Psy 270 Depression Research Paper
Depression Paper
Kenda Pollick
PSY/270
Richard Ferguson
March 9, 2010
Depression Paper Unipolar depression and bipolar disorder are two common mood disorders. The emotions that make these two disorders classify as mood disorders are depression and mania. Depression is a mood that makes a person feel sad and low and makes life seem overwhelming and challenging. Mania, however, is the opposite. Mania is a state of emotion where a person feels an abnormally elevated mood. Both can last for a long amount of time, even after recovery, and damage personal and social functioning. If a person has combined emotions of mania and depression, the person would normally be diagnosed as manic-depressive, or having bipolar …show more content…
Treatments for these disorders differ as well. The causes of bipolar disorder and unipolar depression are somewhat different from each other. Although both bipolar disorder and unipolar depression can be genetic and can be caused by abnormal brain function and structure, bipolar disorder has been linked to childhood trauma, abuse, and low self-esteem. The causes of bipolar disorder are not always. However, unipolar depression has been linked to alcohol and drug abuse. Stressful situations such as the loss of a job, death of a loved one, debt, divorce, illness, and abuse can also cause unipolar depression. Much like the the causes of the of the two disorders the symptoms are also different. Both show emotional symptoms such as anger and irritability and physical symptoms such as sleepiness or fatigue. Unipolar depression symptoms include emotional symptoms such as extreme sadness or anxiety. Motivational symptoms include the lack of drive or initiative for anything in life such as work. Behavioral symptoms include becoming less active, spending more time alone or in bed, moving slower than they normally would, or speaking slower than they normally would. Cognitive symptoms include negative thoughts about themselves such as inferiority, …show more content…
Bipolar disorder is usually treated with mood stabilizers such as Lithium or carbamazepine, anticonvulsant medications such as valproic acid or lamotrigine, or pairing antidepressants with mood stabilizers. However, bipolar disorder can be treated with a combined treatment of mood stabilizers and individual, group, or family therapy. There are many more treatments for unipolar depression. Biological treatments include brain stimulation such as vague nerve stimulation, trans-cranial magnetic stimulation, and deep brain stimulation. This option of treatment is usually the last option because it is used for treatment-resistant depression. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is also used as a treatment for depression although it is considered controversial. This type of treatment can cause dislocated jaws and shoulders and even broken bones. It can also cause short-term and even long-term memory loss. Another biological treatment for unipolar depression is antidepressants. These include mono-amine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, tricyclics, and selective serotonin reputake inhibitors (SSRIs). The different types of antidepressants have different ways of combating the symptoms of depression. Other ways that are used to treat depression are free association therapy; operant conditioning which uses behavioral techniques such as pleasurable activities and rewarding behaviors that are not depressive;
Kenda Pollick
PSY/270
Richard Ferguson
March 9, 2010
Depression Paper Unipolar depression and bipolar disorder are two common mood disorders. The emotions that make these two disorders classify as mood disorders are depression and mania. Depression is a mood that makes a person feel sad and low and makes life seem overwhelming and challenging. Mania, however, is the opposite. Mania is a state of emotion where a person feels an abnormally elevated mood. Both can last for a long amount of time, even after recovery, and damage personal and social functioning. If a person has combined emotions of mania and depression, the person would normally be diagnosed as manic-depressive, or having bipolar …show more content…
Treatments for these disorders differ as well. The causes of bipolar disorder and unipolar depression are somewhat different from each other. Although both bipolar disorder and unipolar depression can be genetic and can be caused by abnormal brain function and structure, bipolar disorder has been linked to childhood trauma, abuse, and low self-esteem. The causes of bipolar disorder are not always. However, unipolar depression has been linked to alcohol and drug abuse. Stressful situations such as the loss of a job, death of a loved one, debt, divorce, illness, and abuse can also cause unipolar depression. Much like the the causes of the of the two disorders the symptoms are also different. Both show emotional symptoms such as anger and irritability and physical symptoms such as sleepiness or fatigue. Unipolar depression symptoms include emotional symptoms such as extreme sadness or anxiety. Motivational symptoms include the lack of drive or initiative for anything in life such as work. Behavioral symptoms include becoming less active, spending more time alone or in bed, moving slower than they normally would, or speaking slower than they normally would. Cognitive symptoms include negative thoughts about themselves such as inferiority, …show more content…
Bipolar disorder is usually treated with mood stabilizers such as Lithium or carbamazepine, anticonvulsant medications such as valproic acid or lamotrigine, or pairing antidepressants with mood stabilizers. However, bipolar disorder can be treated with a combined treatment of mood stabilizers and individual, group, or family therapy. There are many more treatments for unipolar depression. Biological treatments include brain stimulation such as vague nerve stimulation, trans-cranial magnetic stimulation, and deep brain stimulation. This option of treatment is usually the last option because it is used for treatment-resistant depression. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is also used as a treatment for depression although it is considered controversial. This type of treatment can cause dislocated jaws and shoulders and even broken bones. It can also cause short-term and even long-term memory loss. Another biological treatment for unipolar depression is antidepressants. These include mono-amine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, tricyclics, and selective serotonin reputake inhibitors (SSRIs). The different types of antidepressants have different ways of combating the symptoms of depression. Other ways that are used to treat depression are free association therapy; operant conditioning which uses behavioral techniques such as pleasurable activities and rewarding behaviors that are not depressive;