Depression What Symptoms/Signs Must Be Term Paper

Various intervening and overlapping factors are responsible for their susceptibility to depression. As much a stress-related problems can be zeroed in to blame for prevalence of this illness, nurture and nature play a role in a person's coping abilities. Genetics also contribute to the probability of a person to experience major depression. It does not, however, run in the family, but increases the likelihood of a person to experience major depression if one of his family members have this illness.

Why should caution be taken when prescribing anti-depressants in young people?

Caution should be taken when taking anti-depressants, not just in young people, but all those experiencing major depression. It is not just the side effects that must be noted, but also the adverse drug reactions and abuse potential to these medications. All of these drugs alter metabolism of the body in one way or another and cause side effects that include sedation, hypotension, cardiac conduction abnormalities, dyskinesia, headache, constipation, abdominal pain and many others. These side effects can affect the performance of a person taking in medication.That is the reason why precaution must be taken as to what type of medication and what drug group must be prescribed to a patient with major depression.

What statistics of incidence did you find for depression?

In the U.S. alone, there are approximately 18 million suffering from major depression. This is more common in women, but ethnicity, races and economic level are not determinants of major depression. Women are more prone to experience depression because of hormonal changes in their bodies and physical changes. If this condition is prolonged, and occurs more than two weeks, this is the time when one has to think of the possibility of major depression.

References

Long, P. (2005). Major Depressive Disorder American Description. Retrieved April 22, 2007, from Internet Mental Health. Website: http://www.mentalhealth.com/dis1/p21-md01.html

Franklin, D. (2003). Major Depression. Retrieved April 22, 2007, from Psychology Information Online. Website: http://www.psychologyinfo.com/depression/major.htm.....