Fighting More Than the Blues: A Look into Depressive Disorders Essay

Fighting More Than the Blues: A Look into Depressive Disorders This paper will focus on depressive disorders, and it will describe what they are, how they manifest themselves, what causes them and/or what makes certain individuals susceptible to the disorder as compared to others. This piece will also describe the most common treatment practices, and the effectiveness of these treatments. It will conclude by offering some testimonials from individuals who suffer from depressive disorders as well as some additional commentary about depressive disorders and their implications/challenges. What is depression? A depressive disorder is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts. It affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away. A depressive disorder is exactly that—a disorder; therefore, people with a depressive illness cannot will themselves to get better they can't just pull themselves together. A depressive disorder requires treatment. (1) ("Depression 1) Are there different types of depressive disorders? Depressive disorders take on different forms. There are three common types of depressive disorders. They are major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disorder. Major depression is characterized by a combination of symptoms that interfere with an individual's ability to work, study, sleep, and eat. Symptoms include but are not limited to the following: persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood, feelings of hopelessness, feelings of guilt, helplessness, worthlessness, decreased energy, fatigue, appetite and/or weight loss, or overeating and weight gain, ... .... 2003. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/depression.cfm 2) Depression: An Overview, Continuing Medical Education. 26 Oct. 2003. http://www.mhsource.com/depression/overview.html 3) Dealing with the Depths of Depression, Nordenberg, Liora. "Dealing with the Depths of Depression." HealingWell.com. 26 Oct. 2003, pp 3-4. http://www.healingwell.com/library/depression/nordenberg1.asp 4) Dealing with the Depths of Depression , Nordenberg, Liora. "Dealing with the Depths of Depression." HealingWell.com. 26 Oct. 2003, pp 4-6. http://www.healingwell.com/library/depression/nordenberg1.asp 5) Depression. National Institute of Mental Health http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/depression.cfm 6) Melancholy Nation , Schrof, Joannie M, and Stacey Schultz. "Melancholy Nation." U.S. News & World Report Archive. http://www.newjerusalem.com/archive-report.html