Depression Paper
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- Date Submitted: 02/26/2012 10:01 PM
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Depression Paper
PSY/270
In the mental health world, there are many different forms of health issues. Unfortunately, unlike a physical ailment, people generally cannot diagnose themselves correctly. If your tooth hurts, you can safely say you have a toothache, but if your heart hurts, there can be an infinite number of causes. Two of the most common, and most difficult to live with, illnesses are Unipolar and Bipolar. The purpose of this paper is to try to define the differences and similarities between the two. These two mental illnesses are discussed separately throughout the paper, starting with unipolar depression.
The nonprofessional who is most knowledgeable of bipolar depression less often refers to unipolar depression. Unipolar depression, commonly referred to as simply “depression” is different from bipolar depression in several ways. Unipolar depression tends to show up later in life. There are often incidents of depression that last for up to six months at a time, but they do not display the extreme mood swings associated with bipolar depression. Although no one knows for sure, in every case, why people suffer from depression, there are cases that stem from particular reasons. Genetics, drug abuse, a traumatic incident, and even a social mishap can lead to depression. Every individual handles life differently.
Just as the causes are varied, so are the symptoms. They can include, but are not limited to, irritability, gaining or losing weight, being excessively tired, needing copious amounts of sleep, or getting no sleep at all, isolation, and suicidal thoughts are some of the symptoms that lead doctors to a diagnosis of depression. Only a professional can truly determine if a person is depressed or simply having trouble dealing with a life issue. Not sleeping for a night could indicate you had a fight with your spouse, whereas, not sleeping for a month may indicate a much bigger problem.
Thankfully, in today’s world, there are...
PSY/270
In the mental health world, there are many different forms of health issues. Unfortunately, unlike a physical ailment, people generally cannot diagnose themselves correctly. If your tooth hurts, you can safely say you have a toothache, but if your heart hurts, there can be an infinite number of causes. Two of the most common, and most difficult to live with, illnesses are Unipolar and Bipolar. The purpose of this paper is to try to define the differences and similarities between the two. These two mental illnesses are discussed separately throughout the paper, starting with unipolar depression.
The nonprofessional who is most knowledgeable of bipolar depression less often refers to unipolar depression. Unipolar depression, commonly referred to as simply “depression” is different from bipolar depression in several ways. Unipolar depression tends to show up later in life. There are often incidents of depression that last for up to six months at a time, but they do not display the extreme mood swings associated with bipolar depression. Although no one knows for sure, in every case, why people suffer from depression, there are cases that stem from particular reasons. Genetics, drug abuse, a traumatic incident, and even a social mishap can lead to depression. Every individual handles life differently.
Just as the causes are varied, so are the symptoms. They can include, but are not limited to, irritability, gaining or losing weight, being excessively tired, needing copious amounts of sleep, or getting no sleep at all, isolation, and suicidal thoughts are some of the symptoms that lead doctors to a diagnosis of depression. Only a professional can truly determine if a person is depressed or simply having trouble dealing with a life issue. Not sleeping for a night could indicate you had a fight with your spouse, whereas, not sleeping for a month may indicate a much bigger problem.
Thankfully, in today’s world, there are...