You
walk into homeroom, thinking everything is the same as it was the day before.
You look at the room around you, and you realize the kid sitting next to you is
consistently sleeping in class. You think nothing of it. As the year goes on, that
kid is always fighting with the teacher, that is, when he decides to show up to
school. Then you see his face pop up on the news. His mother is crying. You
wonder how you didn’t notice, you sat right next to him, how did you not
notice? This scene is all more common than you would expect. Depression is
currently the most common mental illness affecting teens (Cash). Chances are,
in a school of 1,000 people, at least 100 of those people are suffering from
depression (1). Let’s take a further look into the depression epidemic and see
how if it affects you.
History
Depression is not
something that has just recently began affecting mankind. In its earliest
recorded accounts, depression went by a different name, “melancholia”, sounding
quite similar to ‘melancholy’ which typically means a feeling of sadness with
no adherent reason behind it (Nemade). Many early civilizations, including the
early Egyptians, Babylonians, and Chinese, believed depression was caused by
evil spirits that were inhabiting the hosts mind, driving them mad (1). These
patients were sent to priest, rather than physicians, as people believed
depression to be less of a physical disease and more of a spiritual one (1).
However, early Greek and Romans were far closer to the truth than these other
ancient civilizations. They believed that depression was a biological disease
rather than spiritual, and would occur whenever there was an excess of what the
Greeks deemed the four main components of one’s body: blood, yellow bile, black
bile, and phlegm (McKay). They would prescribe various kinds of exercise, diets
and other ailments to affect symptoms of depression (Nemade). A 2nd
century Roman doctor named Galen hypothesized that some may be born with a
proneness to the disease, making them much more susceptible to its symptoms
(McKay).
As we moved towards the Middle Ages, treatment did not
advance much for those with depression. As religion grew in influence, many
attributed depression to the haunting of an evil spirit or witch, leading to an
increase in exorcisms and other rather drastic measures, such as burning, as
treatments (Nemade). Many times, those that were mentally ill, rather than try
to help them, were thrown into “lunatic asylums”, left to rot away as they
delve into their own madness (1). Mistreatment of those with depression and
mental illnesses continued on into the early 19th century. The
disposition that depressed people were unchangeable led to these people being
shunned by the public, resulting in many of those with mental illnesses being
poor or homeless, if they weren’t put in an asylum (1). It wasn’t until the mid-19th
century that treatment started to turn around for those with depression. Thanks
to developments in biology and psychology, we were finally able to reach our
modern understanding of depression.
Social
Effects
Depression has
made itself know in the early 21st century. Suicide and depression
has come to the forefront of several platforms of mass media. Television has
become a way to chronicle tales of young people with mental illness, with shows
such as “13 Reasons Why” and “End of the F***ing World” on Netflix, and the
award nominated “This is Us” on NBC each depicting mental illness and
depression with varying degrees of success (Virzi). While shows like “This is
Us” received acclaim for their realistic depiction of depression and the
addictive behaviors that arise as coping mechanisms, others like “13 Reasons
Why” have been destroyed by critics for the way they romanticize suicide and
depict depression as an unescapable death sentence. Television isn’t the only
place the media is discussing depression. Several musical artists have recently
began to express their troubles both in their music and in their interviews. Artists
such and Kid Cudi, Kehlani, and Kanye West have all been outspoken about their
battles with depression and after a close look, it can be seen in their music
(Haines). As plenty of “feels” music floods the sound waves, teens struggling
are able to find themselves in this music.
A reason for the increase of depression pop culture may
be there increase of depression in teens. Though behaviors such as moodiness
and angst have come to describe the years during which one is a teenager, some
of these behaviors can be attributed to depression. According to a national
study, depression in teens has increased by 37% from 2005 to 2014 (Schrobsdorff).
Depression is said to be affecting over three million children ranging from the
ages 12-17, each experiencing at least one extreme depressive episode,
sometimes involving suicidal behavior (1). Even more alarming is the fact that
women seem be affected even more, with their rates being more than double those
of men (1). As rates rise, many are
wondering what is causing the rapid increase. Some experts, counselor Ellen
Chance, believe the thing that makes us most connected is what is causing some
to feel so alone. Chance says,” I couldn’t tell you how
many students are being malicious to each other over Instagram. I’ve had cases
where girls don’t to come to school and they are cutting themselves and
becoming severely depressed because they feel outcasted and targeted.” (1).
Cyber-bullying is an epidemic all onto itself, and is making it all the more
accessible for bullies to torment at all hours and locations. Some attribute
the growing depression rates in teens to idea that teens may simply be more
open to sharing their problems now (Sugarman). Due to its increased presence in
the media, teens may now see it as ‘okay’ to be depressed, as opposed to hiding
in the shadows for fear of being shunned as people with the disease once were.
Examples
Depression can take many forms. The various types include
persistent depressive disorder (last two years), postpartum depression,
(happens after women give birth), psychotic depression (depression along with
delusions or hallucinations), or seasonal affective depression (depression
during winter due to a decrease in natural sunlight) (Depression). Those
dealing with depression face multiple symptoms, including weight gain, an
‘empty’ feeling, decreased energy and focus, just to name a few (1). Commonly,
depressive moods and symptoms tend to happen over a period of two weeks at
least (1). Some depressive episodes can lead to suicidal thoughts and actions.
No one is immune to depressive moods. Many people go
through life without anyone knowing of their struggles. Some of the greatest
people to ever live dealt with depression every day. Abraham Lincoln, our
nation’s 16th president, was plagued with his own inner struggles
(Shenk). Many of his close acquaintances said it was rather typical of Lincoln
to go into moods of unexplainable melancholy (1). He was said to have made
jokes and told stories at inappropriate times simply because “he just need the
laughs” (1). After the death of a close
friend in the mid 1830’s, those close to Lincoln said the following:
He seemed quite changed, he seemed
Retired, & loved Solitude, he seemed wraped in profound thought,
indifferent, to transpiring Events, had but Little to say, but would take his
gun and wander off in the woods by him self, away from the association of even
those he most esteemed, this gloom seemed to deepen for some time, so as to
give anxiety to his friends in regard to his Mind (1).
Lincoln’s inner turmoil
tormented him through much of his life, but it may have been what allowed him
to be a man of great character and composure in the face of great controversy.
Solutions
Depression at times can feel like it has an inescapable
grip on one’s life. It invades your everyday from every outlet it can, causing
a suffocation one can only hope to avoid for mere minutes to just catch their
breath. But it does not have to be this way for these troubled souls. Various
professionals have begun working on what they believe to be the best solutions
for this troubling disease.
Some specialists are
looking to nature as a way to battle depression. Cori Burke, a naturopathic
doctor, believes that using a special mix of herbs can help limit depressive
behaviors. The herbs should be used
individually and specialized for the specific patients one is treating (Burke).
Burke said the following about one of her patients:
I prescribed an herbal formula to support the
adrenal glands and nervous system containing Avena sativa, Melissa officinalis,
Scutellaria lateriflora, Panax quinquefolius, and Rhodiola rosea. This formula
was chosen in part to address her past history of PTSD and TBI. One week later,
the patient reported that her energy had improved within a few days of starting
the tincture and she was starting to wake feeling refreshed.
When another episode of
MDD occurred, I added a second botanical formula, which contained Hypericum
perforatum, Actaea racemosa, Verbena hastate, and a few drops of a
Love-Lies-Bleeding flower essence. Flower essences can be a gentle yet powerful
addition to an herbal tincture. They are highly individualized to specific
types of mood concerns and may help to address the emotional and spiritual
imbalances and traumas underlying a person’s experience. I find that many patients
appreciate being involved in choosing flower essences to add to their treatment
(Burke).
Burke’s findings and
treatments have worked as ways to fight the effects of depressive moods, but
cannot keep them from coming. The patient’s experience brief relief, yet the
herbs can only counterbalance the moods, not keep them away.
There are other avenues
for patients to explore if antidepressants or other forms of chemical balancing
doesn’t work. For those who suffer from depression caused by a chemical imbalance
not derived from a specific event, one solution offered up is ECT, or
electroconvulsive therapy (Baugh). In this kind of treatment, electric currents
are sent into the patient’s brain, targeting specific areas, causing a seizure
that rewires one’s brain (1). Treatments are continued for three times a week,
for three weeks (1). However, this treatment is not without its downfalls. ECT
is often a last resort, as many people have an unpopular opinion on it due to
negative depictions of it in media, such as the movie “One Flew Over The
Cuckoo’s Nest” (1). Though it is not nearly as sinister as popular culture
would depict it, there are still serious drawbacks. One professional says the
following on a study in he used the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated
Battery to measure the effects on the brain:
[I] found significant impairments in visual
and visuospatial memory and that most impairments resolved one month following
ECT. [I] also found, however, that in some cases significant impairments of
spatial recognition memory remained. They included that this is one of only a
few studies that have detected anterograde memory deficits more than two weeks
after treatment (Falconer).
What this means is that
in some cases, patients experience short term memory loss, sometimes causing
permanent memory loss (Baugh). This typically causes many to avoid this type of
treatment. ECT is normally only recommended to those who cannot take
antidepressants with an already prescribed medicine (1). This, like the herbal
remedies, does not keep depression at bay forever, and treatments must be
continued.
The sad truth may just be
that this disease cannot be conquered. The disease’s desire to live can almost
correlate with the victim’s lack of desire for the same thing. Sometimes,
depending on how the depression has taken ahold of the brain, the disease can
be resistant to most treatments (Psychiatry). One case study describes a
patient that struggled with depression and anxiety and his experiences:
The patient first
experienced depressive mood symptoms at age 15. At that time, he had begun to
feel as though he couldn’t experience emotions and was “dead inside.” By age
19, his mood was depressed and irritable often, and he experienced loss of
pleasure from activities he previously enjoyed. However, his academic
performance and personal achievement, first in school and then at work,
remained stellar.
At age 29, the patient
found himself easily fatigued despite excessive sleep. His energy was
persistently low. His capacity to be productive at work was drastically
reduced. He was psychiatrically hospitalized for a major depressive episode and
was treated aggressively with a combination of psychotherapy and
pharmacotherapy, which continued going forward (Psychiatry)
Later in the study, the
patient is described as using treats such as “antibiotics, acupuncture, over-the-counter
supplements, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and hyperbaric oxygen” (1). All
were to no avail. Sometimes the chemistry in one’s brain simply cannot be
changed, memories cannot be erased. How to correct the faulty wiring in one’s
head has stumped doctors and other professionals for a long time, and it seems
like there is no clear cut solution on how to end it just yet.
Camus,
Absurdity, and Depression
Albert Camus, a prominent figure in the world of
absurdism, says life has no meaning. This directly correlates with the life
view of those enduring depressive moods. However, Camus does not promote a
meaningless life, something may people who are depressed may believe that they
have. Camus takes a serious stance against suicide, which can be an outcome of
depressive episodes (Camus, Albert). Put bluntly, Camus has simply said
“Suicide is not an option” (1). After digging a little deeper, Camus’s
reasoning is better explained. Camus finds suicide absurd because it is a
permanent solution to a temporary problem. Killing one’s self to avoid specific
problems or painful memories doesn’t even actually solve one’s problems, as
those problems still exist, they have just been pushed onto someone else to
deal with. Camus strongly supports riding out the absurdism of life and
thriving through the chaos.
Conclusion
It is hard for one to hide from their own demons, but
millions are forced to each day, hoping to endure and survive this battle with
their own brain. With new technology such as social media, some must endure
more than their own tormenting mind and fall victim to other’s tormenting. As
more and more people become consumed by their own mind it is possible they pass
their faulty chemistry down to their children. Are we on the verge of an epidemic,
about to deal with a generation whose biggest issue to tackle is themselves?
Pray you maintain peace of mind.
Works
Cited
Baugh,
Barbara. “Health Psychology Home Page.” ECT and Depression Treatment,
Vanderbilt University Psychology Department , 4 Oct. 2009,
healthpsych.psy.vanderbilt.edu/2009/ECT_Depression.htm.
Burke,
Cori Lisa. “Case Study: Herbal Treatment of Depression.” Naturopathic Doctor
News and Review, Naturopathic Doctor News and Review, 1 Mar. 2017,
ndnr.com/mindbody/case-study-herbal-treatment-of-depression/
“Camus,
Albert.” Edited by James Fieser and Bradley Dowden, Internet Encyclopedia of
Philosophy, www.iep.utm.edu/camus/#H5.
Cash,
R. E. (2003). When depression brings teens down. The Education Digest, 69(3),
35-42. Retrieved from https://ezproxy.com.edu/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/
218185007?accountid=7022
“Depression.”
National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, Feb. 2018, www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml.
Falconer,
D. W., Cleland, J., Fielding, S., & Reid, I. C. (2009). Using the Cambridge
Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) to assess the cognitive
impact of electroconvulsive therapy on visual and visuospatial memory.
Psychological Medicine.
Haines,
Ashley. “Public Displays of Depression: Mental Illness in the Current Fabric of
Pop Culture.” HYPEBAE, HYPEBAE, 26 Aug. 2016,
hypebae.com/2016/4/public-displays-of-depression-pop-culture.
McKay,
Brett. “The History of Depression.” The Art of Manliness, 26 Jan. 2018,
www.artofmanliness.com/2015/03/16/the-history-of-depression/.
Nemade,
Rashmi. “Historical Understandings Of Depression.” Mental Help Historical
Understandings of Depression Comments, 19 Sept. 2007, www.mentalhelp.net/articles/historical-understandings-of-depression.
“Psychiatry.”
Complex Case Study: Treatment Resistant Depression | Psychiatry, NYU Langone
Health, 2014,
med.nyu.edu/psych/news-and-events/newsletter-physicians/complex-case-study-treatment-resistant-depression.
Schrobsdorff,
Susanna. “Teen Depression on the Rise Says New Pediatrics Study.” Time, Time,
16 Nov. 2016,
time.com/4572593/increase-depression-teens-teenage-mental-health/.
Shenk,
Joshua Wolf. “Lincoln's Great Depression.” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media
Company, 1 Oct. 2005, www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2005/10/lincolns-great-depression/304247/.
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Joe. “The Rise of Teen Depression.” Johns Hopkins Health Review, Johns Hopkins
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www.johnshopkinshealthreview.com/issues/fall-winter-2017/articles/the-rise-of-teen-depression.
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TV Shows That Got Anxiety and Depression (Mostly) Right.” The Mighty, 11 Jan.
2018, themighty.com/2018/01/anxiety-depression-tv-shows-good-po
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