RUNNING HEAD: DEPRESSION

Depression
Zoe Stiemann
Grand Valley State University

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Abstract

Depression is a common mental illness in both men and women that affects almost 6.7%
of adults each year. This paper targets to explain statistics, symptoms, diagnostic criteria,
prevalence, and different treatment methods related to depression. Therapeutic recreation can be
a beneficial method of therapy for individuals who suffer from depression as it works to use
leisure interests to bring about positive thoughts and reduce feelings of sadness. Individuals can
also get treatment through medications, electroconvulsive therapy, and forms of psychotherapy.
Depression is a serious mental illness that if overlooked can cause harm to individuals overall
health and wellness.

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Introduction

Depression is a mental illness that can affect both men and women. Depression affects
and impairs individuals overall functioning and can cause serious distress (Young, 2013). There
are several types of depression that individuals can suffer from but the most common type that
causes people to get treatment is major depressive disorder. Individuals who suffer from
depression can get treatments from medication, different therapies, and the use of therapeutic
recreation (TR). Depression is a serious mental illness that without treatment can become
harmful to individuals who suffer overall health and wellbeing (National institute of mental
health: What is depression?, 2014).
Symptoms, Prevalence, and Etiology
Depression can cause feelings of persistent sadness, loss of interest, lack of energy, sleep
disturbances, anxiety, trouble in thinking, changes in appetite, and suicidal thoughts. There is not
one known cause of depression but some contributors that they have found to lead to depression
include imbalance in neurotransmitters and hormones, genetics, pessimistic personality, negative
thoughts about yourself, and traumatic life events (National institute of mental health: What is
depression?, 2014). Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses. Almost 6.7% of
adults experience a major depressive episode each year. Depression is common in everyone but
specific groups have higher risks. People with a physical health problem are at a higher risk to
encounter depression because of overall quality of life (Young, 2013). Young also states that
depression increases in onset in adolescence and peaks from about ages 35 to 44 (2013). The
average age of onset is 32 years old. Women are 70% more likely to experience depression
during their lifetime than men are. Non-Hispanic whites are 40% more likely to experience
depression during their lifetime than non-Hispanic blacks. Approximately 3.3% of individuals

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from age 13-18 have experienced a serious depressive disorder during their life (National
institute of mental health: What is depression?, 2014).
Diagnostic Criteria
In order for an individual to be diagnosed with major depressive disorder they must
experience five of the nine symptoms; depressed mood, significantly reduced level of interest in
activities, considerable weight change, noticeable change in sleep patterns, behavior that is
slowed down or agitated, fatigue and loss of energy, thoughts of worthlessness or guilt, thinking
ability is reduced, and frequent thoughts of death or suicide, for the same two week or more for
most of the day and one of the symptoms experienced must be depressed mood or loss of interest
(All about depression: Diagnostic process, 2014). The symptoms experienced do not indicate a
mixed episode, the symptoms are a cause of difficulty in everyday life activities, and the
symptoms are not due to substance use or normal grief in life and continue for extended periods
of time. An individual with major depressive disorder has also not experienced manic episodes
and their depression is not better explained by another disorder (All about depression: Diagnostic
process, 2014). Major depressive disorder also has a high risk of recurrence and the risk
increases with every episode that is experienced, but the risk for recurrent of the disorder also
decreases as the length of recovery time for the individual increases (All about depression:
Diagnostic process, 2014).
Non-Therapeutic Recreation Treatments
Depression has a number of different methods to use to assist in treatment of the disorder.
Those suffering with depression are able to take antidepressant medications often known as
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and can include medications such as Zoloft,

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Lexapro, Prozac, etc. SSRIs work on the brain chemicals and assist in regulating overall mood
of the patient (National institute of mental health: What is depression?, 2014).
Psychotherapy also known as talk therapy is another form of treatment for people with
depression. Two forms of psychotherapies can be used to help treat depression, cognitivebehavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT). CBT is used to assist people with
depression to reorganize their negative thought patterns into more positive thinking. This
method can help to view their life with a more positive and realistic outlook. CBT can also lead
to recognizing areas that might be causing depression and assist in changing those areas. IPT is
used to help patients understand and manage problems in relationships that can cause depression
or increase their symptoms (National institute of mental health: What is depression?, 2014).
Another form of therapy that can be used is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) also known as
shock therapy and is often used with more severe cases of depression. ECT is done several
times and is usually used along side other antidepressant medications. Individuals undergo
electrical impulses to their brain during ECT to reduce symptoms of depression. Individuals may
experience some minor short-term side effects during ECT but it has been found to provide
benefits and relief for those suffering from depression (National institute of mental health: What
is depression?, 2014).
Therapeutic Recreation as Treatment
The use of therapeutic recreation (TR) for individuals suffering from depression can also
be a form of therapy that provides an immense amount of benefits. TR interventions that can be
used with depression can include but are not limited to games, arts, relaxation, coping, support
groups, music, and exercise (Johnson, 1999). TR is focused on improving functional abilities
and increasing patients overall health and wellbeing through leisure interests. Patients are able

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to have individualized goals created by recreation therapist and with completion of these goals
patients are able to feel a sense of accomplishment and pleasure that can in turn increase their
overall happiness (Johnson, 1999). Exercise alone has been one of many TR interventions to
provide a numerous amount of positive benefits on individuals who suffer from depression.
Exercise releases endorphins that result in a more positive mood. Craft and Perna state that
patients who use exercise as a method of treatment are shown to have both long and short term
results in their recovery (2000). TR interventions are able to reduce depression symptoms
including sadness, anxiety, stress, pessimistic personality, and increase confidence, self-image,
coping strategies, etc. TR can also assist patients in increasing their overall mood as well as
having more self worth and a higher quality of life (Craft & Perna, 2004).
Contraindications
Some contraindications that practitioners should be aware of with the use of
antidepressants for the treatment of depression are the side effects that can occur from the
therapy used or taking the drug that is prescribed. ECT can cause short-term minor side effects
such as some confusion, headaches or dizziness (National institute of mental health: What is
depression?, 2014). SSRIs can cause headaches, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, cardiovascular
effects, as well as nausea and vomiting (Greener, 2014). Greener states that antidepressants can
also take a considerable amount of time before symptoms start to subside, because of this
practitioners should prepare individuals of the overall positive outcomes of the treatment in order
to keep patients motivated (2014). Practitioners should also be aware when using TR and leisure
interests as refusal from patients may occur as well as discouragement and increase of negative
thoughts. For example when using exercise as a form of treatment for individuals with
depression it is important to just suggest exercise as a method and not force the patient as well as

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having the patient start slow and find an enjoyable method of exercising or other form of leisure
that interests the individual patient (Craft & Perna, 2004).
Conclusion
Depression is a serious mental illness that can become harmful to the overall health and
wellbeing of individuals if it is left untreated. Treatment of depression can be given to
individuals through medication, different therapies, as well as the use of therapeutic recreation
(TR). Individuals can suffer from several different types of depression but the most common
form that results in individuals getting treatment is major depressive disorder. (National institute
of mental health: What is depression?, 2014). Depression can cause serious distress and impair
overall functioning of both men and women (Young, 2013).

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References

All about depression: Diagnostic process. (2014). Retrieved from

(http://www.allaboutdepression.com/dia_03.html).
Craft, L. L., & Perna, F. M. (2004). The Benefits of Exercise for the Clinically Depressed.
Primary Care Companion to The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 6(3), 104111.
Greener, M. (2014). Antidepressants: current mechanisms and new hopes. Nurse Prescribing,
12(1), 38-42.
Johnson, C. (1999). Therapeutic recreation treats depression in the elderly. Home health care
services quarterly. (18)2. p.79 - 90.
National institute of mental health: What is depression?. (2014). Retrieved from
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml
Young, N. (2013). Non-pharmacological treatments for patients with depression. Nursing
Standard, 28(7), 43-51.