Depression
Twenty-three year old Janice was having a hard time getting out of bed everyday. She would often lie in her darkened room long past noon, disregarding the chores, her own grooming, and she rarely spent anytime with her five year old son Rory. Rory's care was put almost entirely into the hands of Janice's mother, Dorothea, who had taken both of them in after Janice's husband had left them. Janice, when she was out of the confines of her room, was constantly snapping at her mother and son, and her lack of appetite had caused the already petite girl to lose fifteen pounds in under a month. Dorothea became increasingly concerned with her daughter's restlessness and apathy, as well as some of the other problems with self-esteem and inability to concentrate. She sought out help at her church, and the pastor told Dorothea that he'd be sending a social worker to her home to interview Janice.It took no more than a few moments of talking with Janice, that the social worker could see definite symptoms of depression. She referred Janice to a psychologist who confirmed the assumption with a diagnosis of Single Episode Depression. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), characterizes depression as a mood diso
(6) Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day. D. The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication), or a general medical condition. (2) Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day (as indicated by either subjective account or observation made by others). B. The symptoms do not meet criteria for a Mixed Episode. Depression can affect anyone at anytime during their lives. It is not a weakness or failure. The disorder can be treated if the person who is suffering is able to recognize that they are in need of help. It effects more than just the person diagnosed, though. As the symptoms rise to the surface, someone who is irritable can cause a rift between family members, inactivity will promote a feeling on being unwanted, and feelings of worthlessness may lead to suicide, which hits everyone hard. It is extremely important for social workers to identify depression in their clients if they are to truly get back on their feet and become part of society again. (4) Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day. Fortunately, for those who are suffering from this disorder, treatment is vastly effective. Antidepressants fall under three main categories: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclics, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). SSRIs affect neurotransmitters in the brain such as dopamine and norepinephrine, and they generally have fewer side effects than tricyclics. MAOIs, while effective, can be fatal when mixed with foods that contain high levels of tyramine, such as many cheeses, wines and pickles . Psychotherapy, another form of treatment, often involves patients talking though their episodes in hopes of resolving their problems. Interpersonal therapists focus on the patient's disturbed personal relationships that both cause and exacerbate the depression. Cognitive-behavioral therapists help patients change the negative styles of thinking and behaving often associated with depression. Psychodynamic therapies focus on resolving the patient's internal conflicts. These therapies are often reserved until the depressive symptoms are significantly improved. In general, severe depressive illnesses, particularly those that are recurrent, will require medication along with, or preceding psychotherapy for the best outcome. Women and men of all socio-economic statuses are subject to a mood disorder, but it seems much more common in those who are at or under the poverty l
Some common words found in the essay are:
Mixed Episode, Edition DSM-IV, MAOIs SSRIs, University Georgia, Developmental Neuropsychiatry, Dorothea Janice's, Sanjay Gupta, Emory University, Twenty-three Janice, Rory Rory's, nearly day, substance abuse, 1 depressed mood, depressed mood, 1 depressed, functioning symptoms, involved onset, mood disorder, symptoms depression, social worker, mood 2,
Approximate Word count = 1720
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
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