Depression is a term that has multiple meanings. In an economic context, it can mean a continued, long-term decline in economic activity in one or several economies. Depression can also mean a landform that is depressed or sunken below the adjacent area. This definition is for geology and can be used to describe sinkholes. However, the focus of the meaning of the term depression will be examined through the psychological perspective. As defined in psychology, depression is a mood disorder causing an ongoing feeling of loss of interest and sadness. Depression can affect how one feels emotionally and physically, often requiring long-term treatment. This report aims to understand the word depression, its roots, and why it is being used today to categorize a mood disorder.The word depression has been used for quite some time. When examined as a noun, is was first seen in the late 14th century from Old French and used as an astronomy term. It can also be directly derived from Latin in the form of depressionem. In the 1650's, the literal meaning of depression was 'dejection, depression of spirits' (Kipfer, 2008). By 1826, it was used to descrie reduced or lowered economic activity. It was around 1920 or 1934 that depression took on the meaning of melancholy, sadness, and began to be associated with a mood disorder (The Online Etymology Dictionary, 2017).
Regardless of its varied uses and changing meanings, depression has existed as how it is known now, for many years with philosophers describing depression as 'melancholia'. 'Melancholia' appeared as early as ancient Mesopotamia with written record detailing mental illnesses and its possible links to demonic possession. "This might refer to melancholia, a depression induced by a dominance of black-bile (mela/chole), at times manifested in an. .. a similar strategy of rationalization, though it largely appeals to Mesopotamian medical concepts, instead of Greek medicine" (Laes, 2017, p. 445). Although depression has most likely existed since humans could feel and socially interact, the earliest written records refer to such activity as 'demonic'.
Depression has been seen even in modern times as 'demonic'. Books like 25 Truths About Demons and Spiritual Warfare: Uncover the Hidden Effects of Demonic Influence by...
Depression, Diabetes and Obesity This is a case study on a 58-year-old male, Mr. H.Y. who worked at a supermarket and is now retired. He has a supportive wife who works full time and children who are all independent .He has a history of smoking, but quit 10 years ago and drinks alcohol twice a week. He is obese and a known case of diabetes for one year. He has gained
So, although the reverse of these characteristic is not indicative of depression, their expression within the context of grief suggests the lack of clinical depression. With the fundamentals of depression outlined, it is reasonable to wonder why such symptoms and behaviors manifest themselves in certain people and why they do not in others. Many different researchers coming from many different scientific backgrounds -- from psychology to biochemistry -- have investigated
Depression can be considered the "common cold" of psychological disorders. This expression describes its pervasiveness, but definitely not its seriousness. Depression is considered a mood disorder, which is a psychological disorder, characterized by emotional extremes. Studies have shown that depression is the number one reason people seek mental health services. Depression is often a response to past and current loss. It is a sort of psychic hibernation: it slows people
Depression Theories Various Theories on Depression, and Respective Treatments Depression is a complex mood disorder that is characterized by various emotions, including sadness, self-blame, absence of pleasure and an overall sense of worthlessness, and by physical responses relating to sleep, appetite and motor symptoms. According to statistics, one in four adults will suffer from a depressive episode at some point in life. With a quarter of the population affected by depression, it
Depression is an often-devastating symptom and illness in people. It affects millions of people worldwide and can last anywhere from week to months to years. People often have issues with depression and seek treatment. When they do, they do not adhere to treatment protocols and may regress back into depressive episodes. There are also situations and history that may attribute to the feelings of depression such family history, tragic events,
Depression in the Lifespan Depression is a multifaceted and complex phenomenon affecting multiple age cohorts. It is therefore important to understand what differential age-related risk factors account for the manifestation of depressive symptoms, whether precipitating factors are genetic or environmental, also how specific treatment interventions might change depending on age-related needs or age-appropriate interventions. A developmental approach to depression can provide some insight into how clinicians can improve treatment interventions and
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