Depression
Many people suffer from a disease that affects them day in and day out. Sadly, many do not believe that this disease is even serious, but if it is left untreated or if it is improperly treated, it could be fatal. What is this disease? It is depression. Dr. Ainsworth states that "depression is not a sign of character weakness; it is a total body illness" (x). Everyone experiences sadness occasionally, but depression will persist for a period of two or more weeks. According to The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, depression is "a mental illness characterized by a profound and persistent feeling of sadness of despair and/or a loss of interest in things that were once pleasurable" (Olendorf 924). There are many symptoms that accompany depression, both mental and physical. Some of these symptoms include things such as:* Insomnia( sleeplessness) or hypersomnia (constant sleeping)* Feelings of worthlessness or guilt* Recurrent thoughts of suicide or death* Stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, or constipation* Dizziness, numbness, or memory problems (Ainsworth 10; Olendorf 926).
An event in this case maybe a death in the family or the loss of a job (Anders 487). A major episode will last for at least two years and in many cases will last on an average of sixteen years (Anders 487). Those who had caring partners were twice as likely to have their depression decrease ("The Influence" 212). There has also been research that concludes that an uncaring partner will increase depression. If someone believes that they suffer from depression or show any of the signs or symptoms it is best to seek medical attention. In a survey, 57% of those who had depression reported use of some type of alternative treatment either along with some sort of conventional therapy or on its own. Doctors say that the most effective treatment is a combination of therapy, medication, and a healthy lifestyle. Individuals with depression were more likely to return low-care scores, implicating that their partners were uncaring. There are many treatments that seem to be rather effective. People are becoming more and more aware of depression each day. Depression is the leading cause of suicide in the United States (Anders 489). The most popular types of alternative treatment are relaxation and spiritual healing. Because of the irregular heartbeat that may occur, these medications are not prescribed to the elderly very often. One in four women will suffer from depression, and the average age of a first onset is in the mid-twenties.
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