Depression And Healthcare

17 Pages 4134 Words

Depression and Healthcare in Our Society
“In any given 1-year period, 9.5 percent of the population, or about 18.8 million American adults, suffer from a depressive illness. The economic cost for this disorder is high, but the cost in human suffering cannot be estimated. Depressive illnesses often interfere with normal functioning and cause pain and suffering not only to those who have a disorder, but also to those who care about them. Serious depression can destroy family life as well as the life of the ill person. But much of this suffering is unnecessary”(NIMH).
There are three main categories of depressive disorder such as: dysthymia, depression and bipolar depression (manic depression). Depression tends to be a chronic and recurring illness. Dysthymia unlike clinical depression tends to be milder persistent symptoms that may last for years. The third depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, cycles between extreme highs (manias) and major depressive episodes, bipolar being the least common of the three. Depression affects 15 percent of Americans at one point during their lives (NIMH).
Depression has affected the lives of children, teenagers and adults throughout the world. Of all the other mental illnesses, depression is the most treatable, and most commonly diagnosed. Eighty percent of the symptoms of serious depression can be successfully alleviated. There are three common treatments for depression; psychotropic drugs, psychosocial therapies and electroconvulsive therapy. Even a combination of these can be very effective in treating individuals, so that they are able to move on and live productive lives.
Another major misconception about depression is that anytime you are feeling sad, you are depressed. Depression is more than just feeling down, it is a persistent feeling for at least two weeks, with many physiological as well as emotional symptoms. Including at least five of the following: depressed mood, diminish...