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Kyle Dozier

Professor Dunham

English 1201

27 March 2021

The Research Essay

           Depression is the leading cause of suicide, and suicide is the second leading cause of

death in people aged 14-24 (Ahlulbayt)(The Cloud of Depression). This is a scary statistic to

examine because it is so sad to lose a loved one at a young age. However, there are many ways to

avoid getting into this situation. Depression is treated most effectively through talk therapy,

antidepressants, and a lifestyle change. Participating in these acts will reduce the effects of

depression because they provide an escape. 

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           Depression is a severe mental illness that gives one a constant feeling of sadness and takes

away interest in usual activities (Daskalakis and Zafiris)(“A Clinical Case Study). The earliest

accounts of depression came from Mesopotamia. It was thought to be caused by demonic

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possession. Treatments included beatings, physical restraint, and starvation to drive out the

demons. Over time the view has changed, and clinicians now see depression as a disorder due to

biological, psychological, and social factors. Treatments have become less harsh and are aimed

to help the individual. 

           One of the most effective ways to treat depression is talk therapy (Legg)(Healthline). This

is where a suffering patient discusses all their issues with an experienced therapist. The therapist

will listen and detect patterns that make up the depression. After learning the patient, they will

create strategies to avoid anything that may trigger the depression. However, sometimes it is too

late, and it has already been initiated. In this case, one should use the coping strategies that the

therapist gives them. 

           Some of the coping mechanisms shared by therapists include socializing, exercising,

journaling, and listening to music (HelpGuide). Depression produces many nasty thoughts, and

the goal is to get them out in any way possible. People with depression often feel isolated, but

socializing is a great way to cope with that because it creates a robust support system. Exercising

can be good for anyone, but especially for people with depression. This is an excellent coping

strategy because it gets one’s mind out of their head and focusing on the exercise itself.

Journaling is where one will write down all their thoughts into a journal to clear out their head.

This is good not only because it gets all the frustration out but also lets one track their progress.

As time goes on, one can look back on their recent journal entries and see how far they have

come. Many people enjoy listening to music, and it is a great way to cope with depression.

Making a playlist of many uplifting songs is a good way for one to get out of their head.

            Talk therapy also requires a great deal of intimacy. Typically, people with depression do

not like to share what they experience (Des Moines)(Unity Point Health). It can make them feel
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embarrassed and ashamed of themselves. However, if they choose to engage in talk therapy, they

are putting everything in the hands of a therapist, which can be intimidating. Depression is a

personal topic, and the key to talk therapy can find a connection with the therapist. If one does

not feel comfortable sharing personal information, then talk therapy is not for them. One might

say that talk therapy is a way for someone to criticize one’s lifestyle. However, that is not the

case. Talk therapy is a way for a therapist to listen and guide a patient to deal with depression

and maintain a stable lifestyle. 

           Another form of treatment is medication or antidepressants. This medication can be both

long and short-term (HelpGuide). This form of therapy is targeted to relieve the symptoms of

depression, such as feeling down and heavily exhausted. The medicine will also help one feel

emotionally stable and able to follow everyday daily life. In taking antidepressants, there are

specific side effects that could potentially come with it. Some include nausea, increased appetite,

fatigue, insomnia, and blurred vision (HelpGuide). 

           Antidepressants are successful in treating depression because it aims to change one’s

neurotransmitters. They work to balance out the brain's chemicals that affect one’s mood and

emotions (Fisher, Peter)(Treating depression). Another attribute to medication is better sleep and

increased appetite. People with depression tend to have a rough time creating an eating pattern.

Some areas extreme as an eating disorder, but others cannot find a way to eat right. They are

either constantly eating to avoid their thoughts or not eating because they cannot get an appetite.

Antidepressants help with finding an eating pattern that works for the specific individual. 

           One common misconception is that all antidepressants work the same. There are five

major classes of antidepressants, and all of them have different goals. The five different classes
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of antidepressants are SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, MAOIs, and Atypical Antidepressants

(Schimelpfening, Nancy)(verywellmind).

            Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors are meant to provide the brain with more

serotonin. SSRIs were created and developed during the 1970s. These tend to have fewer side

effects compared to the others, but that is no guarantee that there will be no side effects at all.

While treating depression, some SSRIs can help with other disorders such as anxiety,

compulsive, and eating. 

           Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors are similar the SSRIs, and both inhibit

both norepinephrine and serotonin. This form of medication was created and developed in

December 1993. Some of SNRIs' common side effects include nausea, fatigue, drowsiness,

constipation, and dry mouth. SNRIs can also be used to treat chronic pain. Many doctors have

linked chronic pain with the development of depression. They can also be used to treat anxiety,

post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and nerve pain associated

with fibromyalgia (Schimelpfening, Nancy)(verywellmind). 

           Tricyclic antidepressants are the oldest in the group. They were first being used in the

1950s. They were named after their chemical structure, which is composed of three

interconnected rings of atoms. TCAs' goal is to block the absorption of serotonin and

norepinephrine into nerve cells (Schimelpfening, Nancy)(verywellmind). This is like SSRIs and

SNRIs, but the difference is that TCAs introduce another neurotransmitter known as

acetylcholine. This helps regulate the movement of skeletal muscles. The side effects present in

this type of medication include constipation, dry mouth, blurry vision, drowsiness, dizziness, and

weight gain. In some rare cases, irregular heartbeats, low blood pressure, and seizures can occur.
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Similarly, these antidepressants help treat chronic pain. They can also be used to treat children

with attention deficit hyperactivity.

           Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are another type of antidepressant. They were developed

shortly after TCAs, but still in the 1950s. These inhibit the action of an enzyme called

monoamine oxidase. Its role is to breakdown monoamines. The most common emotion that this

medication is used for is mood regulation. However, this medication is the least used due to

potentially severe reactions with high tyramine foods (Schimelpfening, Nancy)(verywellmind).

There are usually dietary restrictions involved to avoid any increased risks. Some common side

effects of MAOIs include nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, restlessness, and insomnia. Even with

the dangers, MAOIs have been proven helpful in treating agoraphobia, social phobia, bulimia,

post-traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, and bipolar depression. This

option is never the first option as an antidepressant, instead of a backup plan if the others are

unsuccessful.  

           The last class of antidepressants is the Atypical antidepressants. This is the category of

medication that does not fit any of the other classes. These types of medications uniquely affect

serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. The side effects can vary from the kind of drug that is

used. These include dizziness, dry mouth, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, constipation, blurry

vision, weight gain, and sexual dysfunction. 

           There is a lot that goes into choosing the suitable class of antidepressants. The main factor

is tolerability. Starting with a basic SSRI is a common thing among patients. However, one does

not find out their tolerability until they have been on the medication for at least two months

(Ramirez, John)(Treating Depression). Once a patient has been on a particular medication for

long enough, the doctor who prescribed it will examine how well it works. If the drug is working
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well with minimal side effects, the patient will continue with that type of medicine. However, if

the medication is causing all the side effects to be present, then a switch is necessary. 

           Many risks and considerations have to be made before a patient can decide if

antidepressants are the right choice for them (Gotter, Ana)(Healthline). One of the risks with

antidepressants is that they are usually used in combination with other drugs to treat various

conditions. This is risky because the effect could be harmful. Instead of making the symptoms of

depression go away, they could worsen. The accumulation of too much could lead to serotonin

syndrome. It can trigger a cascade of potentially dangerous physical and psychiatric symptoms

(Gotter, Ana)(Healthline). The best way to avoid this is to talk with the doctor about what drugs

are okay to be taken simultaneously. Ultimately, there are more positives than negatives in taking

antidepressants, and they are proven to help with depression.

           Another treatment that could surprise some is a lifestyle change (Gotter, Ana)(Healthline).

Feeling down from time to time is a normal part of life that everyone will experience at one point

or another. However, feeling deep thoughts about the sadness that takes away from everyday

activities is more than temporary sorrow. One of the best ways to overcome depression is to

ensure that a healthy lifestyle is in place. Once a healthy lifestyle is in place, it becomes a lot

easier to cope with the challenges of depression. 

           A very unhealthy lifestyle includes drugs and alcohol. This style of life can take a toll on a

person, and especially someone who experiences depression. Avoiding these can have a

significant impact on how bad one’s depression is. Some people say that these substances can be

a distraction and take away all the depression symptoms. However, once these substances wear

off, the symptoms will likely be even more severe than they previously were. 
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           A healthy style of life includes a good amount of sleep. Sleep is crucial for someone

experiencing depression. A widespread complication of people who suffer from depression is

lack of sleep. Many say that they lay in bed at night while their brain is wide awake, rushing

through thoughts. This is bad because a lack of sleep will make the symptoms of depression

come out even more. The best way to deal with this is to create a sleep schedule. Being

consistent in the amount of sleep that is got each night will remind the brain that it is time to

calm down and get some rest at a particular time. This lifestyle change will improve symptoms

of depression. 

           Another healthy lifestyle to live by is one with a good appetite. One’s overall mood will

be greatly increased with a good appetite. A good starting place is to eliminate all junk food. The

neurotransmitters are the messengers in the brain. Neurotransmitters are made up of amino acids.

The best way to ensure that good thoughts are being sent to the brain is to eat amino-acid-rich

foods (Fisher, Peter)(Treating Depression). This includes dairy products, meat, and fruits and

vegetables. Another type of food that is good for the brain is complex carbohydrates. These can

help stimulate the production of the feel-good neurotransmitter serotonin. Some of these items

include whole grains, legumes, spinach, broccoli, oranges, and pears (Fisher, Peter)(Treating

Depression). 

           Exercise is another aspect of a healthy lifestyle. Exercise increases the body's production

of natural antidepressants (Gotter, Ana)(Healthline). In as little as thirty minutes a day, one’s

body will naturally help them fight off depression. Positive effects from exercise include reduced

stress, improved mood, boosted self-esteem, and increased sleep quality. Exercise can also lead

to a loss in weight. Losing weight increases one’s self-esteem and overall health. A common

misconception to losing weight is not eating. This is not a good idea as it is essential to eat while
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losing weight. Eating right and exercising regularly is an excellent method for losing weight and

not gaining it back. 

           Another health habit of incorporating into one’s lifestyle is good stress management skills.

Stress is always going to be a part of everyone’s lives. The difference will be how it is dealt with.

For someone with depression, stress is easier to come by. It will build upon itself and keep

adding up to be very overwhelming. It is essential for someone with depression to be able to deal

with stress. Some ways to manage stress can be watching a movie, reading a good book,

practicing a hobby, listening to music, and exercising (Smith, Melinda)(Helpguide). Every time

that one feels stressed, they should consider trying one of those options. 

           Having good relationships with others is another way to have a healthy lifestyle. Since

depression is isolating, it is essential to have close friends and loved ones to reach out to. These

people will be able to provide positive support in rough times. The best way to incorporate these

lifestyle changes is to talk with a doctor. They exist to help people, and they will give all the tips

and tricks to living a healthy life.

           There are many common misconceptions about depression. The biggest one is that

everyone experiences depression in the same way (Des Moines)(Unity Point Health). This could

not be any further from the truth. Depression is rarely the same in people. Everyone that suffers

from this disorder experiences severely different symptoms. From quick mood changes to evil

thoughts, depression can come in many different disgusting ways. Another misconception is that

depression is the same as being sad. Sadness is a temporary emotion that usually comes after an

event that did not go the way one planned. However, depression is a disorder that can last for

many years. Feelings of depression are more severe and require professional attention. 
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           The scary truth about depression is, indeed, the statistics behind it. The fact that 6.7% of

adults experience a major depressive episode at least once a year is mind-blowing (Neilyn and

Rasha)(The Cloud of Depression). Another sad state is that suicide is the second leading cause of

death in people aged 14-24. It is essential to understand the most effective ways to treat

depression so that lives can be saved (Ahlulbayt)(“The Cloud of Depression). 

Works Cited

Daskalakis, Anastasios A., and Zafiris J. Daskalakis. “Treating Resistant Depression with 2

Forms of Convulsive Therapy: A Clinical Case Study.” Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience,

vol. 44, no. 2, Mar. 2019, pp. 143–144. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1503/jpn.180141.

Dozier, Tawnya. "Effective Ways to Treat Depression." Personal interview. 10 Mar. 2021.

Fisher, Peter. Treating Depression: MCT, CBT, and Third Wave Therapies. Newark, NJ: John

Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2015. Print.

Fombonne, Eric. "Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Adolescent Depression." Interpersonal

Psychotherapy for Adolescent Depression 1 Nov. 1998. Print.

Gotter, Ana. "How Can I Get Help for Depression." Healthline. 6 Apr. 2020. Web. 4 Mar. 2021.

<https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/help-for-depression>.

How To Get Through Depression or Personal Struggle and Start Healing Right Now. Dir. Mel

Robbins. Perf. Mel Robbins. How To Get Through Depression or Personal Struggle and Start
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Healing Right Now. 14 Oct. 2016. Web. 4 Mar. 2021. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=d2lWv5WC0vs>.

Ramirez, John, and Jane L. Winer. “Counselor Assertiveness and Therapeutic Effectiveness in

Treating Depression.” Personnel & Guidance Journal, vol. 62, no. 3, Nov. 1983, p.

167. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1111/j.2164-4918.1983.tb00177.x.

The Cloud of Depression | Full Documentary. Prod. Ahlulbayt Documentaries. Perf. Rasha and

Neilyn. The Could of Depression. Ahlulbayt, 24 May 2018. Web. 4 Mar. 2021.

Schimelpfening, Nancy. "11 Ways to Treat Depression Without Medication." Verywell Mind. 17

Sept. 2020. Web. 04 Mar. 2021. <https://www.verywellmind.com/beat-depression-without-

prescription-drugs-1065079>.

Smith, Melinda, Jeanne Segal, and Lawrence Robinson. "Depression

Treatment." HelpGuide.org. 1 Sept. 2020. Web. 04 Mar. 2021.

Division, Public Health. Adolescent Mental Health Indicator. Digital image. Oregon Health

Authority. 27 Feb. 2019. Web. 8 Apr. 2021.

<https://katu.com/news/local/gallery/blumenauer-backed-bill-aims-to-fight-increased-

youth-depression-suicide-rate#photo-2>.

 
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