Category: Depression

Video games: A game played by electronically manipulating images produced by a computer program on a television screen or other display screen. Pre-teens in America have been linked to the problem of depression due to video games. Video games are almost constantly blamed by people to cause depression. They are also said to be the cause of some mass shootings in the United States. Though people say these things occur due to video games, they really don’t. Video games don’t cause depression in teens and adults in America because they help teens become more social and helps them fight depression.

Video games have evolved so much from even five years ago, Every new game changes on how they look and play. At the beginning, video games were simple 2D image games where players stomp on mushrooms, hit their head on blocks, and collect power-ups. Now games have become more complex, and even more realistic. Players can drive around cities in exotic cars they only dreamed of having, fight as a soldier in war, and go to space. The gaming industry has also made competitive sport out of itself. Companies back in the 80’s era have also attempted to make more violent video games such as Mortal Kombat, Wolfenstein, and Doom, but violent video games never made a huge impact, but came the 2000s and 2010s, and companies had finally made realistic games that almost felt as if the player is there. Over 50% of today’s games are made up of graphic violence and gore. “Scientists found associations between high video game use and better social skills and school performance.” says Doug Boulton. “91% of Gen Z males regularly play video games, only incrementally higher than Millennials (84%),” says Alex Strauss. There are mainly two generations that play video games the most, a Millennial, a person who reaches young adulthood in the early 21st century and Gen Z are people born around the late 1990s and the early 2010s. Now that the brief background is set, next is to talk about the topics that video games can make people more social and fight depression.

People say there is really no benefit to games and mostly disadvantages, but games can actually make people more social and is even said to help people fight depression. Columbia University has studied pre-teens and the study is said to have found that those children have often better peer relationships and social skills. Katherin M. Keyes PhD says, “Video games playing is often a collaborative leisure activity for school-aged children, and these results indicate that children who frequently play video games may be socially cohesive with peers and integrated into the school community”. Researchers say,”Studies have shown that gaming can be a powerful treatment for depression for people of all ages”. According to some researchers around 41% of young teens say that games help them escape the struggles of everyday life whether that be depression, anxiety, stress, etc.. A way for someone to fight depression with video games is to play their favorite game with a positive goal like developing creativity (like Minecraft), learning to solve new problems (like Portal), getting better at being able to bounce back from failure (Like Call of Duty). All video games have their own way of helping people get more social and they can help fight the extremely horrible, depression.

Video games can result in depression, low self-esteem, and anxiety. A study suggests that video games affect players physically and mentally. A group of researchers say, “Heavy gamers, who played an average of 31 hours a week, compared with 19 hours a week for other students, were more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety and social phobias.” Findings of another study also says that teenagers aged 13 to 18 who used the internet excessively were twice as likely to get depression months later. MRI scans have revealed the potential damage that video games have done to the brains of adolescents. Psychiatrists say, “The “emotional” part of the brain, responsible for the feelings of depression, was shown to be overriding the “executive” part of the brain that could rein in their addiction”. Video games are causing damage to the minds of young adolescents and they will continue to be damaged more and more if people don’t help them.

Video games don’t cause depression in teens and adults in America due to the fact that it helps teens become more social and helps them fight depression. Video games have evolved from something as simple as a 2D where a player can run, jump, and collect power-ups to being able to be in a realistic 3D world where people can play as a soldier at war, drive exotic cars in cities, or cast spells as a magical wizard, and more. The possibilities really expanded when the 21st century came and made games even more fun. Research states that teens can fight depression by playing games and has also been able to improve social skills. It is said that if teens play a game with a goal, they are helping themselves mentally either to fight against their depression or to prevent it. Video games are the harbinger of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem the more addicted children are to video games, the more likely they are to get these mental illnesses. Video games are an attempt to help people get entertainment/fun in the virtual world where anything is possible causing depression was never a goal for the gaming industry to make.

Suicide is a subject that is not openly talked about in society. The act of taking one’s life of their own causing death results directly or indirectly act of the victim themselves which they know the consequences of. According to Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC 1960), the attempt to die by suicide was a criminal offense, however, the Indian parliament in MCHA 2017 has implied the change of word for mental illness into severe stress that has been drafted in 2016. Furthermore, Malaysia has criminalized the act of suicide under section 309 of the Penal Code. Having suicidal thoughts itself is considered a mental illness, hence why medications have been given to the diagnosed patients such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, antianxiety, and especially clozapine which has been approved by the FDA in order to reduce suicidal thoughts in a person. The act of taking one’s life on their own is still an interdiction within the society even though it has happened for many years.

The consequence out of depression is a catalyst to suicide because of different perspectives of others. The reason a person suffers from depression may open their thoughts about suicide when they face extreme hopelessness. This is because a person believes that their loved ones do not have array adequate support and resilience to get them out of their specific illness. This feeling grows intensely that the individual starts to believe that they would be better off without their family and friends. Therefore, it convinces them that there is nothing good in the future. Depression can also distort a person’s way of thinking. It allows the individual to focus on their failures and disappointments. This will exaggerate the negative thoughts of one and feel there is no way out. The person will start to seem increasingly isolated and will be unable to place their wrong ideas of suicide from reality. As a result, these thoughts can make every problem even the small ones seem too much for them to handle. Lastly, the person will face having a beyond passing depressed mood also known as major depression. This illness needs to be treated as it involves a long-lasting sad mood. It involves thoughts about death, low energy, and changes in appetite and sleep. Therefore, suicide is one of the consequences of depression.

Next, suicide is also condemned by many religions because it is considered a sin. From the Buddhism perspective, suicide violates its Buddhism moral precept which is to abstain from taking one’s life. An individual’s past influences their future in this life or the hereafter is also known as karma. The person who commits suicide may be reborn in a sorrowful realm due to negative final thoughts and the past negative deeds of a person will make them live in Samsara which is the cycle of birth and death. Next, according to Islamic understandings, the fate of a person who dies by suicide is equally dreadful. Suicide is forbidden as stated in the Holy Quran Surah 4 Verses 29 and 30, “do not kill or destroy yourself “. Those who have committed suicide will receive eternal punishment in the burning hell and will continue to inflict pain according to the method of suicide.

Moreover, social stigma against suicidal ideation and help-seeking is a significant barrier to prevention. According to Goffman, stigma is defined as being discredited by society and condemned to an undesirable social status. Stigma surrounding mental illnesses and suicidality has been documented as an immediate and profound barrier to help-seeking behavior. Research shows that mental illness stigma reduces a patient’s want for help. Besides that, it internalizes a person’s attitude and beliefs held by the public which includes emotional, cognitive, and behavioral forms. For example, self-stigma is a process by which a person with mental illness internalizes stigmatizing attitudes and beliefs held by the public. People who see themselves as a burden may believe they are to be shunned by others. Stigma is also associated with violations of personal freedom for people trying to access mental health services. Consumers have identified forced therapies or treatment or infantilizing interactions with the staff, dehumanizing procedures at the institution, and the lack of respect for privacy when being interviewed. Cultural beliefs also affect a person’s behavior. Schomerus et al posited a national variation in cultural beliefs about mental illnesses and stigma. Many countries also reported increased yet varied, risks of suicide behaviors among adolescents. Identified stressors include family structures, difficulties acculturating to a host’s country cultural and religious traditions, language barriers, and particularly socioeconomics status which can become potential combinations. Thus, social stigma is the main cause of the barrier in help-seeking.

Furthermore, the issues on bullying that can lead to suicide tend to be overlooked by the authority in order to protect their reputation. Suicide resulting from bullying is a third leading death amongst young people. A study in Britain found that at least half of suicides among young people are related to bullying and 10 to 14-year-old girls may be at higher risk of suicide, according to the study. The statistics reported by ABC News show that nearly 30 percent of students are either bullies or victims of bullying and 160,000 kids stay home from school every day because of fear of getting bullied. Excessive problems by bullying also cause suicides amongst the people. Some schools have more serious problems with bullying and suicide-related to it. It can also be related to the tendency of students who are exposed to suicide thus leading themselves to do it. Kids who are already at risk for suicide due to depression or other mental illnesses are bullied which results in disastrous cases. Nearly one-quarter of tenth graders who are reported being bullied also are reported for attempting suicide in the past 12 months, according to Washington State Healthy Youth Survey, almost half of the 12th graders are reported sad and hopeless every day. Therefore, bullying can be one of the reasons for suicide cases to rise among people.

In addition, signs of cowardice are seen in today’s generation in dealing with suicide compared to the older generation. Low self-esteem is one of the reasons why they think this way because they tend to think all the negative thoughts about themselves due to the things their friends have said. Their friend’s words will always linger in their minds and wonder what they should do to make themselves feel more accepted as their desire to be accepted in society is important. They will constantly wonder why this is happening to them and in conclusion, they tend to opt for an alternative that ends their life so they won’t have to go through all the hurtful and judgemental opinions that degrade them. This will take a huge toll on them as the affected individual will tend to compare themselves to other people and will always have the thought that they are not good enough. They will compare themselves through people on social media or in real life as well. By doing this, really affects their self-esteem and will cause it to deteriorate further. Nevertheless, it is not necessary to defend the argument that there may be a ‘right to die by appealing or utilitarian logic. In articulating what he calls a bioethics ‘family-centered approach, philosopher John Hardwig (1996, 1997) argued that sometimes the burdens a person places on others, particularly family members or loved ones are large enough to have a duty to die to relieve them of these burdens by continuing to live. Therefore, Hardwig’s argument seems to turn not to the overall cost-benefit balance resulting from a person living or dying, but to the fairness of the burdens a person imposes on others by continuing to live. Another sign of cowardice is that they run from their fears, this is due to the fact that they do not get enough moral support from their parents. For example, when they are upset or have something on their mind which is bothering them and would like to open up to their parents, their parents might come up with excuses saying that they are busy or some might just choose not to listen as they think that their child is just trying to seek for attention. Not only that but some television programs condone suicide, they often portray suicide as the main idea of the show, and some teens may misinterpret the idea and think that they are encouraging them to take up their lives. Another reason is that the individual might have done something wrong in their past and they are guilty of it, it may or may not have been an accident but no matter what they will surely feel guilty as it will take a huge toll on them and they will constantly blame themselves for letting something like that happen. They might have also committed a sin that they are not proud of and would have to live with the guilt forever and sometimes they think the only way to accept that guilt is by ending their own life as well.

In addition to suicide being a subject of taboo, this generation overlooks the betrayal of parents towards their child hence risking the rate of suicide. The approach to the issue of the permissibility of suicide does not ask whether others may interfere with suicidal behavior, but whether we have a right of freedom to suicide, whether suicide infringes any moral duties on others. Those who argue that suicide can breach our duties to others generally argue that suicide can either harm particular others like family and friends or damage society as a whole. There is no question that a family member or loved one’s suicide causes a variety of negative economic and psychological effects. In addition to the usual sadness, a vast set of emotions is faced by suicide ‘survivors”. Suicide also leads to rage, loneliness, and awareness of vulnerability in those left behind. Indeed, the sense that suicide is an essentially selfish act dominates many popular perceptions of suicide (Fedden 1938, 209). Parents often shun their children out and neglect them as they assume that their child is facing no insecurities whatsoever.` The lack of awareness that parents give to their children about suicide is devastating. Parents do not seem to take an initiative to warn their children that suicide is never the answer.

Therefore, suicide can be described as a denial of the distinctive ‘role responsibilities’ which relate to partners, relatives, caregivers, and loved ones, this does not endorse a complete prohibition of suicide, as some suicides will not leave victims, and the nature of those harms is likely to vary so that the deeper the relationship, the more damaging the suicide will be and the more likely it will be morally wrong. At most, the argument that suicide is a harm to family and to loved ones establishes that it is sometimes wrong (Cholbi 2011, 62–64).

In conclusion, as suggested by the above discussion, suicide has been and continues to be a rich area of theoretical study. The culture still overlooks suicide somewhat. This is somewhat unfortunate as today’s suicide remains a taboo subject. Suicide is not only worthy of theoretical study on its own but it is a source of insight for various philosophical subdisciplines such as moral psychology, ethical theory, social and political philosophy, the metaphysics of personhood, and action theory. Suicide is also a field in which theoretical concerns overlap with scientific research interests. The collective efforts of philosophers and others continue to illuminate one of the most enigmatic of human behaviors.

The elderly population is especially vulnerable to depression because of numerous factors linked to the aging process, including loss of independence and freedom as well as a decrease in memory, speed, health, and skin elasticity. In fact, one of the most imperative factors is the fact that at some time in his or her life, an older person will most likely end up losing his or her spouse, leaving him or her spousally bereaved (Cleiren, 2019). Spousal bereavement is a very devastating and life-altering event that becomes more likely or evident with advancing age. According to Hawton and Harris (2008), widowhood affects a great number of elderly men and women around the world, annually. As a result of this latter, a great report of complaints associated with symptoms of depression, including poor sleep, suicidal ideation, despair, and the like are likely observed or evidenced in the spousally bereaved elderly population (Hawton & Harris, 2008). This paper is going to focus on the high rate of persistent depression experienced by older adults over the age of 65 due to trauma from the loss of a spouse.

Losing a spouse can be both frightening as older widows/widowers must try to adjust and adapt to their new life’s condition of being old and single. The loss of a loved one usually compels people to experience an immediate period of acute and chronic grief that involves intrusive thoughts, intense emotional distress, and withdrawal from daily functioning activities (Cleiren, 2019). Furthermore, Monk, Pfoff, and Zarotney (2013) state that while about only 80% of elderly widows/widowers have been fully diagnosed with depression in the United States of America, only 20% are properly receiving treatment because health care providers assume that it has to do with a normal consequence of medical illnesses, medication side effects, lack of healthcare insurance, or other problems faced by them. Unfortunately, this misunderstanding represents one of several causative factors contributing to underdiagnosing depression in older bereaved widows/widowers during bereavement (Cleiren, 2019). Moreover, Cleiren (2019) states that older bereaved widowers/widows over the age of 65 are predominantly more vulnerable to depression during bereavement than those under the age of 65 (Monk, Pfoff, & Zarotney, 2013). Therefore, not only a proper assessment of depression is critically warranted during a suspicion of subclinical depression in older adults, but also a correct diagnosis is highly beneficial during bereavement as elderly widows/widowers with depression usually respond well to treatment.

Depression in older adults should not be considered lightly by anyone, bereaved or not. Hawton and Harriss (2008) postulate that depression, the most prevalent mental health issue in the middle stage of old adults, is characterized by feelings of frustration, sadness, hopelessness, guilt, changes in eating and sleeping habits, lack of concentration and motivation, loss of energy and interest in usual activities, social isolation, and suicidal ideation. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA] (2013), about 92% of middle to late-old-adults experience a depressive episode during adolescence, while 86% to 90% experience chronic depression lasting from a few days or months to years due to the traumatic loss of a spouse. SAMHSA (2013) has also reported that both elderly males and females (those assigned either male or female at birth) have demonstrated similar rates of depression during the bereavement period, globally. Thus, depression in older adults during the bereavement period is also a global mental health issue that should also be immediately addressed.

While factors such as being single, females, and lacking social connectedness increase the likelihood of depression in older bereaved spouses, gender represents a significant factor in the heightened rate of depression in older bereaved spouses, worldwide. According to Conejero (2018), older windows are more prone to experience depression during bereavement. In fact, Conejero, (2018) states that 70-85% of older widowers, over the age of 65, have somehow experienced chronic depression (or attempted to commit suicide) ten times more often than older widows during the bereavement period. Consequently, this former continuously constitutes the demographic group with the highest depression rate worldwide when mourning, especially in most countries reporting suicide statistics to the World Health Organization, including European Union countries, Canada, the U.S., and several Asian countries (SAMHSA, 2013). In addition, elderly white men are predominantly at a higher risk of experiencing depression after the loss of their respective spouses (Conejero, 2018). In fact, suicide rates in older Caucasian widowers aging from 80 to 90 are more than twice that of the general population during the bereavement period (SAMHSA, 2013). Despite the high prevalence of mental health-related issues evidenced in the elderly population during bereavement, depression is commonly overlooked due to old age, medication, and physical illness.

Consequently, if left untreated, depression can seriously reduce the quality of life for older bereaved spouses. According to Abuse (2013), while medical illnesses, as well as certain medications or combinations of medications, may increase the risk of depression in older adults over the age of 65, bereavement worsens the condition further. In fact, Fassberg et al. (2016) postulate that about 7 million older bereaved spouses daily display either suicidal ideation or have attempted to commit suicide while grieving. Furthermore, Abuse (2013) states that the onset of depression, during the mourning period, may either delay recovery from or deteriorate the course of any physical illness already suffered by elderly bereaved spouses. Henceforth, applying an effective intervention with elderly bereaved spouses over 65 who are experiencing depression during bereavement will likely help to reduce its symptoms, increasing the likelihood of their longevity during and after bereavement.

PsychInfo database through the USC library was the search engine this writer used to obtain information related to her topic areas. This writer also utilized google scholar to double-check for search accuracy. She also selected peer-reviewed journals and articles on the google scholar search engine. When searching, the terms or combinations used by this writer included most effective intervention, reduction of depression symptoms, and in bereaved elderly widows/widowers over 65. Unfortunately, the first results mainly displayed literature with dozen hits involving subjective studies such as quasi-experimental and qualitative designs with no randomization. Moreover, the articles used were found on the bottom of the search pyramid, which was not therapeutically viable.

So, this writer had to narrow the search term down to fewer words such as the most effective treatment to reduce depression symptoms, in older bereaved spouses over 65, during the bereavement period. This latter was done in order to ensure the correct results came up for the specific problem, population, and treatment. The terms searched and the criteria used were highly specific and strictly limited to the topic of interest. The evidence hierarchy highly accentuated that systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, and meta-analyses were all found near the top of the pyramid, indicating the strength of the new research’s sources. These types of literature were preferred in preparation for this brief because they were accessible to reveal materials essential to the chosen topic areas. Moreover, their data findings and results were written in a clear language for all readers to comprehend. About half a dozen reviewed articles thoroughly discussed the topic of interest via Google Scholar and PsychInfo database through the USC library. As several options were given to refine search criteria and deselecting irrelevant materials, the second search results came up with other literature displaying different applications of methodology as one was quantitative with no random control and the other one was systematic. The results also displayed literature reviews involving CBT and Strength-Base approaches as having been the most effective interventions that could reduce depression symptoms in older bereaved spouses over 65 who are experiencing depression during the bereavement period. These papers were published in journals including Clinical Psychology Review and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Cognitive-behavioral therapy, the most commonly used treatment for anxiety and depression, is defined as a psycho-social intervention that primarily focuses on improving clients’ mental health, mood, and behavioral regulation (Monk, Pfoff, and Zarotney, 2013).

In the past, talk about healthy, we just know some physical problems that can be seen or identified and we do not know about the psychological matters which can affect a lot of our life. Recently, with the vigorous development of science, scientists research many diseases in human minds especially depression which is common now in society with young people. There are many reasons why depression appears and why the majority of the youth suffer from this emotional illness. In this essay, I will discuss the cause and effect of this matter on the life of young adults.

First of all, the reason for this issues why many young people feel so depressed that from life’s problems. Depression is the type of emotion that makes people tired, hardly focus on something, or feel alone. A majority of human from the youth go to the therapist when these feel strange with their mind but somebody just thinks it is normal. Obviously, this illness can begin from many causes that come from genetic factors, biological factors like chemical imbalances. However the common for this reason that the large percentage make up by the youth is pressure these suffer from it in a long time. According to psychologists, someone underwent unhappy events when they were young like violent family, child abuse, sexual harassment which can lead them to depression. Also, pressure from modern life can make them more depressed, the burden of living expenses, school marks, workload. Moreover, changing the living environment like work or school can hardly get on well with news friends or colleagues which make fell alone can lead to psychological illness.

It is an emotional illness so most of the patients need to go to a therapist before the illness is more serve. The sign of each person is different, no one has signs like the other. Because depression makes feel bored and tired which lead to anorexia, stay away from family members and friends that can increase the risk of physical health problems and self–harming because of disappointment about yourselves. Depression is regarded as Death Eater because it makes patients have suicidal thoughts and behaviors if the disease is too serious. The human mind of patience is psychological instability so that their behavior is always anxiety, panic disorder, a social phobia that can break some interpersonal relationships. The capacity of work and study is suddenly falling down, affecting a lot about their daily life.

In conclusion, this issue can be regarded as a social issue because of its consequences. With the burden of living in modern society, the human does not concentrate about emotional healthy after we work so hard that we need to release the stress and do more outdoor activities. If having some signs of this illness, should we need to go to a therapist to have the best treatment? Health plays an essential part of our life, do not just some reason forgive our health especially with young adults.

Mental illness has always been somewhat taboo in society today. I believe now is the time to shed some more light on the subject to raise awareness. Studies have shown, “Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the U.S” (“Depression” 1). Out of all the mental illnesses, depression stands high above the rest with outrageous rates. To put this into perspective, depression stands as 99% of all mental illnesses (“Facts about Depression” 1). Depression has been rearing its ugly head in society for years without getting enough recognition. “In 2012, an estimated 16 million adults aged 18 or older in the U.S. had at least one major depressive episode in the past year”. The numbers are stacked against us, so it’s valuable to have an understanding of an illness that is so prevalent, and also the options for the treatment of depression. It is estimated that 6.9 percent of the population of America has experienced a depressive state this year alone (Kauffman 1). While many believe that depression is just a period where you stew in sadness and debilitating grief, it is seldom understood that there are opportunities to relieve the pain through therapy. There are a vast number of unique forms of therapy for depression, but two that have really shone through are therapeutic riding and equine-facilitated psychotherapy.

While depression is so common amongst the nation, it is a somewhat tricky diagnosis. Getting fired or dumped can feel like depression, and a loss is devastating. Everyone has felt sadness and grief throughout their lives as humans and the severity of emotions is individualized. Being sad is not depression. So what is extreme sadness? It is fairly subjective. To put some constraints on what can be considered depression it is required that the symptoms extend for periods of two weeks or more to be classified as depression. Mourning periods often last longer than two weeks but don’t indicate depression because the sadness doesn’t correspond with the self-loathing that depression usually brings (“What Is Depression?” 2). The line between emotion and dysfunction is drawn when it starts to interfere with everyday function.

Major depressive disorder is defined in Oxford’s dictionary as “a mental disorder characterized by a persistently depressed mood and long-term loss of pleasure or interest in life, often with other symptoms such as disturbed sleep, feelings of guilt or inadequacy, and suicidal thoughts” (“Major Depressive Disorder” 1). Depression can show a variety of different symptoms. Not all the symptoms will be expressed in every case. The most staple symptoms are: feelings of constant sadness, some described feeling “empty” or hopeless, feeling guilt or worthlessness, and showing less interest in life or lack of energy and more fatigue. Once again these symptoms must be active for at least two weeks. More examples of symptoms that depression may express include difficulty sleeping or oversleeping, trouble concentrating or remembering, and weight changes (“Depression”1). Difficulty concentrating or remembering is often found in those with depression (“What Is Depression?” 1). The most dangerous and harmful effect of depression, some experience thoughts of death or suicide (“Depression”1). It’s understandably difficult to make sense of what it really means to be depressed, the symptoms coincide with the painful realities of life, except they are actually much more intense. A quote from someone with diagnosed depression gives some insight into what it feels like, “People think depression is sadness, people think depression is crying, people think depression is dressing in black, but people are wrong. Depression is the constant feeling of being numb, being numb to emotions, you wake up in the morning just to go to bed again” (Amatenstein 1). The depressive state is said to feel like darkness constantly and is beyond sadness. It is described as having feelings deep down behind a throbbing wall of numbness. It’s important to understand the severity of the condition.

There are many different possible causes of depression that range from environmental and biological factors. A family history of depression will greatly increase the chances of being depressed. Specific medical conditions can also impact the likelihood of becoming depressed. Thyroid conditions as well as any chronic illnesses or sleep deprivation can be causes of depressive symptoms. A traumatic event is also a common factor for those who have been diagnosed with depression. Substance abuse is a huge factor for depression, “Nearly 30% of people with substance abuse problems also have major or clinical depression” (Bhandari 2). The causes of depression are difficult to pinpoint exactly because according to Harvard research it stems from a chemical imbalance in the brain but because the brain is so complex and involves millions of different chemical reactions that impact mood and emotion that can show similar symptoms (Harvard Health Publishing 1).

Depression comes with a plethora of dysfunctions that impair everyday life. Major Depressive Disorder’s primary dysfunctions are in the cognitive category. “Cognitive dysfunction refers to deficits in attention, verbal and nonverbal learning, short-term and working memory, visual and auditory processing, problem-solving, processing speed, and motor functioning” (Lam et al 1). There were several other differences in neuro-activity between a depressed brain and a healthy functioning brain. Motivation, fatigue, insomnia, and mood disturbances are more frequently recorded in depressed brains.

There are also dysfunctions involved in psychosocial health. “Psychosocial functioning reflects a person’s ability to perform the activities of daily living and to engage in relationships with other people in ways that are gratifying to him and others, and that meets the demands of the community in which the individual lives” (Mittal et al 1). Those with depression have shown issues with reading facial emotions and interpret them incorrectly. “Research has identified that social cognition may be impaired in individuals with depression” (Knight et al 1). “Psychosocial functioning reflects a person’s ability to perform the activities of daily living and to engage in relationships with other people in ways that are gratifying to him and others, and that meets the demands of the community in which the individual lives” (Mittal et al 1).

Because depression has such a high rate of occurrence and entails many dysfunctions that inhibit the person’s ability to operate, depression has had a very negative effect on the working class. Three more ways that cognitive dysfunction can interfere with work performance include interpersonal relationships, productivity, as well as safety. Interpersonal relationships in the workplace can suffer from the depression symptoms of social withdrawal, the appearance of irritation, and negativity (Mittal et al 1). Depression dysfunctions can be dastardly to careers as they often decrease productivity, and decrease attendance at the workplace. Lastly, psychosocial dysfunction can even pose a safety risk due to the greater risk of injury found in people with diagnosed depression (Lam et al 1).

Depression can appear to be crippling but there are many forms of treatment out there that can help the participants. Two such possible forms of treatment are Therapeutic riding and Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy.

Horses are extremely healing animals and carry many therapeutic traits. The rhythmic and repetitive movement promotes neuroplasticity and cognitive functioning.

“Horses promote asking for and accepting help” which is essential for relationships of those with depression (“My Site” 1). “ Even the ancient Greeks noticed how both unstable and “typical” people seemed calmer and happier when interacting with a horse” (Disabled World 1).

Therapeutic riding as PATH describes it, is “an equine-assisted activity for the purpose of contributing positively to the cognitive, physical, emotional and social well-being of individuals with special needs” (Smith 1). The empty and persistent emotions that those with depression battle consistently can have some relief with the help of horses. Therapeutic riding has been used for many different cases to promote growth and acceptance for riders who need it. There are people all over the world who have reaped the benefits of therapeutic riding.

Therapeutic riding is a great way for people with depression to get out of the house and socially interact with others going through the same things in an inclusive and exciting activity. Depression often causes people to stay in the house and they often gain weight due to lack of exercise and therapeutic riding is an excellent source of building muscles and increasing flexibility. Horses are prey and herd animals that evolved to have a strong emotional sense and are able to feed off the other horses. If one horse is scared it does not take long before the others will pick up on it (“The Therapeutic Value of Horses” 1). Horses are able to do this similar to people and can pick up on their emotions so it requires the riders to become very emotionally sensitive and work through the difficult memory to successfully work with horses. Depression is a very emotional disability and a horse’s ability to mirror what others feel makes them excellent partners for those with depression and is helpful for working through the feelings of guilt and burdens of sadness they struggle with. Therapeutic riding can also benefit the cognitive functioning of people who have depression, the natural movement of the horse is great for stimulating new neural pathways. “ Therapeutic riding offers a motivational opportunity to improve concentration, attention span, memory, communication, decision making, problem-solving, sequencing, patience, judgment and insight development” (“The Benefits of Therapeutic Riding” 1). Therapeutic riding also incorporates teaching skills and learning about the animal which can give a sense of accomplishment as well as hone a new ability. This is especially valuable for depression cases because they often struggle with self-worth and learning a new skill can give some more confidence. Depression can also impact the level of interest people have in their life and therapeutic riding can serve as a new and exciting activity that may encourage a greater appreciation for life itself.

I admit that there may be some dysfunctions involved with people with depression. For example, if they are suicidal or having suicidal thoughts that is a contraindication for therapeutic riding. People with depression also may be more prone to injury and maybe severely careless to the point of harm to the animal or others and that would be a contraindication as well. But, the benefits of the activity greatly outweigh the possible limitations.

Another variation of equine activities that can prove beneficial is equine-facilitated psychotherapy. “EFP is defined as an interactive process in which a licensed mental health professional working with or as an appropriately credentialed equine professional partners with suitable equine(s) to address psychotherapy goals set forth by the mental health professional and the client”(Smith 1). EFP differs from the other equine-assisted activities because it incorporates the use of a licensed therapist as well as an equine instructor, this is an added bonus to the treatment because the therapist is able to further improve the psychological functioning of the clients while incorporating the horses natural healing ability. Equine-assisted psychotherapy is extremely useful to show improvement in areas of emotional awareness which is very valuable for people who have been diagnosed with depression. Many clients who partake in equine-facilitated psychotherapy have shown positive growth in assertiveness, social skills, as well as confidence (Schimelpfening 1). A study showed that participants with depression in equine-facilitated psychotherapy improved drastically in “ increased confidence, self-esteem, assertiveness, and resourcefulness, They also saw improvements in emotional regulation and self-control and decreases in undesirable behaviors” (Wilson 1 ). Equine facilitated psychotherapy is also a good tool for those coping with trauma, which is commonly associated with depression so getting to the root of the issue will often lead to some relief in the depression (Bhandari 1).

Therapeutic riding and Equine Facilitated psychotherapy are effective options for working with depression. They are able to utilize all the benefits of the horse and use them in treatment to get social interactions as well as gain self-confidence. The activities really motivate the clients to get out of the house and get exercise.

It is often difficult to imagine what a friend, family member, or celebrity made a significant contribution to suicide. There may be no indicators of notice, and you may question what you may have overlooked. Several things also contribute to lead to a suicidal decision. It is often an act that is performed rather than after careful consideration during a whirlwind of strong emotions or life pressures. Although there are several variables that can impact the decision of an individual to commit suicide such as depression and illness, traumatic stress, hopelessness, the belief he or her life is a burden to others and social isolation. Let us all go deeper into why a person has chosen to end his or her own life?

Although a patient’s suicidal choice can be affected by many things, the most important thing is that the person has severe depression. For this reason, depression may lead the people to feel great emotional pain and loss of hope, leaving them unable to see a different way of relieving pain than destroying their own lives. By contrast to anxiety, certain mental illnesses can also play a role by suicide. For example, a person with schizophrenia or other psychosis-producing illness could hear voices commanding her to kill herself. As Schimelpfening stated, “According to the American Association of Suicidology, depression is present in about half of all suicides.” Essentially, fear is concerned due to depression in nearly half of all suicides.

Every survivor who has have trauma, such as childhood sexual abuse, rape, physical abuse, or war trauma, is at an increased risk of suicide, even many years after the trauma. According to Tull stated, “These rates of suicide attempts increased considerably among people who had experienced multiple incidents of sexual (42.9%) or physical assault (73.5%). They also found that a history of sexual molestation, physical abuse as a child, and neglect as a child were associated with high rates of suicide attempts (17.4% to 23.9%).” In other words, Tull believes This has been noted that individuals who have endured physical or sexual abuse in their life are also likely to actually to end their lives. Thus, this is mainly because anxiety is widespread following abuse and among those with trauma, which can lead to suicide, creating feelings of helplessness especially hopelessness.

In addition, if people feel they have lost all hope and are unable to fix it, it can outweigh all of their lives good stuff, make suicide seem like a practical option. Hopelessness has been shown in several studies to lead either in the short term or as a long-lasting component to the decision to commit suicide. Individuals may experience a social or physical struggle and see no circumstance change. As the article Hopelessness stated, “Often hopelessness can have a significant influence on human behavior, as it may reflect an individual’s negative view of the future.” It is simplifying saying that hopelessness can often have a huge impact on human behavior, as it may represent the poor view of the future of an adult. Nonetheless, while it may seem clear to an observer from the outside that things are going to get better, but the people with depression may not be willing to see this because of the blind optimism or frustration which surrounds their illness.

Indeed most people who decide to commit suicide also claim they would be better off without their loved ones or the world in general. The cause of this is because individuals sometimes see themselves as a strain on others or feel worthless because of their immense emotional burden. Of starters, only now do I know how much he must have endured because not only does he give me a ride to the hospital, but he also helps me to pay hospital bills and household duties. Nevertheless, still, other people who decide to commit suicide also claim they would be better off without their loved ones or as a whole because they feel that they are in the way of their life and not bring no fortune to them as an individual.

Mental health problem, as its name implies, is a condition where someone’s emotional and mental wellbeing is affected. Mental health problems and the factors contributing to this problem vary and can affect anyone regardless of age, race, and socioeconomic status. Although the type and degree of severity varies, some of the main types of Mental health problems are depression and anxiety. According to studies of various US organizations,19.1% of U.S. adults experienced mental illness in 2018 (47.6 million people). This represents 1 in 5 adults with developmental, emotional, or behavioral problems (Mental Health by The Numbers). The numbers and statistics show how devastating effects mental health has in the US. Due to various reasons like fear of being discriminated, culture and lack of insurance or health facilities, many patients with mental problems do not seek help for medical intervention. However, it is possible to recover from a mental health problem and live a productive and fulfilling life. Reducing the stigma and increasing awareness can have a long-lasting effect toward reducing mental illnesses and building a better-equipped community.

Types of Depression

There are happy and also difficult moments in Life. We express both happiness and difficult times with distinct reactions. Difficult times are expressed with sadness but most of the time it doesn’t last long. However, when this feeling controls someone for a prolonged time, and interferes with their daily activity, and causes pain in their life then it is depression. In general, all depression disorders might share similar nature with diverse characters. However, based on the causation of the disorder we classify depression into main types below and more:

Major depression

A mental disorder where it interferes with the daily life of someone like the ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and so on. People with Major depression feel depressed throughout the day and every day for at least two weeks, especially in the mornings. This can happen once in a lifetime or in several episodes. Some of the symptoms of this disorder are fatigue, worthlessness, lack of concentration, restlessness, being suicidal, and weight loss. This disorder affects all ages but it is mainly among adults. Some causes of this disorder are abuse, the death of a loved one, divorce, and unemployment.

Persistent depressive disorder (Dysthymia)

A less severe mental disorder than major depression that lasts most of the time two years. This order is mainly known for constant complaints or being hard to cheer for even during the happiest occasions of life. Even if the cause of this disorder is not yet clear to researchers, they lean into chronic illness, genes, medication, and problems in relationships as the main causes. The symptoms are more or less the same as major depression but not as strong and frequent as major depression. This disorder affects mainly adults but can start in childhood.

There are also depressions like Postpartum depressions and Bipolar disorder that develop under unique circumstances. Postpartum depression is a form of major depression associated with women giving birth to a baby. It starts about four weeks after delivery and can be treated with medication and therapy. This disorder is linked with the change in the level of reproductive hormones. These hormones are high during pregnancy and the abrupt drop after giving birth plus the physical and psychological changes might result in Postpartum depression. Symptoms of Postpartum depression include lack of appetite, fatigue, not being able to sleep, mood changes, worthlessness, restlessness, and being suicidal. It is estimated that 10 to 15 percent of women experience postpartum depression after giving birth (National Institute of Mental Health).

Diagnosis of Depression

The diagnosis of depression in various ages vary but it is summarized mainly on two general symptoms that are seen for a period of two weeks. The two symptoms that could help diagnose depression are feelings and physical changes. Out of which, the main symptom in both young and adults is the feeling of sadness. Both groups might express it in different ways but it ties into being worthless or helpless. The physical change symptoms are more related to the changes they exhibit or show in their body like having no appetite or difficulty breathing. The physical change symptoms work well in diagnosing depression among young people but in adults, it is hard to differentiate it from age-related physical changes. It is hard to label someone as depressed based on the above two groups of symptoms as these symptoms might be related to other health problems, substance abuse, or others. The main thing that needs to be put into consideration is doing the symptoms affect the individual from doing their daily life. If so, the individual needs to seek medical attention.

Causes of Depression

Many researchers agree on the complexity of the causes of depression but most agree on two broad causes: biological and psychosocial. Biological causes are the imbalance of some chemicals in the brain like serotonin. Brain chemical imbalance is mainly seen in adults and can cause severe depression by impairing the function of the brain. Psychosocial factors are mainly associated with the loss of a beloved once, business, job, and others.

Treatment of Depression

Nowadays, unlike the old times, there are many depression treatment options available. The treatment options might work individually or in combination with others depending on how severe the depression and type it is. Some of the available treatment options are Psychotherapy, Medications, Brain Stimulation Therapies (BST), and Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). The latter two are not common. In most cases, psychotherapy in combination with medicines is the most effective treatment for depression.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is a general term for treating mental health problems by talking with a psychiatrist, psychologist, or another mental health provider (‘Psychotherapy’ 2016). There are many types of psychotherapy treatments with the main forms of psychotherapy being behavior and cognitive therapy. The core belief in behavior therapy is that all behaviors are learned and these destructive and unneeded behaviors can be changed. The approach of this treatment involves rewarding positive and punishing the negative behaviors. Cognitive therapy focuses on present thinking, behavior, and communication rather than on past experiences and is oriented toward problem-solving (‘Definition of Cognitive therapy’ 2017). It is a therapy that guides depressed individuals with the way they think and act rather than dragged by past experience. Cognitive therapy is action-oriented where it helps depressed individuals teach how to challenge their issues. Cognitive therapy helps patients view themselves as worthy and is more effective with older adults. Both behavior and cognitive therapies are used in treating a variety of mental disorders or illnesses and so far they are the most effective therapy. Psychotherapy might not be effective as standalone but in a combination with medicines.

Medications

Depression medications are called antidepressants and can be used to treat a variety of mental disorders in the combination with Psychotherapy. Finding the right depression medication is so complex. A medication that worked for someone might not work for the other. Depending on the health situation or the severity of the depression, patients might be prescribed different dosages of the same medication. As a result, their recovery rate would be different. Those taking high dosages for a longer period have a higher probability of getting better faster. There are various classes of antidepressants with the common one being Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRI plays with the level of serotonin in our brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that controls our mood. In general, SSRI has mild side effects compared with other classes of antidepressants on the market. There other common antidepressants are Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Most antidepressants medications have side effects like increased suicidal thinking, dizziness, sexual problems, nausea, and fatigue. Due to the effectiveness of the medication, there might be certain food or drinks that need to be avoided during treatment. Antidepressants only work while the patient is taking them. Taking the medication without proper therapy might lead to an increased thought of suicide.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

Complementary and Alternative Medicines are alternative medicines and practices that are not part of the standard in treating mental disorders. Even if they are not as effective as depression therapies and medications, CAM such as diet and regular exercise help patients relieve their stress levels. This treatment along with the other methods works better.

Personal viewpoint and Conclusion:

Many serious illnesses coexist with depression but suicide is the number one cause of death among depressed patients. According to the American Academy of Suicidology, about two-thirds of people who commit suicide are depressed at the time of their death (Matthews 2014). As someone who has lost a close family member who had been depressed for years and took their own life, I always regret not equipping myself with the knowledge to help them. When I see it now, she has been taking all the burden on her own till it was no more to carry. Should she had support from the community who alienated her, she would still be enjoying life with her kids. The most important thing everyone needs to be aware of is mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety can be treated similar to all other illnesses and patients can be back to their routine normal life and be productive. Medication and therapy might be effective in dealing with depression but the community and families of patients need to be sensitized making sure they are compassionated to reduce the stigma experienced by the patients.

Introduction

Health inequalities have been associated with social class for centuries: in 1842, the average lifespan for a ‘gentleman’ was 45 years, whereas for ‘labourers’ it was 16 years (Smith, Carroll, Rankin, & Rowan, 1992). Specifically, people from low socioeconomic status (SES) have higher odds of developing depression and anxiety than middle or high economic status groups. (Lorant et al., 2003). This effect is seen across different definitions of depression and across different measures of SES (Everson, Maty, Lynch, & Kaplan, 2002).

Lorant et al.’s meta-analysis suggests that this relationship is more due to causation than selection; low SES increases the risk of depression, rather than depression leads to decreased social status. For this reason, that is what I shall be focussing on, although the selection mechanism has been studied in its own right. This literature review will focus on depression, although anxiety will also be considered in some cases, as negative emotions tend to cluster together, meaning that anxiety and depression are often experienced simultaneously (Clark & Watson, 1991).

However, no one theory fully explains the phenomenon (Adler et al., 1994).

Stress

Most research into the psychosocial link between social rank and depressive disorders looks at the idea of poverty-related stress being the mediating factor (C. L. Hammen, 2015). People from low SES experience more stress, both acute and chronic. This is compounded by the fact that this population interprets ambiguous events as more stressful, compared to people from a higher status (Chen & Matthews, 2001). The effect of these stressors has been measured in a wide range of studies.

Acute stressors, such as high job demands, being a victim of crime and short-term financial strain, are predictive of a depressive episode, especially in women and the elderly (Glass, Stanislav, & Berkman, 1997). Chronic stressors, such as poor working conditions, financial difficulties and health problems, have a major impact depression in women, both on their own, and in combination with acute stressors. In fact, they amplify the effect of acute stressors when experienced together (C. Hammen, Kim, Eberhard, & Brennan, 2009). Other studies have replicated these findings with groups of both genders. (Ensel & Lin, 1996).

People from low social rank do not experience just chronic or acute stress: they often experience both together, for example the chronic stress of living in a neighbourhood with a high crime rate, and the acute stress of a burglary. Therefore, the findings by Hammen et al. (2009) are critical, as the cumulative effect they revealed explains why the same acute stressor in a person of high SES’s life does not have the same effect.

Although there are many studies on the effects of stress on depression, there are widely varying conclusions, although the majority of studies in the last 15 years point to low SES being a predictor for depression. For example, a meta-analysis of 27 studies, examining stress as a mediating pathway between SES and depression uncovered 9 studies that used stress as an explanatory mechanism, but 5 that had little or no role of stress, and 3 reported no significant relationship. (Matthews et al., 2010). These results may be partly explained by methodological weaknesses. First, the definition of stress is very variable and depends on the individual and their circumstances. Anything can be stressful to someone if they are in a certain situation, so using a questionnaire to look for ‘stressful life events’ will not account for all possible stressors. Secondly, most of these studies used a self-reported diagnosis of depression, which has implications in that people from lower SES have decreased health literacy and are less likely to see a doctor, so this may not be entirely accurate. (CITE)Thirdly, several of the studies only include patients in the sample, which, especially in countries without universal healthcare, mean that the poorest patients are not represented (Holzer, Shea, Swanson, & Leaf, 1986). Finally, the definition of psychiatric disorders, depression in particular, varies widely, especially in older research papers (Lorant et al., 2003).

Physiological mechanisms

Research suggests that there are physiological mechanisms that mediate the relationship between low SES and increased incidence of anxiety and depression. A study of 132 adolescents showed that the epigenetic effect of low SES impacted brain function and behaviour, through the modulation and methylation of gene promotors, particularly the serotonin transporter gene. Methylation of this gene is associated with depression and other stress-related disorders (Swartz, Hariri, & Williamson, 2016). These results have been replicated in other studies. (Cicchetti, Rogosch, & Sturge-Apple, 2007). Furthermore, low SES and the stress that comes with that status, influences neuroplasticity, which in turn affects patterns of emotional expression and emotional regulation, as well as the body’s response to stress. The body has higher baseline glucocorticoid levels and increased allostatic load on areas such as the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, which downregulate the stress response and the amygdala, which is responsible for the emotions. In this way, low SES can be linked to depression and anxiety.

While these studies are valuable in that they illustrate some mechanisms that may be involved in the pathway of disease, they are not pathological mechanisms in their own right, and cannot offer the whole explanation. Swartz et al.’s study on epigenetics barely acknowledges the role of the environment in influencing the expression of the serotonin transporter gene, but this is the interaction that causes the effect between SES and depression that we are looking for. Similarly, elevated baseline glucocorticoid in response to chronic stress is a valuable pathway, but in itself does not cause depression.

Conclusion

It is obvious that the link between these two complex conditions is multifactorial, individual and only partially understood. Although a lot of the research focusses on stress and the way that it manifests itself in the brain, there are many other researched mechanisms as to how low SES leads to depression. Furthermore, both of these conditions, low SES and depression are hard to define and test, meaning that not all research is comparable. However, it is clear that there is a causation mechanism between SES, stress and depression, which has strong implications for future research and public health policy.

In view of the fact, it has been known to cure depression . Music can help people cope and allows people to get in touch with inner emotions, and it gives people happiness. Comment by Darius McKnight:

“I think the music is in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity . It’s something were all touched by no matter what culture were from , everyone loves music” – Billy joel . In reality everywhere we go we hear music. You can be at the store , the mall, even the gym ! Music is honestly everywhere and because of that people can’t help but feel and enjoy it but why does our generation like music so much ? Our brains are special programmed to have an understanding of music. When we reach satisfaction like when we sleep or when we eat or when were simply yawning the brain releases that satisfaction as dopamine. Many events can trigger it but it’s mainly released during happy situations and it stimulates you to seek out for more of that pleasurable feeling. Anything for instance like sex , drugs and music can stimulate dopamine release but what does that mean ? Let’s face it we all have problems and issues and worries. Nothing in life is easy and that’s just the basic reality and once we learn to accept the truth music comes in as our “ dopamine release” and it gives us comfort and allows us to know that everything will always be alright. No matter the culture Whenever we come together for graduation, weddings, funerals for any reason , music is there. Throughout most of human history , music making was as natural as breathing and walking and it’s engraved in us because it’s a form of communication. Many people everyday struggle with speaking and saying what’s on their minds and Because of the era we live in the sense of social media and how it’s another strong fundamental factor in our lives, were on our phones all the time and we forget that there’s a great big real world out there. In spite of that fact that everyone has their own personal preference on what kind of music we listen to, every culture can agree that music is an important part of life with expressing our nature as earthly human beings. When music is appreciated in the sense of how special it can make you feel it makes everything else easier and allows people to unite as one and relate to the multitude who’s different than ourselves .

“Music touches us emotionally, where words alone can’t” – Johnny depp. A case study of 80 patients undergoing urologic surgery under spinal anesthesia found that music can decrease the need for intravenous sedation. Patients that were randomly chosen to listen to music needed less medication for calming than those assigned to listen to white noise or nothing at all. The psychological effects of music can be powerful and wide ranging. Teen suicide is the third leading cause of death in youth 10-24 years of age in the united states which is seemingly tragic. Depression is a mental health disorder characterized by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities causing significant impairment in daily life. Some causes of depression is abuse, conflicts , death or loss or other serious illnesses . Music therapy focuses on bettering well being, social relationship building, self awareness, self expression and personal development and it has been known to cure depression . “We can now be more confident that music therapy in fact improves patients’ symptoms,” said senior study author Christian gold of uni research health in Begen, Norway. A Thamkrabok is a Buddhist temple in Thailand for addiction. Music is an important role at the temple because of its therapeutic powers and how it helps people get rid of those destructive emotions that causes sadness and lowers self worth. Music has a unique power to keep emotional memory and that ties with how it grows with familiarity. Humans have emotions and music can easily trigger emotions but why though ? Why does music make generate that ? Why doesn’t music feel like listening to a long speech ? Music has been relatively selected to sound like an emotionally expressive human which is the explanation on why music gets people in there emotional feelings and how it allows people to understand and acknowledge those human feelings without putting them aside and letting them run everywhere and this naturally explains why people love it so much and how come there are so many different relationship songs and deep raw songs about life and how the world is only for a moment. Others may think music is a waste of time and that it has no real depth and importance but in reality that is not the case. Others may also think putting aside time for your mental health is not important but in factual presence dealing with your mental health is very important. Innes co authored a 2016 study and found music-listening could boost mood and well-being and improve stress-related measures .Her study compared the benefits of music to those of meditation .She found that both practices were linked to amazing improvements in mood and sleep quality. “Both meditation and music listening are potentially powerful tools for improving overall mental health and physical and mental well-being,” Innes says. Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to achieve

individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a professional who has completed an approved music therapy program. Music therapy with severely mentally ill clients is a method that uses musical interaction as a form of communication and expression. The aim of therapy is to help people with a mental disability. Music therapy sessions include the use of active music making, music listening, and discussion. Studies findings show that when engaging in music therapy programs, patients with severe mental illness with difficulties in expression and communication obtained benefits. It is an opportunity which favors the expression itself and improves its general state of mind. The benefits of this group’s musical experience are well established, helping to cooperate and integration among their members, developing their social stability. What is mental health? How come people don’t take out time for their mental health ? Why does mental health need awareness. Mental health is the condition of psychological well-being or an absence of mental illness. Mental health affects how a person behaves, thinks and interacts. In Australia 1 in 5 people will suffer from a mental illness in any given year. Mental health problems can and will affect anyone no matter what age, race or walk of life your presented from . Mental illness is considered a silent killer in today’s modern society. According to human research studies, the average life expectancy of those suffering from a mental illness has proven to be a 10-20 years less than the rest of the world’s population. Mental health issues does take a large toll in the United States and Australia , it is essential that awareness and understandings of mental health increases in society. A significant awareness will have a positive impact on identifying and helping those in need, and breaking down the social stigmas and barriers to support. The little things for example, listening to music can lower blood pressure, induce relaxation, reduce anxiety and even increase your libido. Jackson says that it can also increase the release of the feel-good neurotransmitter dopamine in your brain, which can reduce stress and, as a result, help you feel more relaxed. In Charlotte mecklenburg schools if there was a time set aside in the beginning of the day where students simply go to first block and randomly, positive joyful music plays, there’s a 100 % chance that the students attitudes will change for the greater only because Studies have shown that music can buoy your mood and fend off depression, Which simply eases pain. In conclusion music’s purpose isn’t just for parties or listening to when your free or when your studying. Music is actually a healer in disguise and if there was a list of the positive impact music has on society it would be as huge as the Hudson river. Music is greater than music.

Works Cited

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In a world where there are many struggles and challenges that people experiences, feelings of hopelessness and sadness normally occur but if these feelings occur for a long period of time and affect one’s way of living, it becomes an illness known as depression. We’ve been facing a major trial in our life to make us strong and depend on the decisions we’re making. With that, a lot are suffering from depression where darkness is the only thing you see. It is the lack of expressions a person can do or face.

Depression is a common mental illness that can happen to anyone. In fact, about 1 out of 5 women and 1 out of 10 men might suffer from depression at some point in their lives (MedBroadcast.). As common as it is, a lot of people are still lacking out of knowledge and understanding towards it. A lot of times, people with depression are not taken seriously and get the misconception of it being an ordinary sadness, a sign of laziness, and weakness when it is a serious medical illness that needs attention. In fact, depression is the second greatest disability in the world and a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease (World Health Organization, 2018). In knowing about its symptoms, causes, effects, and treatments one can gain a deeper understanding of it. Depression can affect one’s performance, attitude or behavior, and your physical health.

It might be difficult to recognize a person experiencing depression because unlike any other illness, there are no physical symptoms revealing it or it might also be for the reason that some people are just good at hiding it. Not to worry, because there are several signs to be aware of. Signs like feelings of sadness, guilt, helplessness, worthlessness, and emptiness, losing interest in activities once enjoyed, changes in appetite or weight, having trouble sleeping, difficulty thinking, concentrating, and remembering, having thoughts of suicide (American Psychiatric Association, 2017). Moving on to the factors that contribute to having depression.

There are factors contributing to having depression which include genetics, brain biology and chemistry, and environmental factors. Depression is said to be inherited by a person if it appears in the family background. In fact, scientists believe that about 40 percent of people with depression have been found to have a genetic link and according to research, people who have a first-degree relative like for instance a parent or a sibling that have depression are two to three times greater of a risk of having depression (Legg, 2016). The next factor is brain biology and chemistry, people nowadays accepted the fact that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. These chemical imbalances are found on chemical messengers called neurotransmitters and there are specifically three of them that play a role in mood regulation: serotonin which is responsible for happiness, norepinephrine for stress, and dopamine for pleasure (Schimelpfening,2018). Lastly, depression can be triggered by environmental factors such as a traumatic event like the death of a loved one, social isolation, bullying, relationship conflicts, and other health issues (American Psychiatric Association, 2017). Moving on to the impact of depression on the person experiencing it and the that others affected by it, depression can lead to a variety of sociological, mental, and physical problems that can decrease a person’s ability to function at work and at home.

Depression affects one’s living and for instance, one’s way of socializing. According to most social scientists, socialization plays a big role in our process of learning throughout our life course and it plays a central role in influencing others (The Encyclopedia Britannica, 2018). Socialization is important for a person not just because by nature but it might also be for the reason that people need to socialize to survive and fulfill one’s needs. Depression causes a person to withdraw from socializing and as a result, takes away its advantages. Depression also affects the productivity of a person, especially in schools and workplaces. In fact, Neurocognitive dysfunction is common to people experiencing depression-like having difficulty concentrating, making decisions, and remembering (Sigurdsson, 2018). Depression also affects one’s physical health. In relation, to depression and the dysregulation of the neurotransmitter serotonin and norepinephrine, people with depression are prone to pain especially back pain, having gastrointestinal problems like an upset stomach, diarrhea, and constipation (Schimelpfening, 2018). Depression causes changes in weight and appetite, it can be either malnutrition or obesity and you might also develop insomnia (lack of sleep) or hypersomnia (too much sleep) (PsychGuides,2018). Depression increases the level of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline which weakens the immune system and depression is more prone to Heart diseases and substance abuse (Goldberg, 2018). Lastly, Depression might lead to suicide and about 66 percent of suicides have depression as a factor (PsychGuides,2018).