A HIDDEN LIFE

A Cause Essay presented to Margaret Williams North Island College

English 115 CRS3

By Andrea McEachren 7018051 1 November 2004

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A Hidden Life For years while I was growing up I knew there was something different about my mother. It wasnt until I was twenty that I finally understood that difference. It was the fall of my twentieth year. I had just gotten married and was suffering from chronic respiratory infections. Within a few months I could barely function, unable to get out of bed, crying all the time, and withdrawing from all those who loved me. It was at that time that I was diagnosed with one of the most common mental illnesses ...depression. That was ten years ago and although I still suffer from depression I have managed, with medication and therapy, to lead a normal life. Mental illnesses, especially depression can have many causes; genetics, gender, and physical conditions can all play a role. A major contributing factor to an individuals chance of suffering from depression is genetic predisposition. Scientists have discovered that genetics can account for 40 to 70 percent of the risk for developing major depression (Dwek 23). In 2003 a study showed that genes play an important role (Bjerklie 73) in depression. It is well known that we inherit our genes from our parents who in turn inherited their genes from their parents. So it should come as no surprise that genetics play a role in depression just as it does in eye colour, hair colour or height. Therefore an individual with a family history of depression is more likely to suffer from the disease then an individual who has no family history of depression. An individual who has a close family member such as a parent, grandparent or sibling who suffers from depression can be up to three times more likely to suffer from depression themselves (Price). Although genetics play

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a role in depression the fact that there is a family history does not guarantee that an individual will suffer from depression. Another factor in the development of depression is gender. It is almost double the rate for men (Scott 62) that a woman will suffer from depression during her lifetime. Statistics have shown that 12 percentage of women (Lovett 26) and 6.6 percentage of men (Lovett 26) are affected by depression during their lives. There is a common thought among society that women are more likely to suffer from depression because they are the more emotional sex. Women also tend to take on more responsibility in and out of the home and this contributes to a womans stress level and subsequently their susceptibility to depression. Another thought is that women are more likely to seek treatment for depression then men are, therefore the statistics could be dramatically skewed. Hormonal levels, such as estrogen can also be a factor in women having a higher risk of suffering from depression. Studies have shown that a declining level of estrogen may be associated (Lovett 26) with a higher risk of developing depression. A chronic or long-term illness can also increase an individuals risk of suffering from depression. Even chronic headaches or migraines can be a factor in developing depression. Studies have shown that about 40 percent of patients with chronic headaches also reported depression (Smith 20). Many illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, hepatitis, lupus and arthritis can contribute to an individuals feelings of over whelming sadness and desolation which characterize depression. It has been shown that high levels of homocysteine (Blumberg 18) a chemical by-product linked to heart disease can also increase an individuals chance of suffering from depression.

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Although chronic illness is a factor many individuals who suffer from depression because of an illness are not diagnosed as the symptoms of depression are masked by the illness. Depression caused by chronic illness often aggravates the illness. This is especially true when the illness causes pain, fatigue, or disrupts their social life. Depression and physical pain often go hand in hand (Painful 20) so researchers believe that both need to be treated. Depression can intensify the feeling of pain from the illness and can cause fatigue that can worsen the loss of energy associated with chronic illness. Genetics, gender and illness are just three of the factors that can trigger the onset of depression. It is estimated that 18.8 million (Gorrell 15) American adults will suffer from one form or another of depression during their lives. Depression is also referred to as a mood disorder; primary forms are major depression and dysthymia, a chronic and usually milder depression. Other important forms of depression are premenstrual dysphoric disorder and seasonal affective disorder. Only 18 percent (Elley 16) of people who suffer from depression are diagnosed or receive treatment. Depression has been around for centuries, and affected millions of people yet it is still viewed as a weakness. It is because of this stigma that a majority of people with depression are not diagnosed or receive treatment for their illness.

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Works Cited Blumberg, Deborah. Another Link Between Heart and Mind. Psychology Today 37.5 (Sept/Oct. 2004) : 18 Bjerklie, David. Depression: The Blues Gene. Time 162.4 (28 July 2003) : 73 Dwek, Laurie Budgar. Dual Theories Of Depression. Psychology Today 35.4 (July/Aug. 2002) : 23 Elley, Nida. Got Help? Psychology Today 34.5 (Sept/Oct. 2001) : 16 Lovett, Richard A. Menopause: Four Links To Depression, Libido And Memory Loss. Psychology Today 36.2 (Mar/Apr. 2003) : 26 Gorrell, Carin. Screening for Symptoms. Psychology Today 34.5 (Sept/Oct. 2001) : 15 Painful Truth. Time 163.6 (9 Feb. 2004) : 80 Price, Prentiss Ph.D. Genetic Causes of Depression. All About Depression. 9 Sept. 2004. International Society for Mental Health Online. 27 Oct. 2004 < http://www.allaboutdepression.com/cau_03.html> Scott, Sarah. Biology and mental health. Macleans 111.2 (12 Jan. 1998) : 62-63 Smith, Susan A. Double Trouble. Psychology Today 37.4 (Aug. 2004) : 20