Depression

Depression

Depression
Millions of people suffer from depression and major depressive disorders in this country every year. Nearly 15% of the American adult population are affected by these disorders. Depression not only has serious physical and emotional affects, but there are social affects as well. Depression has a far reaching, sometimes, very negative impact on, not only the person suffering from it, but the people around them as well. Depression changes how a person functions and how they interact with others around them. Depression causes a lack of interest in activities that suffers use to participate in. This causes a withdrawal from friends and family. There’s a reduction in work productivity, which can lead to loss of job. Some sufferers turn to drug and/or alcohol to help them deal with the emotional and social abandon they feel that they are going through. Every single person has the potential to be affected by this illness, at any time during their lives. Depression is not an illness that affects one gender over another, depression affects all ethnic groups, and every social class can be affected by this illness.

Gender
Depression and depressive disorders comes with some major cultural beliefs and biases. These beliefs have persisted throughout history. The biases against depression have made it hard for people to be open about this illness and for them to want to seek treatment, for fear of being judged or criticized. Although it is more common for women to get diagnosed with depression then men, depression is not an illness the is exclusive to just women. The big misconception that depression is a woman’s illness, is due mainly to the fact that men are more prone to self-medicate then women. It has been reported that more than 6 million men suffer from depression in America each year. Women are apt to seek treatment, whereas men will suffer in silence due to pride and preconceived male image. Men see themselves as strong and providers and feel that...

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