Introduction-Depression

The purpose of my research paper is depression, I chose this topic because it is

something that I have to live with, and it is also a common diagnosis. I hope to answer
the following question, how common is depression among women, and approximately at
what age is it more likely to start? Depression relates to my life because I have a lived
experience and I also think that my mom may have some depression, but she will not get
the help that she needs to get through. I was diagnosed with depression in my early
twenties and have not experienced any kind of symptoms before then.
Depression relates to the human development because if a child hears a lot of
negative things in their life, then they are more likely to develop low self-esteem and also
may then have friends that are not good for them and will talk them into killing someone.
Negative friends may also think that it is okay for someone to commit suicide; in
addition, to killing someone. Sometimes depression can start in the early childhood years
and continue on into the adult years, or it could start in the teenage years and go into the
adult years, or even start in the early or late adulthood years. There could be various
reasons why a person may suffer from depression.
Depression can sometimes be genetic in that a parent or two can have it. If a child
grows up with a parent having depression then while it is no guarantee that they will get
it is an increased risk. More people are being diagnosed with depression, and yet if a
child is the only one in the family has depression, then they will probably feel like the
parent or even the sibling(s) in the family may not fully understand what they are going
through.

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Sometimes, if it is possible then it would be helpful for the child to talk to a
school counselor, or even someone else who will understand them. If a child is going
through a deep emotional problem, then it might be necessary for the child to seek
outside counseling if the school does not provide a school counselor.
Literature Review
According to No One Saw My Pain, Clinical depression impacts people in real
physiological as well as emotional ways. (No One Saw My Pain: Why Teens Kills
Themselves, pg. 5) In order, for a person to have a diagnosis of clinical depression, the
person must have at least five of the following symptoms lasting for at least two weeks.
They are the inability to concentrate, feelings of hopelessness, changes in regular eating
habits, sleep disturbances, loss or lack of energy, behavioral changes, engaging in risktaking behaviors, changes in schoolwork and/or work habits, and even thoughts of
suicide.
Also, if it is a depressed teen then they could turn to their friends or others for
sexual encounters, in order to gain some acceptance and even positive feedback.
Depression alters the individuals only to occur when negative events come to bear on
the vulnerable person. (No One Saw My Pain: Why Teens Kills Themselves, pg.8) It is a
very treatable illness; and , the following problems that result from depression are usually
much harder to alleviate them are: the social, academic, and personal problems.
Those children that have parents whose levels of parenting stress are high, are
then more likely to develop not only emotional; but also, behavioral problems and could
even develop cognitive and social skills more slowly. According to No One Saw My

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Pain: Why Teens Kill Themselves Psychiatric services for children and adolescents are
generally shamefully inadequate and accessible to a disproportionate few. (No One Saw
My Pain: Why Teens Kill Themselves, pg.20)
Adolescent depression is recognized, diagnosed, and treated more frequently
than five years ago. (No One Saw My Pain: Why Teens Kills Themselves, pg.8) Both
children and teenagers that experience depression at a young age, will then become
dependent on others for the affirmation of their very being. They will ask others for their
input to give them positive feelings about themselves, instead of relying on their own
self-worth. They will then become needy adults, and their pathway to help and healing is
then paved with missed cues and frustration. (No One Saw My Pain: Why Teens Kills
Themselves, pg.7)
A suicidal gesture is a deliberate act of self-injury without the intention of dying.
Gestures may include ingesting a nonlethal number of pills, self-injury such as minor
wrist-slashing, or even waving a firearm around in front of friends. Teens who have red
flags in these ways may not want to die; yet, but deaths have been known to occur in
spite of the lack of intention. (No One Saw My Pain: Why Teens Kills Themselves, pg.
7) The suicidal gestures that are being referred to are the real cries for help and the
attention-seeking behaviors.
With suicide attempts they are really failed suicides; because, some people are
fortunate enough to be saved by a family member, friend, or other loved one, either by
hanging themselves, or surviving a gunshot wound, or even being revived from an
overdose of pills. While, the teen may still want to kill themselves and even succeed;

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however, some rescued teens will see their survival as a sign that it had not been their
time to die yet, and therefore will start to truly work on their depression with help.
Some teens that will start to write out a plan of their own suicide or death, may
not either tell anyone what they are doing, or else they may tell a very close friend and
have that friend swear to them that they will not tell anyone what they have planned.
Those people that usually suffer from depression, will see life in almost a total distorted
and even negative viewpoint, because of this their behavior will then become drastically
changed. A teens past history and also the day-to-day life things are being rewritten and
also recast in order that everything is seen in the darkest of terms. About one in ten high
school students can be diagnosed with depression at some time in his or her life. (No
One Saw My Pain: Why Teens Kill Themselves, pg.6)
There are three forms treatment for depression that take place outside of the
hospital they are: crisis intervention, counseling, and medication. Crisis intervention are
specific actions that the adults can take in order to alleviate the immediate conflicts of the
problems that are facing the teenager. There are two types of counseling that may work
best for the child with depression they are: Interpersonal therapy which takes a look at
and develops new ways of interacting with others in order, so that there are fewer
negative consequences. The second one is cognitive behavioral therapy (cbt) which
allows the client to get new verbal and also mental strategies in the self-directing current
and future behaviors.
Emotional development entails advances and maturation in childrens abilities to
understand, express, and manage their emotions in a functional and adaptive manner.

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(Child Regulation of Negative Emotions and Depressive Symptoms, pg. 402) According
to the article, Aspects of Mothers Parenting if a child sees his or her parents as rejecting
them, then they will see the article as being unfriendly, hostile, or dangerous which are
symptoms of more general anxiety. (Aspects of Mothers Parenting, pg. 250) There is a
clear sense that rejection can be associated with an increased conflict in the parent-child
relationship, this could lead to the following a lack of self-competence and self-worth on
the behalf of the child and also therefore the child will have more anxiety.
The negative feelings that can be related to a parents responsibilities that may
limit their ability to control their emotions, when they are trying to interact with their
child(ren) could actually be ineffective parenting strategies and practices. An example of
ineffective parenting strategies is: harsh discipline. The maternal rejection has a
negative impact on childrens psychosocial adjustment, since it is related to both bullying
and victimization behaviors. (The Protective Role of Father Acceptance in the
Relationship Between Maternal Rejection and Bullying, pg. 340) The victims may also
suffer from a large number of psychological difficulties. It has been found specifically,
that the victims will experience a large amount of depression, generalized or social
anxiety, as well as loneliness; despite their gender, age, and type of victimization. It is
also important, to look at the childrens social anxiety; because, there may be some
evidence that the parenting builds (constructs) overprotection, rejection, and also low
warmth these things are associated with the teenagers social anxiety disorders; but, not
the other anxiety disorders.

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One of the factors that can related to or can predict depression in children, is the
family context including how the parents and children relationships and the parents
perceived parenting styles are. Some of the depressive symptoms that may bring about an
increased risk of self-crieicism are: negative cognitive interpretation of self, which in turn
could then be related directly to NNSI. If a parent has a lack of economic resources; such
as, low income then the parents could experience material hardship (this is where they
are not able to purchase the necessities). Also, material hardship could increase the
psychological distress that may be brought about in both depression and anxiety, while
decreasing the quality of interactions among the family members, and could even lead to
parents overwhelming themselves with their coping strategies.
There may be a few parenting styles; such as, criticism or even a lack of warmth
that may also play a role in the anxiety of their children. (Aspects of Mothers Parenting,
pg.251) The parents may need to rely more on their own instincts instead, of badgering
the mental health system for answers that work (No One Saw My Pain: Why Teens Kill
Themselves, pg. 20) The stress of a childs parent will have long-term negative effects
not only on the parents; but also, the children. (Racial and Ethnic Differences in
Parenting Stress, pg. 278)
According to the article, Academic Achievement low academic achievement is a
risk factor for depression. (Academic Achievement, pg. 442) A childs low academic
achievement can be related to their negative perceptions of competence and can lead to
depression. Non-suicidial self-injury refers to the direct and deliberate injury of ones
own body tissue in the absence of suicidal intent. (Relationship Between Parental

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Expressed Emotions, page 491) The number one way that is deadly over substance abuse
and delinquency in depression is suicide. Therefore, it is important to seek immediate
attention for the teens safety whenever a pattern of suicide of detected.
The main crisis that is precipitating a suicide attempt that could look at a
breakdown on three levels are: stress and conflict, coping, and societal response. Due to a
lack of economic resources that are among the minority mothers, this could contribute to
the low levels of social supports that they receive. An example of this would be low
income families who are not homeowners and therefore will move a lot so they will
usually not have any or very little social networks in their neighborhoods.

Methodology
H. Compton Wellness Center-Pacific Clinics, from the days of Monday, February 2,
2015-Saturday, February 14, 2015. The interviews lasted anywhere from a half-hour to an
hour approximately. I also interviewed several people at my home during that time period
as well. All of the people that I interviewed were willing to share about their stories
openly.
I came up with the following questions that I had asked of various people. I had
asked the following questions: how does depression affect you?, What kinds of things do
you do to help you cope with your depression? How long have you had it for and at what
age (approximately), did you first start seeing some of the symptoms?
How well do you communicate with others in a daily conversation? Do you have
anyone else in your family that suffers from depression, and if so what was it like

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growing up in that kind of house? Do you feel that your family members understand you
now having been diagnosed with depression? Have you ever been so depressed that you
thought about killing yourself, or even someone else? Have you ever been so depressed
that you thought about cutting yourself?
How long does your depression usually last for on a typical basis? How often do
you have an episode of depression last for (approximately)?
Results
These are a combination of everyoneones answers to the following questions:
1.) How does depression affect you?
Margie said that she cant solve problems all the time, does not want to do much does not think
well feels down. Shrie said that it cripples her, like she has no life in you, regressing no hope. Roberta
said that it limits the ability to reach her goals, cause fatigue, loneliness, sadness, taken a toll on the
body physically, brings out anxiety more. Keith said that it keeps him in bed for two to three days dont
shower, shave or anything, room gets extremely messy, in extreme cases he becomes suicidal, calls
someone like a friend to be hospitalized for help.
Barbara says that it makes her tired, lose interest in things (crochet), isolate, emotional, increase in
appetite. James says he does not want to get out of bed, does not want to shower, just wants to stay in
bed all day. Smokes more, will cause him to have seizures since he will not want to take his medicine,
eat more. Kristy says that it affects her concentration, desire to do things she enjoys , makes her feel
down, and discouraged. Karen said she has a diagnosis of major depression. It has been ten years since
she was hospitalized for it. About three to five years ago she had a reoccurance of depressive
symptoms in response to some stressors.
She felt hopeless, helpless, and worthless, like before. Also crying a lot and overly sensitive but
this time thanks to recovery she knew what to do. Michael said it makes me feel unloved, unwanted,
like life is not worth the struggle. Finally, Magy said it puts her in a bad mood, makes her sad, and

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affects her self-esteem. It slows her down in her daily functioning and thinking processes, and affects
her concentration.

2.) What kinds of things do you do to help you cope with your depression?
Margie said that she tries to go to the depression group at the center, talk to Barbara her peer, and
also her therapist. Shrie said that she gets coffee and a sandwich, crochet, and calls someone. Roberta
enjoys knitting, spending time with the lord in the morning, started a herb garden, exercising
(stretching in the morning), spending time with boyfriend, spending time at pacific clinics wellness
center seeing doctor and therapist. Keith said that he tries to go outside for some reason every day,
important to make his bed every day, and tries to stay on top of medications too.
Barbara works on anxiety, goes to the wellness center (by attending groups), and sees a therapist.
James will eat less when not depressed, tries to hang out with positive people, smokes less, when not
depressed, seizures are under control when not depressed. Kristy enjoys reading the bible, writing in
journal, coloring, reading books, going to support groups, therapy, doing e-mail, writing letters, and
making all-occasion greeting cards.
Karen enjoys doing the following:: cuddling with her boyfriend, crying on his shoulder, talking to
others who understand depression (people with lived experience), walk/exercise, eat chocolate or
carbs, watch funny videos, talk to psychiatrist to adjust medication, talk to therapist, and doing deep
breathing and mindfulness exercises. Michael said that he enjoys taking his medicines, watching
comedy shows, going to aa meetings, and talking to friends. Finally, Magy said that she enjoys talking
to friends, journaling, praying, listening to music, and reading self-help books.

3.) How long have you had it for and at what age (approximately) did you first start
seeing some symptoms?
Margie said she first started about fifteen years ago, and some of the symptoms were: isolation,
did not want to go to to therapy.
Shrie said when she was a teenager (12 or 13), suicidal, depression, ptsd, and anxiety.
Roberta said when she was forty, anxiety panic, fatigue, confusion, agoraphobia, and fear of sadness.

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Keith said when he was fifteen, staying in bed. Barbara said since about 16 but not officially
diagnosed until two years ago (46 years of age), migraines, depression, may have gone through life
change. James said since he was diagnosed at the age of nine years old, isolation, used to cry a lot, selfinflicted harm, eating more. Kristy said she started seeing symptoms at the age of eleven but was not
diagnosed until her twenties, worthless, not good enough, feeling unloved, thoughts of suicide,
discouragement, lack of interest in things.
Karen said she always had some depression traits like negative thinking, low self worth, etc. When
she was 28 she had her first episode and became suicidal. Michael said he was not sure, he used drugs
and alcohol for many years. Finally, Magy said since childhood before age eight years old. The desire
for death, she was a very sad child felt all alone.

4.) How well do you communicate with others in a daily conversation on a scale of 110 (1-not well, 10- excellent)?
Margie feels like she communicates pretty well so she said about a 7 or 8, probably get to to know
more with friends, greets people at the center. Shrie said about a 9, because she is interested in their
stories, and who they are as a person, is interested in them. Roberta said about a 2, because she has all
thoughts and feelings and emotions to express, but is afraid to. Keith said about an 8, because he has
always been a pretty good communicator.
Barbara feeks kike she is at a 5, not used to bring able to express her thoughts and feelingin,
because she felt like she was n9t good enough, finds it hard to say things. Does not want to hurt
anyone elses feelings.
James said about a 5, because he has trouble talking to people; because, he has touretts.
Kristy said about an 8 or 9, with her therapist because she is easy to talk to. With others, about a 5
or 6, because she is not comfortable with talking to others outside of groups or therapy. Karen said
fairly well, experiencing depression and anxiety has taught her the importance of communicating
to have a voice in her own treatment. However, in the midst of an episode of depression her brain
slows down and she doesnt communicate well. Michael said not well enough when he is

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depressed. Magy said about an 8 or 9, because she enjoys listening to people, and offer her
perceptive point of views with her analytical mind.

5.) Do you have anyone else in your family that suffers from depression, and if so
what was it like growing up in that kind of house?
Margie said one of her cousins suffered from depression, it was not easy because she was
living with her. Shrie said that she thinks she was the only one, because she was the only one that
had the situation she had. Roberta said not diagonasable, dad might have had deep depression
sometimes. It was fearful because she would have to stay away. Keith said grandma (psychotic
episodes), hard listening to her say things that werent necessarily true.
Barbara said that the history is there but it was hidden. James said that there was no one
in his adopted family and they treated him like an outcast and differently. Kristy said that she
didnt think so. Karen said that she was not sure, her mom could be undiagnosed anxiety or ocd.
She does know that for her having a controlling and critical mother who was too anxious to protect
her from bullying from other kids had impacted her own self-talk and self-esteem. Her dad has
probably unresolved grief from losing his mom, and she experienced him as being emotionally
unavailable.
Michael said that he was not sure, because he left home early and his mother died in
1980 from cancer. Magy said that her mother, father, and brother, it was chaotic growing up in that
kind of environment because she could not tell reality versus fantasy because of her mothers
phobias. Her brother was schizophrenic and she did not feel safe.

6.) Do you feel that your family members understand you now having been
diagnosed with depression?
Margie said not really, they think that she is cuckoo-oo. Shrie said that she has no
connection with family anymore, told her sister recently about what she is going through. Roberta
said that her mother as well as her sister do, but others do not; because, she feels judged
sometimes. Keith said grandma not to much but the cousins and other family do though.

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Barbara said no she thinks that she should just be over it. That it is just an attention getter.
As a Christian she should not have depression. James said no, because they think that he is faking
it; because, they do not believe in mental illness, so he is doing it for attention. Kristy said
somewhat but not really because they get along better than they used to (her and her parents).
Karen said no, they have stigmatized and labeled her as defective for as long as she can
remember. They attended educational classes on mental health during family week when she was
hospitalized, but they still even today, express fears around her ability to live independently and
specifically dont want her to have children because of her depression and anxiety diagnosis.
Michael said that he does not have family. And Magy said that her sister attempts to understand
but thinks that she does not understand fully. Sister says things at times without realizing it that
they are hurtful and brings her self-esteem down. Her mom was comforting.

7.) Have you ever been so depressed that you thought about killing yourself, or even
someone else and what was that like?
Margie said that she has not. Shrie said yes, was going to kill herself by tying a rope
around the rafters and hanging it around her neck. Did not have any fear and felt a big relief. Roberta
said no, she has not felt that way. Keith said no not at all. Barbara said no she has not. James said yes,
it felt like all you could think about was dying, and it was the only way to relieve his depression. Kristy
said no she has not. Karen said yes, she has thought about driving her car off the road. Michael said
yes, he wanted to shoot himself. Magy said yes, thought about killing herself on an ongoing basis in
the back of her mind. One time she had a vision of stabbing her mother which was a very frightening
experience.

8.) Have you ever been so depressed that you thought about cutting yourself or
hurting yourself in some way and what was that like?
Margie said no she has not. Shrie said no she has not. Roberta said when she was
pregnant and far from family and felt like her husband did not understand so she took a half bottle
of sleeping pills. Very sad because she did not feel that there is no one to talk to. Keith said said

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either with pills (several bottles) or else get run over by a car with his wheelchair. So hopeless that
he wanted to wanted to end it all.
Barbara said yes, it was scary she wanted to do it with pills. Just wanted the pain to end,
took a lot of pain medication till she passed out, it left her raw. James said yes, it was the worst
feeling ever attempted it a few times he had mixed a bottle of aspirin with half a bottle of alcohol.
Kristy said yes, with keys a few years ago she felt angry but did not know how to deal with in a
healthy way.
Karen said yes she thought about overdosing on her klonopin, it scared her that she was
having these thoughts and that the thought of doing herself in was so attractive to her at the time
because of the pain she was in. Michael said never about cutting just shooting. Magy said not
cutting herself but considering pills, guns, knife, jumping off cliff with her car. It was a
frightening, sad, and despairing experience.

9.) How long does your depression usually last for on a typical basis?
Margie said a

week and she gets moodswings. Shrie said sometimes three to five

days. Roberta said it usually lasts about two weeks. Keith said about two to three days about every
two to three months. Barbara said that she has been depression free for about six months. James
said about two weeks to a month. Kristy said that it depends on the situation. Karen said that her
most recent episode lasted for a few months. She has had dips into mild-moderate depression
feelings for a week. Michael said about four to five months Magy said the depression is ongoing
almost all the time. Cyclical type of depression like a roller coaster, usually am depressed with
small bouts of positive periods.

10.)How often do you have an episode of depression last for (approximately)?

Margie said about every other week, tries to do something about it though. Shrie said
pretty frequently about every two weeks. Roberta said it usually happens about every two months.
Keith said about four times a year. Barbara said usually lasts for two or three days at most because
works hards not to let it last that long. James said about every other month. Kristy said about a
week or two to a month. Karen said its been a while since she has had an episode of depression.

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So she doesnt know. Michael said every year. Magy said it goes for months at a time, there have been
times that it has lasted for years even.

11.)Do you have anyone that you feel really understands what you are going through
who does not have depression?
Margie said she does not think so. Shrie said yes, she has a friend and boyfriend (passed
away), they told her that I know you have gone through a lot and that I understand the way you feel.
Roberta said no one really understands completely not really. Keith said the best people are the ones
that have a lived experience. Barbara said no, because most people are going through it in some way or
another. May not tell them that they are depressed. James said no, because the only people that do not
have depression is his family.
Kristy said no, because feels like someone has to really experience depression in order to
know what the person is going through. Karen said no, I dont think you can truly understand
depression unless you have experienced it. Doesnt mean that people without depression cant be
supportive, but that is different from understanding. Michael said no, well his doctor maybe. Finally,
Magy said not fully about her depression but the closest person would be her therapist, and her sister
plays an important role in communicating about her depression.

Discussion
I feel that my results and literature review are similar but yet yet diffirent at the
same time though. The reason why I feel this way is because everyone or at least most
people have said that do not have anyone that they can talk to that understands them
who does not have depression. Most people believe that unless you have a lived
experience then you cannot understand how the other person truly feels. Although,
one person has said that it does not mean that someone without depression cannot be
supportative. It just means that they may have a harder time understanding what you

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are going through and why you do the things that you do. About four people had said
that had tried to kill themselves or someone else with a gun; whereas, seven people
had admitted to wanting hurt themselves by cutting or taking pills or some other
form. It was interesting to see how depression affects everyone differently in the
results section for example: with Keith it will affect his hygiene for 2-3 days and then
will have to have friends take him to the hospital in extreme cases for help.
Another example, is when Margie said that she cant solve problems all the time,
does not want to do much, does not think well, and feels down. (Interview Margie)