The Reason Why Depression Should Be Taken Seriously

Informative Speech Topic: The reason why depression should be taken seriously Specific Purpose: To inform the audience on the dangers of depression; how it affects your physical and psychological wellbeing. INTRODUCTION Feeling tired all the time? Losing interest in things you once loved before? easily agitated, unable focus at school or work? Well, I’m here to inform you that you are not alone. According to The National Alliance on mental health (NAMI), the nation’s largest mental health organization, more than 19 million adults across the united states, suffer from depression. Thesis: Today, I will be speaking to you about depression in the United States of America. I will talk about the background, the causes of this disease, the symptoms, long term effects and finally, the treatment and preventative measures to take. 1. WHAT IS DEPRESSION? A. Depression is defined by Encylopaedia Britannica, as a severe mood disorder, characterized by feelings of low self-worth and guilt with a decreased ability to enjoy life. Depression can range from mild to severe. Chronic depression is long lasting depression, often accompanied by anxiety and restlessness. It takes a significant toll on a person’s ability to enjoy things, their work and health and the way they interact with the people around them. B. According to www. www.nimh.nih.gov/., depression has been shown to have higher rates in women than men. Among the 19 million American adults affected, 8.7% are females and 5.3% are males. Depressive illness often interferes with normal functions of everyday life, as well as, causing physical pain for those who suffer from depression. Serious depression can destroy family’s lives as well as the person affected. A lot of people, who are depressed, do not seek help or treatment. 2. WHAT CAUSES DEPRESSION? There are a variety of causes depression. Below are causes, as listed on https://www.mentalhealth.gov/ i. It can be caused inherited through genetics. vii. Climate change ii. It can be caused by unfavorable life events. iii. Environmental factors, such as (life at home or moving to a new city). iv. Biochemical factors (such as neurotransmitters in the brain). v. Extreme constant stress (causes changes in the brain) vi. Childbirth (Postpartum depression) 3. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS? Depression is more than just the normal, temporary felling of sadness and hopelessness. The feelings can last weeks, months or even years. They cause a collapse in your everyday life. According to https://www.nami.org, the symptoms of depression include: i. Not enjoying the daily activities in your life. ix. Suicidal thoughts ii. Problems concentrating. x. fatigue iii. Poor memory. xi. Slow thoughts or speech iv. Having trouble making decisions. v. Changes in eating habits. vi. Weight gain or weight loss. vii. Difficulty completing tasks viii. Changes in eating habits or appetite loss 4. LONG TERMS EFFECTS ON PHYSICAL AND PHYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING According to National Depression Screening Day, only 35.3% of those suffering from depression, request help from mental health professionals. If left untreated, depression can lead to several serious illnesses, heart disease, etc. It also impacts your everyday life can lead to suicide or even death. i. According to www.mhanational.org, depression causes the physical and chemical changes in the brain. The affects the regular functioning of the brain. It causes a ii. disrupt in neurotransmitters (nerve cells) that carry information. that controls our mood, appetite and motivation. It affects how you think, feel and relate to others. iii. Causes rise in cortisol level. Cortisol is responsible for your fight/flight hormone iv. “adrenaline”. This will leave you constantly anxious/ worried. Weakness the immune system, leaving your body susceptible to even basic v. illnesses, like the common cold. Shortens life expectancy vi. vii. Affects chromosomes (which makes DNA viii. Can cause hypertension, coronary heart disease, heart failure, blood clot, etc. ix. It can lead to Bipolar disorder, or other serious mental disorders. x. Can cause a decline in friendships and romantic relationships. Depressed people are often distant, or unable to form or maintain their relationships. 5. TREATMENT/PREVENTATIVE MEASURES A. Depression is usually treated with antidepressants, which according to https://healthcare.utah.edu, has a 50-60 % success rate, psychotherapy, counseling, ECT (Electroconvulsive shock therapy) , which has a 70-90 % success rate. People with depression can be treated as outpatients or in some cases a person must be hospitalized. B. According to www.health.org.com, here are some ways to prevent you from becoming depressed. i. Try to be with other people. ii. Participate in activities that may make you feel better. iii. Mild exercise or yoga. iv. Going to a movie, a ballgame, or participating in religious, social, or other activities that may help. v. Most importantly let your family and friends help. 6. CONCLUSION Depression is a serious and life-threatening illness. It takes a toll on one’s quality of life, if left untreated. It is very important that you seek help immediately, if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. “Today, I have informed you about depression. I covered the definition, the causes of the disease, the symptoms, long term effects and finally, the treatment and prevention of depression.