help someone or oneself out and prevent this social epidemic from taking the
lives of some or many and depriving them from living.
Works Cited
Historical Understandings Of Depression.
(n.d.). Retrieved May 12, 2016, from https://www.mentalhelp.net/articles/historical-understandings-of-depression/
Historical
Understandings Of Depression Continued. (n.d.). Retrieved May 12, 2016, from https://www.mentalhelp.net/articles/historical-understandings-of-depression- continued/ Beyondblue. (n.d.).
Retrieved May 12, 2016, from https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/depression/what-causes-depression
Suicide Statistics - AFSP. (n.d.). Retrieved
May 12, 2016, from http://afsp.org/about- suicide/suicide-statistics/
How much do Americans spend each year to treat
depression? - Depression Treatment. (n.d.). Retrieved
May 12, 2016, from https://www.sharecare.com/health/depression- treatment/how-americans-spend-treat-depression
14 Celebrities Who Have Experienced
Depression. (n.d.). Retrieved May 12, 2016, f romhttp://www.everydayhealth.com/pictures/celebrities-who-have-experienced- depression/#04
Holmes, L. (n.d.). 19 Statistics That Prove
Mental Illness Is More Prominent Than You Think.
Retrieved
April 26, 2016, from
What Is Depression? Overview, Symptoms,
Causes, and Treatments. (n.d.). Retrieved April 26,
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