You are on page 1of 8

Cortez 1

Depression

Cristian Cortez

12th grade English

Mr. Janosch

January 6th 2017


Cortez 2

Depression

You know what they say Life's like a bucket of wood shavings unless it's a pail then it's

a pail of wood shavings. This has nothing to do with the topic but hopefully it made you laugh

and smile. Everyone deserves to be happy but thats not the case in certain people especially

people with depression. Depression has a serious toll on people whom has this illness and people

think it's just sadness and people could get over it just like that when it's more serious than that.

Sometimes people with depression commit suicide or harm themselves. Depression has a huge

toll on someone's life in the future and the people around them.

Depression is a mental illness that makes the person go in a slump mood and have lost of

interest in activities. If you ever seen Winnie the Pooh you would remember Eeyore the donkey

who was always gloomy and upset and not even motivated at all. Certain people are like that and

some people are even worst. Theres things that increase the chances of depression some of that

includes physical sexual or emotional abuse. Depression could take a toll even after many years

that the abuse has taken place.Some medication could also cause depression. Some medicines are

meant to help the person out but it has a side effect.

In certain people, drugs may lead to depression. For example, medications such

as barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and the acne drug isotretinoin (formerly sold as Accutane, now

Absorica, Amnesteem, Claravis, Myorisan, Zenatane) have sometimes been associated with

depression, especially in older people. Likewise, medications such as corticosteroids, opioids

(codeine, morphine), and anticholinergics taken to relieve stomach cramping can sometimes

cause changes and fluctuations in mood ( Jaliman pg 3 ).


Cortez 3

Genetics, substance abuse, Grief, and personal problems also plays a part of depression.

The stress of personal problems makes a person antisocial and be a castaway from family and

friends since the stress overwhelms and you keep everything to yourself. Substance abuse like

drinking or drugs increases the chances of having depression since you know you have no idea

what you're doing when you're drunk or on drugs it doesn't take the feeling away aftewards and

plus you're messing up your body in the meanwhile. Grief is a major one because the lost of a

family member or a close friends makes a person feel empty and emotions are over the place. It

doesn't even have to be a lost in a family it could be a loss in job, loss in a pet and many other

stuff.

Anyone can experience grief and loss, but not everyone will experience clinical

depression, which differs from grief in that depression involves a range of other symptoms such

as feelings of low self-worth, negative thoughts about the future, and suicide, whereas grief

involves feelings of emptiness, loss and longing for a loved one, with an intact capacity to feel

pleasure. Each person is unique in how he or she copes with these feelings ( Jaliman pg 3).

To get diagnosed with depression by going to the doctor and they would ask certain

questions like how long have you have that or have you taken any medications before this and

other questions. There are symptoms to look out for if you do have depression

Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions, fatigue and

decreased energy, feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness, feelings of hopelessness

and/or pessimism, Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping,Irritability,

restlessness,loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex, overeating or

appetite loss, persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease
Cortez 4

even with treatment, persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" feelings, thoughts of suicide, suicide

attempts (Goldberg pg 3).

Depression could affect the daily lives of someone and they wouldnt even notice. When

people are depressed they dont want to do anything at all.The lack of motivation makes them

stay inside and not do anything at all. Sometimes they wont even have the urge to eat anything

at all to binge eating. This causes a problem since a person could be extremely skinny or

extremely overweight.

Eating disorders frequently occur with depression and anxiety disorders.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, eating disorders are marked by extremes.

They occur when someone severely reduces food intake or overeats to the extreme. Treatment

may include antidepressants.The two most common types of eating disorders are anorexia

nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Eating disorders are most common among teenage girls and

women. These disorders often get worse the longer they go untreated. The lack of nutrition

associated with eating disorders can harm the body's organs and, in severe cases, lead to death

(Goldberg pg 4).

Depression also affects a person sleep even though many people stay up and watch

netflix's but it may not seem it now but it would affect you in the future and with school going on

theyll feel tired and miss work and stresses them even more.

Depression also has a higher chance of getting diseases and disorders. Some includes

Anxiety disorder, panic disorders, and social phobia.Anxiety is usually a natural sign of stress

but with depression it's a different story when that happens it stresses both the person and their

family member. It could also have a higher chance of cardiac arrest in the future when theyre

older.
Cortez 5

Washington, March 17 (IANS) A new study suggests that depression suffered

during teens may predispose people to higher cardiac risk factors as adults.Active smokers as

adolescents are twice as likely to die by the age of 55 than non-smokers, and we see similar risks

with obesity, so finding this link between childhood depression and these risk factors suggests

that we need to very closely monitor young people who have been depressed.

The study conducted by scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and

the University of Pittsburgh suggests that depression, even in children, can increase the risk of

heart problems later in life("Teenage depression linked to cardiac risk factors." IANS, 17 Mar.

2013. Health Reference Center Academic),

Not only the person depression also has a toll on close friends and family member it may

not seem like it but deep down inside it hurts them. Family and friends always worry when

something is wrong with the person because they care about them. Sometimes parents dont

understand the situation and things that youre just sad and don't know the reality. Depression in

someone could also cause conflict between someone who doesn't know or understand what

depression actually is. The person would sometimes feel like nobody would care at all so they

keep them to themselves and not say a single word.

The behaviors and mood of a depressed person affect the whole family. There's

the irritability, which sets off conflicts and derails family dynamics. The negative thought

patterns, which become a prism of pessimism for everyone. The withdrawal that literally disrupts

relationships and breeds wholesale feelings of rejection. There are major responsibilities that get

displaced. There is a general burden of stress.And yet, families can be major forces of care,

comfort, even cure. They are crucial to proper recognition and treatment of the disorder, not just

at the beginning but throughout. They are the de facto caregivers, willingly or not. They
Cortez 6

contribute powerfully to the emotional atmosphere the depressed person inhabits, and so can be

agents of recovery. Or not. Yes, depression has a huge impact on families. And families have a

huge impact on depression(Marano). This could also cause conflicts in friends because

sometimes they would feel that theyre not helping out at all or theres nothing wrong at all.

People would try to understand what depression is and would try to help but sometimes

the help isn't really helpful at all. To help a person try to be there for them and try to take them

out somewhere. Depression is no laughing matter and it could become bad to the point where

suicide is on their mind. You would always be there for them and try to support them as best as

you can. Try to also get their loved ones involved so you wouldnt be the only one trying .

Be a compassionate listener rather than giving advice

1. Provide whatever assistance the person needs (and is willing to accept)


2. Take walks or do other physical activities together
3. Take care of yourself so that you are able to stay positive
4. Encourage a healthy diet by cooking and eating together
5. Learn more by reading the related articles

Depression is a serious condition. Dont underestimate the seriousness of depression. Depression

drains a persons energy, optimism, and motivation. Your depressed loved one cant just snap

out of it by sheer force of will. The symptoms of depression arent personal. Depression makes

it difficult for a person to connect on a deep emotional level with anyone, even the people he or

she loves most. In addition, depressed people often say hurtful things and lash out in anger.

Remember that this is the depression talking, not your loved one, so try not to take it personally.

Hiding the problem wont make it go away. Dont be an enabler. It doesnt help anyone involved

if you are making excuses, covering up the problem, or lying for a friend or family member who

is depressed. In fact, this may keep the depressed person from seeking treatment.

You cant fix someone elses depression. Dont try to rescue your loved one from depression.
Cortez 7

Its not up to you to fix the problem, nor can you. Youre not to blame for your loved ones

depression or responsible for his or her happiness (or lack thereof). Ultimately, recovery is in the

hands of the depressed person.(Barton et al.)

Depression is a problem and we lost so many people from depression. If we all help out

and support the people who have it we wouldnt lose people. Depression could be overcome and

it might be tough but they would achieve happiness again.

Work Cited

-"Teenage depression linked to cardiac risk factors." IANS, 17 Mar. 2013. Health Reference Center

Academic, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&sw=w&u=nysl_me_73_shb&v=2.1&id=GALE

%7CA322635190&it=r&asid=9c9399eb140ec8c0ba68b3bd11799f7d. Accessed 22 Dec. 2016n

-"Depression: A Family Matter." Psychology Today. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Dec. 2016.

-Goldberg, Joseph. "Signs of Clinical Depression: Symptoms to Watch For." WebMD. WebMD, n.d.
Web. 05 Jan. 2017.
Cortez 8

-Jaliman, Debra. "Causes of Depression: Genetics, Illness, Abuse, and More." WebMD. WebMD, n.d.

Web. 05 Jan. 2017

You might also like