...Depression, according to Encyclopedia Britannica is a mood or emotion shown by a reduced ability to enjoy life. This paper is an informative writing about depression. Depression is definitely a bad thing, because it is a problem that affects millions of people, it creates a lot of issues, but there are solutions. Depression is a problem that affects millions of people. Depression is odious, and often people affected by it languish for happiness. According to the National Institute of Health, 6.7% of the adult population in the US, or 15 million people have major depressive disorder. Depression is caused by unfavorable life events, negative thoughts about oneself, and low levels of norepinephrine and serotonin. Dysthymia is the presence of...
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...Psychiatric disorders differ from neuropsychological disorders. A psychiatric disorder is a type of psychological function or lack of, relating to common functionality in an individual. A neuropsychological disorder is different yet hard to separate due to defining difficulties leading to unclear differences between the two types of disorders. Researchers show that the main difference between the two disorders begins with the archaic mind-brain. In other words the neuropsychological disorders are thought to be a product of a dysfunctional brain. Psychiatric disorders are those assumed to be products of dysfunctional minds, absent in the brains pathology. In recent studies we have learned these two types of disorders are closely related however, there tends to be some differences between them such as experiential factors. Some common psychiatric disorders are schizophrenia, depression, mania, anxiety disorders, and tourette syndrome. No matter what research shows us as far as relation of two types of disorders, it is important to remember how serious some of them can be. In order to understand some of the disorders one should know about what they do and what happens to the individual who suffers from them including drugs that can help or negative effects of association by certain drugs used in common psychiatric disorders. The term schizophrenia was coined in the early 20th century, meaning- splitting of psychic functions. Schizophrenia is the disease which most commonly...
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...Psychological disorders and diseases PSY 240 November 2, 2014 Psychological disorders and diseases Schizophrenia is a severe brain disorder for which there is no cure; however, it can be managed. Although researchers are not sure what causes schizophrenia, they think a person’s environment coupled with genetics play a significant role in the development of the disease. Other factors may include abnormalities in the neurotransmitters called dopamine, and glutamate. It causes people to think abnormally, and exhibit various combinations of abnormal behavior. (Mayo clinic staff, 2014). According to Mayo clinic staff (2014), symptoms include “hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking and behavior” (Schizophrenia). Some antipsychotic drugs are that are prescribed to treat schizophrenia are; chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, haloperidol (haldol), and perphenazine. Often there are other types of medications that are used in conjunction with the antipsychotic drugs such as antidepressants, and anti-anxiety medications. The medications and dosages are mixed and matched until the right dose and drug start to manage the symptoms based on the individual’s circumstances. Most medications only work when they are taken as prescribed. The problem with schizophrenics they rarely think they are sick, so they either choose not to take the medication as directed, or not at all. This is a problem called anosognosia. ("National Alliance on Mental Illness", 2014). ...
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...Psychiatric Disorders, Diseases, and Drugs Susan Harvey Psy/240 June-8-2014 Autumn Harrell Psychiatric Disorders, Diseases, and Drugs Discuss any associated theories behind the disorders and diseases. * Schizophrenia * Depression * Mania * Anxiety Disorder * Tourette Syndrome The first disorder I am going to discuss is Schizophrenia, this is defined as “the splitting of psychic functions.” There are positive as well as negative symptoms to determining schizophrenia. Some of these symptoms include for the positive, delusions of being controlled, delusions of persecution or delusions of grandeur, hallucinations (voices), inappropriate affect “failure to react with the appropriate emotion to positive of negative events”, incoherent speech or thought, and odd behavior. The negative symptoms are, affective flattering, alogia “reduction or absence of emotional expression” avolition “lack of motivation” anhedonia “inability to experience pleasure.” The recurrence of any two of these symptoms “positive or negative” for one month is sufficient for diagnosis of schizophrenia. (Tamminga & Holcomb, 2005; Walker et al 2004) 1% of the population develops schizophrenia. If a family member has this disorder, then the parents, or siblings have a greater chance (10%) to develop the same disorder (Kendler & Gruenberg, 1984; Rosenthal et al 1980) Dopamine theory of schizophrenia is the theory that schizophrenia is caused by too much dopamine and conversely...
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...Association has a series of trials, tests, and procedures, to ensure these drugs are safe and effective for people with severe depression. Effects of each Type of Antidepressant Drugs Anti-Depression drugs target the amygdala by directly by increasing the activity in the prefrontal cortex, therefore decreasing the reactivity in the amygdala. The amygdala has cortical and subcortical projection to other regions of the brain, such as the hippocampus, which is where we create and maintain memories. With the cortical projections increasing the level of activity for the amygdala, there is a possibility your brain will adapt and sustain a repetitive negative associations when approached with an emotion. Anti-Depression medicines target the amygdala because the amygdala is the integrated center for emotions and an emotional behavior. (DeRubeis, R. J., Siegle, G. J., & Hollon, S. D. 2008). Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors MAOI’s were the first discovered anti-depressant medicine in the 1950’s, and they were originally used to treat symptoms of tuberculosis. Monoamine Oxidase is an enzyme thats primary function is used to break down three neurotransmitters; norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine. These three neurotransmitters are known as the mood enhancers, and by the enzyme inhibiting these neurotransmitters, it prolongs and exerts the mood-enhancer for longer periods of time.(Ciccarelli, S., & White, J. 2013, p. 537-538). MAOI’s are divided...
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...Psychotropic Drugs Aren’t the Answer Johnathan Thomas COM/155 September 18, 2013 JEANNE HUFFMAN Abstract According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 17 million adult Americans suffer from depression during any 1-year period. Depression is a real illness and carries with it a high cost in terms of relationship problems, family suffering and lost work productivity. Yet, depression is a highly treatable illness. There are many types of effective therapy available. Three of the more common methods used in depression treatment include cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and psychodynamic therapy. Often, a blended approach is used. Life style changes can prevent and treat depression with proper exercise, nutrition, sleep, social support and stress reduction. Once depression takes hold there are common measures used to combat it, psychotherapy and medications. Having said that, medications without psychotherapy, is as useless as a screen door on a submarine. Psychotropic Drugs Aren’t the Answer Medications can be harmful. Medication is an important part of the therapy process for some individuals, however, psychotropic medications (like all drugs), do not come without potential risks or side effects. Physical side effects from medication may include, but are not limited to, dizziness, drowsiness, changes in appetite, sleep disturbance, and/or weight gain. Side effects can also be emotional/psychological...
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...ethnicity. While such symptoms and factors of depression can be treated in many different ways, studies have proven that between 60-80% of all cases involving depression can successfully be treated by combining psychotherapy and pharmacological constructs (http://www.healthline.com), the latter which shall be explored in greater detail. History of Medication Although plant extracts such as opium, thorn apple St. Johns wort, Henbane, Indian hemp, deadly nightshade, hypericum oil, alcohol, caffeine, cannabis and other natural remedies have been used for past 3000 years treat depression, it wasn’t until 1957 that the first tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) known as imipramine was discovered by Ronald Kuhn and later in the same year the first Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), iproniazide, was introduced by Loomer, Saunders, and Kline (Fitzpatrick, 2010, p. 3), which initially was used to treat tuberculosis, but discovered that it increased mood and physical...
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...Depression Class Psy/270 Axia College University of Phoenix Introduction Many people in our society suffer with some form of disorder or another from; personality disorders, to psychological disorders, eating disorders, sleeping disorders and even the way one processes thoughts. Mood disorders are amongst one of the highest ranking around. Mood disorders affect almost forty-four million Americans every year, making mood disorders one of the most common health issues in the United States (National Mental Health Information Center, 2006). Depression is a mood disorder characterized by ongoing feelings of sadness and hopelessness. Many people suffer from depression in either mild or severe forms. Bipolar disorder and unipolar depression are two major mood disorders that will be discussed in this paper. Depression plays a key role in both disorders; in this paper we will examine key factors that make the difference between the two. Assignment: Depression Paper Unipolar Depression In our daily day to day lives we experience stress or have experienced a traumatic event at one point or another. Work hassles, traffic jams, family problems, childhood trauma, romantic relationships, terrorist attacks, or the death of a loved one, and the list goes on and on. Theses events take a toll on us causing...
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...include Schizophrenia, Depression and Mania, Anxiety disorder and Tourette syndrome. Schizophrenia is an extremely complex disorder with several different types including; catatonic, paranoid, disorganized, undifferentiated and residual. Schizophrenia is characterized by positive and negative symptoms. The symptoms are considered positive or negative because they are behaviors that are either “bizarre” excesses or lacking in a persons character. (Comer, 2011). Symptoms may include things like hallucinations, delusions, illogical speech or thought, bag hygiene, reduction in emotional expression, reduced speech and no motivation. There are different theories behind the causes of schizophrenia but the main biological theories include brain abnormalities or chemical imbalance with the dopamine neurotransmitter, genetics or even the possibility that exposure to a virus during fetal development is the cause. (Comer, 2011). Antipsychotic drugs are typically used to treat this disorder and can greatly reduce symptoms. There are the conventional antipsychotic and the newer atypical antipsychotic drugs. While each has their ups and down the conventional drugs tend to cause motor disturbances while the atypical neuroleptics can cause weight gain, diabetes and issues with fat regulation. Many people experience depression at one point during their lives. Depression is an affective disorder that can be unipolar or bipolar. When depression is bipolar it has periods of depression...
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...SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER (SAD) Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a mood disorder in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year experience depression related symptoms in the winter months on a recurring yearly cycle. CAUSES OF SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER The specific cause of seasonal affective disorder remains unknown but most research shows that (SAD) is caused by a lack of sunlight which has an effect on the chemical levels in the brain. A few specific factors that may come into play include: * Circadian rhythm. Reduced levels of sunlight in fall and winter may disrupt your body's internal clock, which determines when you should sleep or be awake. This disruption of your circadian rhythm may lead to feelings of depression. * Serotonin levels. A drop in neurotransmitter levels such as serotonin, which affects mood, may play a role in (SAD). Reduced sunlight can cause a drop in serotonin that may trigger depression. * Melatonin levels. The change in seasons can disrupt the balance of the natural hormone melatonin, which plays a role in sleep patterns and mood. * Vitamin D deficiency. Low vitamin D levels in the blood have recently been linked with a higher occurrence of (SAD) along with other depression related disorders. * Gene Mutation. A new study indicates that (SAD) may be linked to a mutation of melanopsin, a pigment gene in the eye. The melanopsin gene encodes a light-sensitive protein that is found in a class of photoreceptors...
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...Psychiatric Disorders, Diseases, and Drugs Many people suffer from some form of a psychiatric disorder, which affects a person’s ability to behave in way that is deemed normal by society. Several mental disorders have extreme effects on the mental health of those who suffer from them. It is estimated that as much of 3.3 percent of the U.S. population is found in a thirty day period to suffer from extreme psychological distress (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). Schizophrenia, depression, mania, anxiety disorder, and Tourette syndrome are the top five psychiatric disorders, and the effects of each on a person’s mental health range from mild to severe. Schizophrenia is a common psychotic disorder; however it is complicated to diagnose because some neurological disorders share the same symptoms (Pinel, J.P.J. 2009. p. 457). The symptoms that are linked to this disorder are delusions, inappropriate affect, hallucinations, incoherent thought, and odd behavior. Diagnosis is made when a person has experienced at least one or more of the indicators in a consistent time frame. People who suffer from this have trouble organizing their thoughts into logical connections (WebMD, 2012). The statistic rate for people who suffers from this disorder is extremely low; and the cause is relatively unknown. The percentage rate for the amount of people at risk is considerably low; on the other hand the probability is higher on the inheritance rate. This disorder is not curable;...
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...Vyvanse: An Investigation of the New Breed of ADHD Treatment By Craig Leopold Psychopharmacology Dr. Zoladz 9 May 2011 On April 23, 2008, Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) received FDA approval for the adult population. The approval of this drug marked a new era in evolution of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder treatments. After decades of criticism on the rampant abuse and alleged overprescribing of amphetamine ADHD medications New River Pharmaceuticals responded by developing lisdexamfetamine, a compound that is inactive until converted to dextroamphetamine by the gastrointestinal tract. This means that Vyvanse is only effective when taken orally, reducing the potential for abuse. Moreover, that Vyvanse lasts much longer than typical amphetamine ADHD medications. One administration of the drug lasts throughout an entire day. Although this drug removes a few issues pertaining to amphetamine treatment of ADHD, there has been questioning as to its efficacy in treating the full range of symptoms caused by ADHD because it is broken down into dextroamphetamine alone instead of a combination of amphetamines such as Adderall. Nevertheless, Vyvanse has been established as efficacious in the treatment of ADHD symptoms. In order investigate this new breed of ADHD treatment more completely one must understand the neurobiology of ADHD, the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of lisdexamfetamine, and what the empirical evidence on Vyvanse suggests. Before...
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...There are many potential causes for depressive, bipolar and substance disorders such as biological, neurotransmitters, genetics, child hood trauma, and even major life events and even hormonal changes. Some of these causes’ people originate from and some develop over time due to their surroundings and or how a person is affected by life itself. Biological causes a change in brain activity causing depression where there is a decrease in the left frontal lobe during depression and a downward movement in activity that stabilizes the mood which again develops depression with the up and down activity in the brain. The release of imbalance neurotransmitters in the brain is linked to a person’s mood. Child hood trauma can cause depression for a long period of time that could lead to many things like substance disorders which develop by the way a person likes the way they feel, maybe feeling relaxed or not even thinking about the problems they have or stress. Substance abuse can also be genetic similar to bipolar. Some small studies have indicated that there is a "substantial genetic contribution" to bipolar disorder risk. People with a blood relative who has bipolar disorder have a higher risk of developing it themselves. Currently, scientists are trying to identify which genes are involved. hormonal imbalances are thought to possibly trigger or cause bipolar disorder. Abuse, mental stress, a "significant loss", or some other traumatic event may contribute towards bipolar disorder risk...
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...Antidepressants Work, so what’s the Problem Kurt Anderson Utah Valley University Course: Online English 2020 Instructor: Robert Crane Abstract Efficacy of antidepressants is under such scrutiny by the general public, because of a few scientists. Antidepressants are the most researched substance worldwide. The long history of research analysis proves the efficacy of antidepressants, but there are those who will falsely interpret clinical trials, or pool together selected studies to justify their claims. Scientists will agree that there are many flaws with antidepressant research, but with ever increasing new ways to re-test old research, the evidence of positive improvements are becoming harder to deny. This report shows that even though scientists are trying to disprove the effectiveness of antidepressants, the evidence of the scientific facts prove that antidepressants work for depression. Table of Contents List of Figures and Tables iv Glossary of Terms v General Information vii Thesis Statement vii Report Audience vii Author’s Purpose vii Argumentative Requirements Fulfillment Statement vii Introduction 1 Americans and Depression 2 Background of Depression and Antidepressants 4 Depression 4 Antidepressants 5 Depression Scale 5 Clinical Trials 6 Claims..................... 6 The Truth ......................................................................................................................................6 Prescribing methods...
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...Psychiatric Diseases, Disorders, and Drugs LaTisha Davis Psych 240 April 15, 2012 Psychiatric Diseases, Disorders, and Drugs Mood disorders are by definition disturbances in mood or prolonged emotional state. Almost anyone can suffer from mood disorders including children. These disorders range from depression, bipolar disorder to mania. In each of the states of the disorder, the person is either in a euphoric state or extremely sad state of mind. Although a person may experience mood changes in their life, and may be happy at times and then sad other time, it become a psychological disorder when the symptoms last longer than a certain amount of time. Depression is the most common mood disorder. With depression comes feelings of overwhelming sadness, lack of interest in activities, and excessive feelings of guilt or worthlessness. People who suffer from depression feel they have failed tremendously in life and therefore find it hard to be sociable, they are always tired, and they never feel comfort or pleasure. They find it hard to concentrate on anything and they lose interest in sex and food as a result. Some of the signs of depression include changes in short-term memory, insomnia, and in extreme cases suicide weighs heavily on their minds. There are two categories for depression; major depressive disorder is the term used to describe intense sadness, depressed mood, and loss of interest in almost everything. Dysthymia is a milder form of depression with the same symptoms...
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