Depressive Disorder
Depressive disorder is as old as time. Job and King David, two prominent Bible figures, were said to have endured the affliction. It was referred to as melancholia by Hippocrates. Depression has also been alluded to in the arts and literature for centuries past. In the 19th century, depression was perceived as an innate flaw of character. In the early 20th century, Sigmund Freud associated depression to remorse and inner discord. Another author, John Cheever, who also admitted to having suffered depressive disorder, claimed that his affliction was influenced by quarrels and encounters with his parents.
In the 50s and 60s depression was categorized into two types, neurotic and endogenous depression. Neurotic or reactive depression was attributed to triggering factors such as loss of a loved one, loss of job or any major loss. While endogenous depression is considered coming from within the body, maybe of genetic origin or from other sources. In the 70s and 80s the focus on depression changed from its reason or origin to its effect on the distressed person. The arguments on depressive disorder can continue but, there are some points to which experts agree on, and these are:
• A depressive disorder is a set of symptoms that manifests a gloomy and/or ill-tempered mood surpassing ordinary misery or sorrow. The misery of depression is typified by a greater force and longer interval and by more relentless symptoms and functional immobilization than what is normal.
• The symptoms of depressive disorder are distinguished not only by pessimistic thinking, disposition and actions but also by certain changes in bodily functions such as weeping bouts, body pains, weariness or low energy as well as problems in sleeping, eating and weight. These changes are called neurovegetative signs, which means that the changes in the brain’s nervous system is causing physical symptoms resulting in a lower or raised activity level.
• Some people suffering from depressive disorder, particularly manic depression or bipolar depression could have inherited the susceptibility to the condition
• Depressive disorder has become a big public-health problem
• Young persons who suffer depressive disorder is in danger of developing obesity
• A study found out that depressive disorder could cause more problems to people suffering from hypertension, arthritis diabetes and chronic lung cancer and in some cases with coronary artery disease.
