A Discussion On The Illness Of Depression - 942 Words

A Discussion on the Undiscussed Illness of Depression How do you feel when you read the term ‘depression’? Do your feelings differ when you read the term ‘influenza’? Perhaps your answer is yes, but why? Clinical depression is an illness just as the influenza virus is an illness. Clinical depression can be defined as a chemical imbalance in the brain, resulting in a pervasive and persistent low mood. In comparison, the influenza virus, more commonly known as the flu, can be defined as a viral infection of the respiratory passages resulting in coughing, the production of excess mucous, and a sore throat. The location and nature of each illness may differ from one another, but a victim is simply a victim. Thus I question why twenty-first†¦show more content†¦Although depression may not cause a dry cough, runny nose, or a sore throat like the influenza virus, those experiencing clinical depression are no better off. Symptoms such as loss of appetite leading to weight loss or overeating leading to weight g ain, social withdrawal, loss of interest in hobbies and activities of pleasure, as well as persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, worthlessness, guilt, or emptiness correlate with depression. These symptoms of clinical depression often lead to thoughts of death and suicide. For this reason, the fatality rate, compared to that of influenza, is much greater for clinical depression. To different extents, both clinical depression and influenza can make it hard for their victims to face the day. Treating and/or managing the influenza virus is far easier a task than treating and/or managing clinical depression. An enormous collection of research has gone into fighting the influenza virus. This research has resulted in vaccines that can protect one from contracting specific strains of the virus, anti-viral medications to treat specific strains, as well as a wide array of pain killers, decongestants, cough drops and anti-inflammatory’s to ease one’s symptoms. Far less research has been conducted on the topic of clinical depression; thus, less effective treatment is offered. Similar to influenza, a young adult in Canada