Depression, Hallucination, and Suicide: Mental Cases

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Abstract

This paper will discuss case study number two, where it consist of two mental cases on two different casualties, one belongs to Raj who is 35 year old who was taken to a psychiatric hospital after experiencing mental disturbances that cumulated in him running away from his house saying they were assassins who were after him as he hid in a garden. The second case defines a case of young lady aged 28 years, she had started her adult life well this can be attested by her having a good career, after which she had a relationship breakup with her boyfriend, this forced her to go back to her mothers house where sadness engulfed her life after which she committed suicide through taking an overdoes. This paper will look insightly into these two cases basing them on the mental disorder spectrum and comparing the gender and race that has the highest susceptibility in each case, the two causalities being of different gender and different races, how do they cope with such phases in their respective lives. later on it will go on and explain methods of treatment that can be used to deter such outrageous consequences such as suicide.

Introduction

In both Ruth’s and Raj’s cases what can be asserted is that both are suffering from some form of mental disorder but their levels are not consistent. They both exhibit to be suffering from after effects of depression as they both have the symptoms associated with depression a mental disorder. How they handle the process determines the kind of aftermath they will experience for instance it can take the route of hallucinations which is treatable or suicide which is irreversible thus how each case is handled brings forth the end product of how to manage a depression case not to over flow to disastrous side effects that are times fatal. In the following paragraphs depression is going to be discussed in relation to the identified cases, symptoms, effects, treatment and what provision does mental act provide for the victims.

Depression

Depression is a common mental illness, it doesn’t choose the victims age, gender or race it can befall anyone. It is characterized by sudden mood swings the casualty may abhor feelings of helplessness and hopelessness thus making people be incapable of being able to go through their daily work routines. (Hyde and Forsyth, 2002) The symptoms associated with depression are varied thus making the illness not easy to identify in its early stages. Depression victims suffer from low self esteem which makes them not to trust their abilities in life; they perceive life to be a futile experience that doesn’t need to be taken too seriously this makes the victim not to value his or her own lives.

Symptoms of depression

Apart from the ones already mentioned they include the victims feel a sense of self hatred, constant questioning of thoughts and actions and a constant need of reassurance. Lack of appetite, physical aches, not being able to do even the simples of tasks. Another symptom that victims experience is lack of sleep (insomnia), this may make them have the tendency of sleeping during the day other than night thus their energy levels are low contributing to the mood swings changes that they experience. Though these symptoms are only experienced once or twice at a time, meaning that one can only experience two of the mentioned symptoms at ago, all can not take place at the same time. (Allen, 2001)

Effects of untreated depression

Depression is not an illness that is easily diagnosed especially with the victim or the family around him. Thus extended mourning periods can lead to untreated depression symptoms which may lead to mental disorders such as delusions and hallucinations or further fatal effects such as suicidal attempts. Public awareness programs should be set up through which the victims can be easily identified by the people around them, the mental acts contents too should be made public for the public awareness program to take firm roots in curbing depression problems while it’s still early. If depression goes untreated the after effects shows it self in the victim falling into hallucinations where the victims creates and sees images that are only envisioned to him. According to the case study our two victims were experiencing the two after effects of depression. For Raj’s case it’s treatable and can be followed though if left untreated he too may succumb to suicide thus the need of following through the mental act provision. Though for a suicidal attempt to take place gender and race plays a big role, Women tend to accept their depression status more readily than men; this may be a lead factor for them to commit suicide as a way of numbing the situation. Men tend to live in denial thus the depression period is extended leading to mental instability. Despite treatment many victims of depression tend to have bouts of it later in life. (Allen, 2001) most victims take to suicide as a way of numbing their pain that they get subjected as they go through depression, thus they should be exposed to early treatment and therapy to shine hope on them. They should also be enlightened on their rights as they try to face life at a second face.

Types of depression

There are three major types of depression, which include; maniac depression, this is mainly characterized by what Ruth was going through, sudden mood swings changes that tend to define the victims energy levels for instance when their energy levels are high then they feel elated and happy vice versa situation can be termed true. At times when she felt helpless and exuded that life had no meaning to her, her energy levels were low and thus she felt worthless. Postnatal depression is characterized by a person who has just given birth from two weeks to a span of two years; the other type of depression is the seasonal affective disorder which is associated with the approaching winter season. (Weisz and Valeri, 2006)

Causes of depression

Many factors can contribute to depression one of them being that of a family history of mental illness and depression thus can genetically be linked or caused by the chemical imbalances in the brain. People with low self esteem are said to have more likeness to suffer from depression although major traumatic events in life can also bring depression as in the case of Ruth she had invested a lot in her relationship and the break up caused her emotionally. For Ruth to take such a hideous and fatal cure to her problem she had unresolved issues. Due to the deflated self esteem the victim chances of developing depression is higher. Unresolved issues also in a traumatic experience can lead to disastrous effects such as irreversible mental disorders or suicide. In the following we are going to look at the relationship that exists between depression, suicide and anger, according to our case study Ruth had unresolved issues that needed to be addressed so as to prevent her from succumbing to suicide. All victims need an ear to their problems and insecurities, thus the need of having rehabilitation centers and following through the mental act to help the victims recover quickly (Allen, 2001)

Depression, Suicide and Anger

Anger can be defined as unresolved issue that when not confronted busts at the individuals seams.

Ruth had repressed anger in that she didn’t know how to exude it she was angry at her self because she took the fault to herself for the relationship not pulling through. Thus she blamed herself and thought to her self that life was futile, taking by notion that she was a go getter who had failed herself. Not once did she see the other side of the coin and shift blame to her boyfriend. The anger is brought about by the thought of losing someone’s love and protection which she experienced, she had invested her time and energy in this failed relationship and she felt worthless about it. She had no one to share her most intimate feelings about her situation thus her repressed anger that went further to destroy herself. (Hyde and Forsyth, 2002)

The other element

The dynamic of repressed anger is the motive behind depression, and this ultimately leads to thoughts of suicide. By keeping quite for long periods as one mourns the loss of affections of a dear one then guilt sets in as anger takes root, this is in the case where by the anger is not expressed but repressed. Guilt comes in when the victim makes it the scape goat of his situation as he tries to disengage his dependency of the lost loved one affections, this deludes one to self destruction. By Ruth accepting to be affected by the loss of her partner she became a partner of her own destruction if only she had shared her dilemma or joined an anonymous group to help her through other than seeking the confines of her childhood home where she felt safe from the rest of the world. The feeling of rejection and resentment are the total conceivers of suicidal thoughts and the final act she had accepted her partners judgments to affect her life. (Weisz and Valeri, 2006)

Depression in men and women what’s the difference

According to research carried out by the office of research on women’s health at the national institute of health the way women and men react to medication in depression cases are quite different, thus encompasses the patterns through which this gender experiences the diseases. Depression occurs differently across the gender spectrum this is because each gender has its own complexity net work when it comes to their individual biological, physiological, and sociological structure. Depression both in men and women tends to disrupt relationships and the daily lives of the victims. Most people don’t go for treatment and diagnosis thus they are prone to severe bouts in future. Naturally men have a high tendency of experiencing alcohol problems but women have a high tendency of meddling with alcoholic problems after and during depression bouts, the above explains why most women commit suicide during depression as they experiment on ways of numbing the problem as they experiment in drugs and alcohol. Depression is brought about by the chemical imbalance in the brain thus each gender has its own specified levels of serotonin production thus the levels of depression in each gender is different. The above explains why Ruth resulted to suicide compared to Raj who only experienced hallucinations and delusions that are treatable. Before puberty the ratio of experiencing depression is one to one although after puberty women are more prone to it. This comes to the issue of mood swings experienced by women during menstrual cycles, postpartum depression and perimenopuse, gender is not a political issue but a true biological issue that affects the frequency and expression of mental illness. (Hyde and Forsyth, 2002)

Race susceptibility

Black African women are highly susceptible to depression which is a number one factor that leads to suicide. Most of these women commit suicide because they don’t seek for diagnose and treatment. Though the ratio of women susceptibility; to depression still stands as compared to men in relation to ethnicity. Most of the black American tends to think and perceive that depression is a sign of personal weakness and not a genuine health problem. In other ethnicity it may be deemed as a curse which is highly abhorred. In the white fraternity is more acceptable and is open to medication and therapy. In the African traditional setting mental illness and depression is associated with black magic thus most people are alienated and resented. (Hyde and Forsyth, 2002)

Treatment

Depression can be treated medically by use of anti-depressants that are proscribed by a professional doctor. (O’Connor, 2003) Although anti depressants are effective they can cause numerous side effects though each Individual responds differently to medication thus the doctor has the choice of applying medication uniquely to an individual patient. Psychotherapy can be used this can be done through counseling which is carried out by trained professionals. (Adams, Millerand Zylstra, 2008) Short term therapy can take quick session of ten to twenty minutes can help the victim this could have helped Ruth and Raj who needed counseling and also medication. Joining anonymous groups can also help recovering patients who can rebuild their self esteem and cure the effects of alienation and feelings of resentment. (Allen, 2001)

The Mental Health Act

For effective management of mental disorders there is need for the legislation to take its course. Victims should know their rights and know when they become a danger to themselves and to the society. Also these enactments should be done in safeguarding the victim’s rights in the course of treatment. The mental health act spells out how people with mental illness can be detained and be treated, it’s involuntary. Thus if a victim is deemed to be a danger to the society or himself he has no right other than him being admitted involuntary. For the act to be implemented the victim should be a suffered of a mental disorder, if he is a danger to himself or others, and if there is no alternative other than being forced to be admitted. The act defines mental disorder as the state where by the victim is unable to judge properly, his perceptions are blurred her moods are not systematical physician should be able to asses the victim according to the act and be able to determine whether the victim is eligible to the mental act procedures. The act clearly spells out the rights of the victims such as the right to visitors, and rights to accept treatment. The above measure should be taken to safeguard the rights of the patients for his safety and protection against self harm. In case of treatment being carried in early stages where rehabilitation should be effected. In the case of Raj he should be admitted to hospital to safe guard his rights as well as his well being which has become an issue in that he can run out of the house in the middle of the night and get killed. By using the mental health act Raj will be confined into a health facility that will enable him get treatment and his case will be closely monitored. The above should be done before it exceeds to the level of suicidal attempt, in case of Ruth if her case was determined earlier she would be saved through the mental act.

Conclusion

Depression is a disease that doesn’t choose the color, the race, the gender of its victim. It can happen to anyone at any point of their lives. Thus community awareness should be empowered for people to know that it has detrimental effects to the victim if it goes undetected such as suicidal and even mental illness with bouts of hallucinations and delusions. Self groups should be mobilized at the societal stage this will make the victims t feel part of the community and not something to be ashamed of making the victims to know how to express their anger and guilt.

Bibliography

Adams M, Miller K and Zylstra G. (2008) Pharmacologic management of adult depression Am FAM Physician. pp 785-92

Allen, J. (2001). Traumatic relationships and serious mental disorders West Sussex, England: Wiley & Sons, Ltd. pp 130-170

O’Connor, R. (2003). An integrative approach; to treatment of depression, Journal of Psychotherapy Integration13 (2), pp 130-170

Hyde M., and Forsyth, (2002) E.H.Depression: What You Need to Know. Watts publishers pp 130-170

Weisz J. and Valeri, S (2006) Effects of psychotherapy for depression in children and adolescents: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 132(1), pp132-149

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