I believe that depression is not clearly understood by our common society. To a majority of us it is generalized as sadness either stemming from failure, loneliness, or an onset of other social factors. At some point in someones life they will face this colloquial definition that we commonly refer to simply as "depression".
I personally feel that one of the main sources for society's inability to define "depression" is because the scientific community fails to deliver a definitive answer to explaining many mental disorders. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is criticized for being too vague and unable to give an accurate assessment of mental defects.
The DMS has created numerous definitions and categories. Perhaps the most popularly contested entry is the definition of dysthymia: a term that has been passed around psychology fields as being nothing more than "garden variety depression." This holds especially true when reading the checklist below:
Honestly who hasn't qualified for any of those six categories at some point in their life. In fact, that awfully sounds like your typical college student who is busting his ass for finals. It's no wonder why the pills begin to pop when the semester comes to a close.
Often times I know whether or not I have depression by post-facto analysis. I feel depressed due to having chronic headaches. I took tylenol, an acetaminophen and feel much better now. Acetaminophens are not conducive to curing depression therefore I was not depressed. I merely suffered from chronic headaches that made me sad.
A major overhaul is needed as much of the public improperly attributes many of their mental factors to depression when in fact the symptoms originate from either biological or entirely separate mental health issues at hand.
Whenever the term "depression" is thrown around during conversation, please be a stickler and address the liberal usage of the term. Many people who see a psychiatrist may use drugs that will not solve their original symptoms. I believe that depression is not an issue of how low you can go for most people. It is merely the result of misconception and improper self-diagnosis. Not the result of chemical imbalances between serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. For some people, writing about "depression" is the panacea necessary to get them out of the slumps. Thanks for reading. Feel free to correct any mistakes I might have made in my original post. It's been awhile since I last took general psychology.
I personally feel that one of the main sources for society's inability to define "depression" is because the scientific community fails to deliver a definitive answer to explaining many mental disorders. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is criticized for being too vague and unable to give an accurate assessment of mental defects.
The DMS has created numerous definitions and categories. Perhaps the most popularly contested entry is the definition of dysthymia: a term that has been passed around psychology fields as being nothing more than "garden variety depression." This holds especially true when reading the checklist below:
DMS Wrote:When depressed, the patient has two or more of:
1. Appetite decreased or increased
2. Sleep decreased or increased (insomnia or hypersomnia)
3. Fatigue or low energy
4. Low self-esteem
5. Decreased concentration or difficulty making decisions
6. Feels hopeless or pessimistic
Honestly who hasn't qualified for any of those six categories at some point in their life. In fact, that awfully sounds like your typical college student who is busting his ass for finals. It's no wonder why the pills begin to pop when the semester comes to a close.
Often times I know whether or not I have depression by post-facto analysis. I feel depressed due to having chronic headaches. I took tylenol, an acetaminophen and feel much better now. Acetaminophens are not conducive to curing depression therefore I was not depressed. I merely suffered from chronic headaches that made me sad.
A major overhaul is needed as much of the public improperly attributes many of their mental factors to depression when in fact the symptoms originate from either biological or entirely separate mental health issues at hand.
Whenever the term "depression" is thrown around during conversation, please be a stickler and address the liberal usage of the term. Many people who see a psychiatrist may use drugs that will not solve their original symptoms. I believe that depression is not an issue of how low you can go for most people. It is merely the result of misconception and improper self-diagnosis. Not the result of chemical imbalances between serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. For some people, writing about "depression" is the panacea necessary to get them out of the slumps. Thanks for reading. Feel free to correct any mistakes I might have made in my original post. It's been awhile since I last took general psychology.