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Alyssa Moreno

ENGL 1302-223

Dr. Sharity Nelson

3 March 2023

Depression in adolescents and adults

Introduction

Depression is one of the most common mental disorders globally in which individuals

suffer from (Klein 96). According to Xavier, “More than 264 million people suffer from this

disease”, and causes difficulty in normal day-to-day activities (Xavier, et al. 385). In most cases,

depression is seen as a weakness; therefore, it ends up being hidden in most people (Addis). This

leads to individuals going untreated. When depression is left untreated and undiagnosed, it can

lead to many dangerous symptoms such as suicidal ideations and unhealthy lifestyle habits (Berk

et al.). Some experts may or may not agree that the cause of depression is caused due to external

environmental factors, and others may argue that it can also be a chemical imbalance in the brain

that decreases one's mood (Berk et al., Dailly et al.). The aim of this essay is to examine how

different experts discuss depression symptoms, causes, and treatments. For the most part, even

though the authors of the sources used in this writing all agree with the types of depression and

how it influences an individual’s lifestyle, especially by having similar data, there were a couple

experts who simply didn’t mention their certain opinion societal influences on depression or the

viable treatments to completely cure depression.

Societal viewpoint

Most scholars agree that societal attitudes can influence depression and the way it

develops in certain individuals. According to Michael E. Addis, the psychological effect of

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depression is almost completely dependent on societal standards in males compared to females

(153). In other words, A man’s mental health has been shown to be “masked” while experiencing

major depression due to a sense of “unmanliness” or societal pressure (Addis, 154-155). Gender

roles in which a man should not show emotion or weakness play a large role in why depression is

often hidden (Addis). Addis presents evidence from his sources such as medical research and

studies that prove that men who suffer from depression often go undiagnosed or without

treatment. On the other hand, Addis also mentions that “women are twice as likely to get

diagnosed with major depression” (Addis, 154). In some cases, low self-esteem can directly

correlate with the etiology of mental disorders such as depression (Orth et al., 455). For the most

part, depression can not only be triggered by low self-esteem but the other way as well (Orth et

al.). Analyzing Orth’s models (fig. 1) on the different situations where low self-esteem and

depression show a correlation proves that low self-esteem can cause depression as well as be a

symptom for depressive patients (457). “The core of personality pathology is dysfunction in the

dimensions of self-functioning (identity, self-esteem, and affect regulation) and function with

others (intimacy and empathy)”, (Clarkin et al. 824).

To compare both Michael E. Addis and Ulrich Orth’s opinions on depression and the

connection between societal pressure, they share similar views in the sense that environmental

factors can cause depression. Depression can affect the mental stability of an individual and can

greatly affect how likely depression can make depressive symptoms worse. Once an individual

develops a negative mentality, it may increase risks for any type of mental disorder (Addis., Orth

et al.).

Treatments
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Several scholars discuss and have differing opinions and evidence to claim which

treatment is best for those suffering from depression. While depression may seem scary and

difficult to conquer, there are many treatment options that allow patients to choose what will fit

them best. According to the research done by Eric Dailly et al., depression has a direct

correlation with a deficiency in dopamine transmission in the brain (Dailly et al. 603). This

means that the brain requires a set amount of dopamine to feel normal; however, when the brain

experiences a lack or deficiency of the hormone dopamine, it can lead to symptoms of depression

such as a “depressed mood, anhedonia, or difficulties concentrating, and abnormalities in

appetite and sleep,” (Xavier et al., 386). The most common method of treatment for depression is

SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) medications, also called antidepressant drugs

(Dailly et al.). It is suggested that adolescents and adults who are diagnosed with mild depression

take CBT (cognitive behavior therapy) and antidepressant drugs to reduce the symptoms

(Thapar, et al. 255). As a result, this will make treatment go smoother and make it less stressful

for the person (Thapar et al.).

Dailly et al. and Thapar, et al. both agree with the use of antidepressants to cure and

lessen depression; however, Dailly did not mention the use of CBT or any type of therapy as a

treatment for the mental disorder due to the fact that the author only focuses on biochemicals in

the brain during depression and medications to help adjust dopamine levels. The focus of Dailly

et al.’s study was to compare drugs with their reaction with depressed individuals. Dailly et al.

seems to prefer the use of antidepressant drugs to treat the dopamine deficiency that causes

depression. Antidepressants (SSRIs) are accepted by both authors because they allow for mood

uplifting and may get rid of any negative (and suicidal) thoughts a person with a depressive

disorder may be feeling.

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Lifestyle

Scholars tend to disagree on if lifestyles prior to being diagnosed with depression can

affect or cause depression, however, Berk, et al. explains that depression is a mental illness that

causes difficulty in doing even the easiest tasks (Berk, et al. 39). Depression is a mental disorder

that may cause a person to end up on a path of unhealthy lifestyle habits. When an individual

experiences depression, they start to feel mood swings which eventually causes them to have a

“poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, [develop] smoking and substance abuse [habits]”, (Berk, et al.

38). Berk et al. conducts this clinical overview to study if lifestyle factors directly contribute to

depression. In the results section, it is confirmed that children experienced certain external

stimuli (Berk et al.). Contradictory to Dailly et al. and Thapar, et al., Berk M. Sarris et al. believe

that SSRIs and CBT play a role in the abuse of substance abuse and the lack of physical activity

(38). A study in North India (rural Haryana, India) was conducted to determine what

biochemicals play a part in depression, data showed that 67% of females were depressed

compared to the 32% of males also diagnosed (Chaudhary et al., 3). It is very easy for

individuals with depressive disorders to pay very little attention to their unhealthy lifestyle habits

(Berk et al.). Studies mentioned by Berk, et al. show that PA (physical activity) can lessen

depressive symptoms greatly than not doing PA (Berk, et al. 39). As a result, the author aims to

identify why bad habits are made and how to fix them by creating lifestyle management plans

(Berk et al.).

Berk et al. as one of the most unique perspectives out of all the other authors by talking

about the lifestyle changes that go on with a person diagnosed with a depressive disorder. Most

experts reveal that medications and therapy will aid in curing depression; however, Berk et al.
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believe that changing habits and helping the person become healthy will greatly lower their

symptoms of depression (and overall risk of suicidal ideation) (Berk et al. 38).

Conclusion

To conclude, scholarship shows that depression can lead to many different symptoms and

the causes of an individual’s depression may not be the same as another person's (Klein).

Depression is a mental disorder that many people around the world suffer from (Klein, 96).

Individuals who suffer from such an illness are “often considered to be a strong risk factor for

suicidal thinking, suicide attempt, and suicide deaths.” (Batterham, et al. 321). Many people fall

prey to depressive symptoms that end up making them feel lost (Berk et al.). Authors such as

Berk, et al. and Ulrich, et al. understand that depression is something that can be difficult to

overcome especially without help or the right treatment; nevertheless, they each have their own

opinions on treatment plans and how depression develops. Depressive lifestyles as mentioned in

“Lifestyle management of unipolar depression”, illustrates that people end up damaging their

bodies with substance abuse and poor lifestyles (Berk, et al.). The overall goal of all these

experts is to relieve the world of suffering from such an illness that injures and takes many

people’s lives to this day.

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Works Cited

Addis, Michael. “Gender and Depression in Men.” Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice,

vol. 15, no. 3, 2008, pp. 153-261. Wiley Online Library, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-

2850.2008.00125.x

Batterham, Philip, et al. “Consistency of trajectories of suicidal ideation and depression

symptoms: Evidence from a randomized controlled trial.” Depression and Anxiety, vol.

36, nol. 4, 2019, pp. 287-383. Wiley Online Library, https://doi.org/10.1002/da.22863

Berk, M, et al. “Lifestyle management of unipolar depression” Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica,

vol. 127, no. 443, 2013, pp. 38-54. Wiley Online Library,

https://doi.org/10.1111/acps.12124

Chaudhary, Vineet, et al. “Gender-specific association of biochemical variables with depression:

a population-based case-control study from North India.” Middle East Current

Psychiatry, vol. 29, no. 21, 2022, pp. 1-7, Springer Open, https://doi.org/10.1186/s43045-

022-00187-z

Clarkin, John, et al. “Complex depression: The treatment of major depression and severe

personality pathology.” Journal of Clinical Psychology, vol. 75, no. 5, 2019, pp. 824-833.

Wiley Online Library, https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22759

Dailly, Eric, et al. “Dopamine, depression and antidepressants.” Fundamental & Clinical

Pharmacology, vol. 18, no. 6, 2004, pp. 601-721. Wiley Online Library,

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1472-8206.2004.00287.x

Klein, Daniel. “Chronic Depression: Diagnosis and Classification.” Current Directions in

Psychological Science, vol. 19, no. 2, 2012, pp. 96-100. JSTOR,

https://www.jstor.org/stable/41038548
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Orth, Ulrich, et al. “Understanding the link between Low Self-Esteem and Depression.” Current

Directions in Psychological Science, vol. 22, no. 6, 2013, pp. 455-460. JSTOR,

https://www.jstor.org/stable/44318705

Thapar, Anita, et al. “Managing and Preventing depression in adolescents” BMJ: British Medical

Journal, vol. 340, no. 7740, 2010, pp. 254-258. JSTOR,

https://www.jstor.org/stable/25673877

Xavier, Janaína, et al. “Interaction between COMT Val158Met polymorphism and childhood

trauma predicts risk for depression in men.” International Journal of Developmental

Neuroscience, vol. 82, no. 5, 2022, pp. 373,462, Wiley Online Library,

https://doi.org/10.1002/jdn.10186