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Natalie Church
Mr. Jorgensen
English 1010-092
December 4, 2014
Depression
It was really hard to get out of bed in the morning. I just wanted to hide under the covers
and not talk to anyone. I didnt feel much like eating and I lost a lot of weight. Nothing seemed
fun anymore. I was tired all of the time, and I wasnt sleeping well at night. But I knew that I had
to keep going because I have got a family, job and school. I just felt so impossible, like nothing
was going to change or get better. When you have depression you seem to feel like this way.
There are many different opinions about depression and how people use this diagnosis as an
excuse. What people dont seem to know is that it really is a mental disorder according to the
American Disability Act (ADA).
Some think that depression as an excuse, I found this article about a book that A.B
Curtiss wrote. It is worded just perfectly on how people think that depression is a choice. In
our culture, it is taken as an unquestionable fact that depression is a disease, that it is quite
common, and that it is the explanation for everything from lethargy to conditions and actions that
are much more serious. In her thoughtful and at times explosive new book, A.B. Curtiss takes a
look at these assumptions, exploring them from a philosophical, psychological, and often a
deeply personal point of view. She tells us that for many, depression is a choice. Using a
technique the author labels "directed thinking," Curtiss creates a road map for converting the
energy we put into being depressed into a strength that can ultimately lead us out of depression.

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As someone who has suffered from depression herself, and who is also a practicing
psychotherapist, Curtiss is uniquely qualified to pose these questions. For example, she asks
whether, in the name of depression, we excuse ourselves of responsibility in certain areas of our
lives. While acknowledging the seriousness of depression, she asks whether, at times, we falsely
classify what we are feeling as depression, the disease, when in fact we are simply experiencing
the difficulties that are part and parcel of the human condition, part of the process of living.
Curtiss suggests that we are living in a culture that is deeply "psychologized," and that
psychological terms and perspectives have become so imbedded in who we are and how we
categorize people and things that, at times, we may rest on those categories, and therefore give
up the chance to overcome them, on our own.
There are multiple types of depression, first there are people that have major depression
episodes which can last for two weeks or longer. Most people have this when a major life event
has happened, a family member passes, gets a new job, goes to a new school, and multiple other
things. The next type is dysthymic depression this can last six months and is less severe of the
depression types. Persistent depression is the next type of depression. This can last anywhere up
to two years and is also a less severe form of depression. Cyclothymic depression is the next type
is a sub-threshold of bipolar disorder. Then there is psychotic depression which will manifest in
hallucinations. One of the most common types is bipolar. It is more severe than most types of
depression. There are minor types that are a type of depression but nobody really thinks of them
as severe as the major other types that I have listed. Some examples are PMS, which every
woman I think would agree with me it is definitely hard to handle most months. Another type is
post-partum; this will manifest in 10 to 15% of most women that have children (Porter-Hansen
2014).

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Every year 7% of adults have a major depression episode and 70% happen more in
women than men. People like to say that is because women are more willing to go to the doctor
than men are. Depression is a biochemical component that is affected by genetics, environment,
situation and grief. There are many ways to deal with depression and that includes medication,
therapy, exercise, good night sleep, nutrition, communication with family, friends and significant
others (Porter-Hansen 2014)
Depression is a mental illness according to the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).
According to About.com the ADA came into effect on July 26, 1992. This legislation prohibits
private employers, state and local governments, employment agencies and labor unions from
discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities in job application procedures, hiring,
firing, advancement, compensation, job training, and other terms, conditions and privileges of
employment. Most people with depression are qualified under this act. You do need to have
record of this, so this is another reason to go and see a doctor about your depression. If you are
able to meet certain qualifications while on medication and therapy you unfortunately will not be
covered under this act.
According to indirect.gov there is also The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), if your
mental illness has a substantial, adverse and long term effect on your ability to carry out normal
day-to-day activities then you are likely to be covered by the DDA. The Act also covers people
who have had a disability in the past. The Act does not provide a list of impairments that are
covered, but instead considers the effects of impairment on a person. For example, someone with
a mild form of depression with only minor effects may not be covered, while someone with
severe depression with the substantial effects on their daily life is likely to be considered as

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having a disability under the Act. Many people with a mental health condition do not think of
themselves as having a disability but they may have rights supported by the DDA.
There was a case brought to court was about a gentleman that in 2006 had consumed
somewhere between 10-12 drinks at a local bar. On his way home, and for whatever reason, he
decided he had enough of this, drove to a cemetery, took a gun out of his backseat, and called
his sister. When his sister arrived at the cemetery, told her that he didnt want to be here
anymore. She unsuccessfully struggled to get the gun and called police. He drove away and got
stopped by police and was involuntarily committed to a psychiatric inpatient unit. He had
notified his supervisor of the situation and had proper paper work sent by fax to the office. When
he tried to return to work he was told that he was going to be placed on a Leave of Absence to
allow them to review the information and consider his issue. He took his employer to court
because of the way that he was treated for his major depression episode. They later had to pay a
severance pay and had paperwork that he needed to sign (Simon 2010). This is just one example
what people have to deal with when they have a major depression episode or when they are
diagnosed with some type of depression.
Many people with severe depression have a tendency to want to commit suicide. I know
that when I was going through the first part of coming to terms with my depression I wanted to
not be here anymore. My depression had always been there but it was brought out heavily with
my divorce. Depression can be brought out in many different ways and life events that happen to
just about everyone. It got to the point after my divorce that I didnt know if I wanted to, for lack
than a better way to say it, live or not. I have been very fortunate to have a wonderful family that
supports and loves me.

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Many people do see depression as just as an excuse like I said earlier and unfortunately
that has given many people the reason to not seek medical help or even help in their families.
Depression is something that people shouldnt take lightly. There are multiple celebrities and
public figures that deal with depression. Such as with a man that we all knew and loved, Robin
Williams. NBC News reported on his death on August 13, 2014, Reports of his death from
apparent suicide on August 11 at the age of 63 have prompted much speculation about the actors
personality and mental health. Williams had been seeking treatment for severe depression. In
that same article it talks about his interview with Terry Gross in 2006 on the radio show Fresh
Air. Williams explained that he experienced depressive episodes, but said that he had not been
diagnosed with clinical depression or bipolar disorder.
Other illnesses may come on before depression, cause it, or be a consequence of it. But
depression and other illnesses interact differently in different people. In any case, co-occurring
illnesses need to be diagnosed and treated. Anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety
disorder, often accompany depression. I personally have generalized anxiety disorder along with
my depression. Alcohol and other substance abuse or dependence may also co-exist with
depression. Research shows that mood disorders and substance abuse commonly occur together.
People with another medical illness tend to have more severe symptoms of both depression and
the medical illness, more difficulty adapting to their medical condition and not medical costs
than those that dont have a co-existing depression. Treating the depression can also help
improve the outcome of treating the co-occurring illness.
There are many things that you can do to help a family member or friend who suffers of
depression. Some examples are offer emotional support, understanding, patience and

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encouragement. Talk and listen carefully, never dismiss feelings, but point out realities and offer
hope. Never ignore comments about suicide, and report them to your loved ones therapist or
doctor. Invite them out for walks, outings and other activities, and keep on trying to invite them
if they decline but dont push to take on too much too soon. Help them to get to their doctors
appointments and therapy sessions, and with that let them know that when they get treatment
eventually with time the depression feelings will get better and will be able to return to their
normal daily life.
For someone that has depression some ways to help yourself are, dont wait too long to
seek help, set realistic goals, and breaking up the large tasks into smaller ones. Try to be active
and exercise, even it is just to go outside and get some sunlight. I know that I had to definitely
talk myself to even take my dog out to go to the bathroom. She was a major part in me seeking
out help, so I would suggest that a pet helps tremendously because it gives you a sense of
responsibility that you must do on a daily basis. With that you should surround yourself in a
trustworthy family member or friend. Let them be there for you, your feelings and ideas.
Postpone your important decisions, some examples are marriage, divorce, and changing jobs
until you are feeling a bit better. If the decisions need to be made discuss them with someone
that knows you very well and can think objectively. Remember that positive thinking will
replace negative thoughts as your depression responds to the treatment path that you and your
doctor have decided would be best for you and your family, friends and significant other. I also
truly believe that you must continue to educate yourself about the type of depression you have
and also just depression in general. I have found out that by studying and understanding
depression will help you tremendously. When studying the topic of depression I found that it
really is a mental disorder and shouldnt be looked at lightly.