The Causes Of Depression Psychology Essay

The Causes Of Depression Psychology Essay The emotion of sadness is normal in response to everyday stressful or upsetting events like losing a loved one or running into financial difficulty. These feelings are usually only temporarily and should resolve once the grieving period is over or once the disturbing event has been resolved. When the feeling of sadness remains for longer than is reasonable or it starts to interfere with an individuals daily activities or personal relationships it may signal the onset of depression. The causes of depression Modern day imaging technologies like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) have demonstrated significant differences in the anatomy of depressions patients brains compared to those of people who do not suffer from depression. The specific parts of the brain displaying these abnormalities include the mood, higher thought, sleep, appetite and behavioural centres in the brain. Unfortunately these imaging modalities do not give information on the cause of these abnormalities. One of the challenges with diagnosing and treating depression effectively is that it is caused by a combination of factors instead of just one easily identifiable factor. It has long been accepted that depression is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental and psychological factors. The one common factor is that it is always linked to the brain. The genetic factor is proven by the fact that depression tends to run in families and if an individual has a close relative who suffers from depression it naturally increases that individuals risk of also developing depression. Certain genes are being studied by scientists as it is suspected that these genes combined with other factors can increase a persons risk of developing depression. Genes are suspected to be responsible for the regulation of neurotransmitters and if scientists can identify these genes they can accurately predict which patients will respond to specific anti-depressant drugs and which wont. It is however possible for people with no family history to also develop depression. The biological aspect of depression is very closely related to the genetic one, since an individuals genes will influence the biological working of his or her body. Scientists believe that depression may also be caused by an imbalance in the important neurotransmitters of the brain. This theory is difficult to prove but the effective use of serotonin re-uptake inhibitors in some patients support this theory. The important neurotransmitters that play a part in the onset and development of depression are serotonin, acetylcholine, catecholamine and corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF). Scientists believe it is as a result of the hormonal changes women are exposed to during their monthly cycle that may also influence the neurotransmitters in the brain. One example is of a recent study which exposed the link between serotonin and oestrogen. As the oestrogen levels drop after ovulation the serotonin levels in a womans brain also drops causing her to feel anxious or depressed. In the same way the rapid hormonal changes after giving birth is believed to be one of the mayor factors leading to postpartum depression. Unfortunately menopausal women are not spared as they too are exposed to changing hormonal patterns during this stage of their lives. Environmental factors that may trigger depression include the loss of a loved one, divorce, losing a job or failing at an important task. Short term sadness is a normal response to these triggers and should not be confused with depression that is a more severe, debilitating mental illness. People differ in how they deal with everyday troubles and this can be traced back to the psychological make-up of each individual. When faced with a stressful situation people can revert to coping mechanisms, some of which they may have learned from childhood. Where one individual may rely on alcohol to ease their psychological pain another may rely on comfort eating or cigarettes. Unfortunately these coping mechanisms can either trigger the onset of depression or worsen already existing depression. Alcohol and drug abuse are often seen in men, more than in women, but both these coping mechanisms can cause and worsen depression. Another example is an individual who suffers from insomnia, also a psychological response, which can lead to depression. Some psychological disorders like anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, social phobia and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) can co-exist with depression. It is also possible for depression to develop as a result of these disorders. Diseases like cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and Parkinsons disease can cause depression. The depression symptoms can be worsened by the presence of the disease and the disease symptoms can be worsened by the presence of depression. In these instances treating the depression can alleviate the symptoms associated with the disease. Risk factors for depression Depression is a severe mental illness which can afflict anyone, even children, at any stage of their life. There are however prevalent risk factors associated with depression. These risk factors include: People who are aged 49 54. Being of the female gender Living in poverty Alcohol or drug abuse Serious illness Age associated with depression The median age at which depression occurs for the first time may be 32, but the highest depression rates are seen among people aged 49 to 54. One of the reasons may be due to hormonal fluctuations in women caused by menopause. Another important reason may be due to the development of serious illnesses associated with this age group. Diseases that may develop during at this life stage include heart disease and cancer. Financial tension related to specifically retirement goals may be another factor that can influence the onset of depression. Gender associated with depression The relationship between the hormonal changes in a womans body and the occurrence of depression has already been discussed. Apart from these hormonal changes women are exposed to more sociocultural stressors as they have to fulfil multiple roles like earning an income, raising children, and running a household. It is also estimated that many women have suffered from a history of sexual abuse further increasing their risk for developing depression. Poverty associated with depression People who live in poverty struggle to make ends meet causing them to be in a continuous stressful state, feeling overwhelmed and incapable of taking control over their own lives. Loss of control, like that seen in poverty and at the onset of a serious illness, is a major contributing factor in the development of depression. Alcohol or drug abuse Although alcohol abuse is seen in women and men alike, it tends to be more prevalent amongst members of the male gender. Men tend to be less emotionally open and willing to discuss their problems rather turning to alcohol or drug abuse. The sedative effect that these substances have can make it harder for an individual to accept responsibility for their own lives or the lives of their families. In turn this may lead to feelings of inadequacy and consequently depression. Serious illness Diseases like cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and Parkinsons disease can cause an individual to feel like they have lost control over their own lives. When an individual becomes dependant on home care or the care of family members feeling like they are a burden to others combined with the financial burden of a serious disease can worsen their depression.

Language and Identity in Richard Wright’s Black Boy :: Richard Wright’s Black Boy

Language and Identity in Richard Wright’s Black Boy Richard Wright portrays the many aspects of social acceptance and the use of language as a key to identity throughout the novel. He brings the pages to life by using sufficient elements to enhance his writing. Through these displays of rhetorical techniques, the appeal to the reader is dramatically increased which results in a more personal and overall significant meaning to the book Black Boy. The claim of social acceptance is especially evident throughout chapter ten. For example, ?I had no association with them; the religious home in which I lived, my mush-lard gravy poverty had cut me off from the normal processes of the lives of black boys my own age?. (219) The strongest tool used in this passage is that of point of view. Delivering such depth in his own personal emotion, Wright is able to more effectively present evidence. This appeal demonstrates emotional ethos, a technique to capture and somewhat influence readers? opinions. In addition, ?My throat grew tight with anger. I wanted to rush into the room and demand an explanation, but I held still.?(219) His style of writing has an effect so captivating with emotion and with great detailed imagery; it adds dramatic effect to the storyline. Wright?s clever tactics of using personal experience as evidence gives him a unique credibility based on emotion instead of the typical factual driven emphasis. The influence of language as a key to identity is present in the passage on page 229. Wright?s abundant use of derogatory terms which describe him in dialogue supports his diction and tone. Wright uses such degrading profanity as a way to qualify and support his justifications of racial inequality. The white man?s cruel interpretations include that of: ?nigger, bastard, and sonofabitch.? Using such drastic and explicit words to describe black men convey Wright?s claim of fact. This develops a strong thesis and creates motivated assumptions. A strong use of repetition is present which also reinforces the attitudes of the white man.

Tulips by Sylvia Plath

Tulips by Sylvia Plath Tulips, by Sylvia Plath seems to be a poetic expression of depression. The speaker who I assume is Plath is describing the psychological effects after a surgical procedure,which I feel is the time when sadly Plath miscarried her baby. The poem was written through her own view in a hospital room, where the reader is given an insight to the inner thoughts of a woman who has gone through a terrible ordeal, and the objects around her which influence her mentality. The poem follows Plath's admission into hospital and the heart-rendering account of her attempt to recover.There are nine stanzas in the poem, each with five lines, there is no evident rhyme pattern and there is little structure to the poem, although the lack of organization in each stanza seems to be a reflection of the confusion and the loss of control that Plath feels, the only structure shared between the stanzas is the abundance of punctuation, creating a slow rhythm throughout the poem, although Pla th uses alliteration to increase fluency in parts of the poem, â€Å"plastic-pillowed†, â€Å"water went† and â€Å"light lies on white walls†.Plaths tone is serene throughout the poem, however there is a sarcastic tone when she says â€Å"The tulips are too excitable, it is winter here†. The tone of the poem starts out as depressed and bleak then changes into more dynamic and hopeful and the imagery more surreal: â€Å"the mouth of some great African cat†. In the first two stanzas, Plath talks about the situation and her surroundings, whereas the rest of the stanzas reveal her feelings.The most symbolic item in the poem is the tulips, their colour is the first contrast brought to light, they are red and they clash with the white room, they drink in her oxygen and fill the room with life, she describes how nice it had been before the tulips came in and robbed her peaceful isolation. Their redness reminded her of her wound and the tulips lightly bre athing through their white swaddling reminds her of the baby she has lost. In the end the flowers win and begin to overtake the dull whiteness that Plath once found so peaceful. the walls, also, seem to be warming themselves. Another contrast to the red tulips is Plath's use of white as a symbol. The imagery described in the first two stanzas is all white, meaning the absence of colour, which is figurative for the lack of life. â€Å"How white everything is†, â€Å"white walls†, â€Å"white lids†, â€Å"white caps†, she is propped between the white pillow and the white sheet, white is clean and pure and the contrast between the white, sterile surroundings and the red of the tulips is too distracting.Plath uses colour imagery to manifest the themes of life, the red of the tulips is symbolic for life, the colour of blood, and tulips are associated with spring which is a contrast to the winter outside. It is customary to send flowers to a funeral or when som ebody dies, they symbolise a tribute to the life of the one who has died, â€Å"I didn't want flowers† she did not want to be reminded that her baby would never have a life for her to pay tribute to, the tulips were an intrusion on her grief and since they were given as a loving gesture, she looks at them in contempt. â€Å"Nobody watched me before, now I am watched. †Plath includes several references to water, â€Å"my body is a pebble to them, they tend it as water tends to the pebbles it must run over. † â€Å"Water went. † â€Å"The way a river snags and eddies. † The water is symbolic of the tears she has shed over her loss. The interactions between Plath and the nurses are portrayed as cold and impersonal, they do not regard her as an individual, her body is compared to a â€Å"pebble†, an inanimate object with no identity. There is no communication between the nurses and Plath, they simply deliver her medication: â€Å"they bring me numbness in their bright needles, they bring me sleep†, they come to relieve her pain.She seems to relate most things back to her illness, using similes to compare her overnight case to a black pill box. â€Å"They have swabbed me clear of my loving associations†, this could be an indication of what depression does to a person, it robs them of joy In life that comes from loving associations. Even her own family are a cruel reminder of what she has lost: â€Å"My husband and child smiling out of the family photo; Their smilies catch onto my skin, little smiling hooks. † although Plath has no desire for life it is her family and the tulips that are keeping her from letting go, retaining her from sinking.She wants to be free to just be, but the tulips remind her that she has people who love and need her Electroshock treatment, recovery from a suicide attempt and miscarriage were only a few of the times Sylvia Plath was hospitalised. Plath was diagnosed with a combin ation of severe depression, acute insomnia and bipolar disorder (Griffin) the time she spent in hospital and her mental illness are reflected in her poetry. Plath's description of the hospital setting may be a reflection of her own experiences when hospitalised, this would explain why she is so detached from the medical staff.The entire point of the poem is simply how these flowers show her that she can never truly be free from her pain, There will always be something there to remind her of it, sadly we all know the outcome of Sylvia Plaths life and how sad it seems today that Sylvia Plath had to face her mental illness at a time when no one knew the truth about how to treat it. This poem reflects the same depth, grief and creativity that was expressed within the life of Sylvia Plath, and because of her beautiful mind we are left with the gifts she left behind, and Tulips is one of them.

The Effect of Overpopulation on Environment Research Paper Example

The Effect of Overpopulation on Environment Research Paper Example The Effect of Overpopulation on Environment Paper The Effect of Overpopulation on Environment Paper Essay Topic: Biodiversity From recent studies we know that overpopulation do affects our environment. It frequently causes many types of pollution such as water pollution,air pollution,land pollution,noise pollution . Len addition,overpopulation also threat to the biodiversity. To solve this problem,only a sustainable approach toward conserving what currently exists as natural resources could counteract the detrimental effects of overpopulation on the natural world. The Effects of Overpopulation on Environment Talking about pollution, nobodys holy. They who polluted, sinned against nature(Toby Beta). The problem of pollution has become increasingly widespread and potentially more harmful. The main cause for the increase in pollution is that Earths pollution grow larger everyday. Human sometime do something without noticing the impact that will result. They gradually become the enemy who destroy environment. Almost all human activities impact actively the environment in one form or another, and as human population expands, the damaging effects on the environment multiply. Here are some environmental problems that result from human population growth: water pollution, air pollution, land pollution, noise pollution and loss of biodiversity. Overpopulation is one of the main reasons causing water pollution. Population growth usually increases demand for water in living, labouringly, In the same time, we release a large amount of rubbish into the environment especially for rivers, lakes, More than 95% urban sewage in developing Mounties is discharged untreated into the nearest water or field. The main contributors are factories and open mines, discarding waste water with heavy metal, toxic substances and solid waste, which are virtually impossible to purity. In addition, the situation is even worse when it comes to ocean exploitation. Overflowing changes the balance is coastal ecosystems and decreases fish population. Sometimes it might even lead to extinction of certain marine species. Overflowing also damages coral reefs, because it allows algae to overgrow them. It turns out that the ocean is the ultimate airbag dump because eventually all of the sewage, sediment from forest clearing, fertilizer and pesticide run-off flow into it. It is important to preserve the ocean, not only because it is an important source of food, but also because it plays a major role in climate regulation. The circulation Of cold and warm water protects the earth from extreme temperature fluctuations. In addition, oceans absorbs be;en 30 and 40% of the CO given off as a result of human activity, thus keeping global warming at stake. Another effect of overpopulation on environment is air population. We know that the population growth means that the human impact on the environment will be more and more. Many things we do affect the air and the climate we live in. For example, burning of fossil fuels such as coal and petrol. It releases a lot of pollutants into the atmosphere like sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide which have various environmental effects such as Greenhouse Effect. The quantity of Greenhouse Effect gases has increased significantly, its causing a rise in temperature on the Earths surface (Global warming). Besides, everyday human activities such as dry cleaning, filling your car with gas and decreasing ND painting operations. These activities add gases and particles to the air we breathe. When these gases and particles accumulate in the air in high enough concentrations, they can harm us and our environment. More people in cities and surrounding counties means more cars, trucks, industrial and commercial operations, and generally means more pollution. It may cause air pollution by the fumes and exhaust coming from the tail pipe. It will go to the air and when we breathe it in, we could get sick. For instance, in China, air pollution problems are occurring serious. Last July 2009, air pollution has lead o cancer and repository disease. It caused 2 million deaths per year in the worldwide. Land pollution is also a common thing and it happens dues to the increasing population. Population growth results increases the demand for food production. Since the arable land in many Of the overpopulated regions is limited, farmers begin to cultivate dry, hilly, nutrient-poor areas that are not very suitable for farming. Exploiting such lands makes them easily susceptible to erosion and loss of nutrients. For example, in search for farmland in Indonesia, peasants have been planting their crops on steep slopes. As a result, almost one half of Javas land is now in danger of erosion. Globally, the statistics are even more frightening. It is estimated that 1. 2 billion hectares of land, approximately the size of Europe, U. S. And Mexico combined, have lost much of their agricultural output capability in the last 50 years. Besides, land can become polluted by household garbage and by industrial waste. In 2010, Americans produced about 250 million tons of garbage consisting of product packaging, grass clippings, furniture, clothing bottles, food scraps, newspapers, appliances, paint and batteries. Thats about 4. 3 pounds of waste per person per day. There are lots of non-biodegradable waste including containers, bottles and cans made of plastic. Dumping of toxic materials such as chemicals and paints makes the areas surrounding the industries look very fifth. Although domestic and industrial waste are collected and recycled or burnt incinerators, a large amount of rubbish is left untreated. These are then dumped into grounds, leading to land pollution. As well as these pollution, noise pollution is one of the serious damages caused by overpopulation. To serve for humankinds,in the past few years, the rate of automobile manufacturing has increased manifold. Traffic problems created by these vehicles is an important source of noise pollution. Sound produced by the exhaust systems of trucks, autos, buses, motorcycles, etc. Cause a lot of noise. The noise created by a bus or truck is 10-15 times that of a car. SE of diesel which results into high airborne vibration emission is one of the reasons why trucks and buses cause greater amount of noise. Besides, most of us may think of loud assembly lines or construction sites when we hint of noise pollution in the workplace, and while these examples definitely apply, regular offices are not immune. With more people packed into busy office spaces, office noise is a common problem. Co-workers who talk, drum their fingers on the desk, or offer other distracting noises can decrease the productivity of those around them without realizing it. Another problem is home sound. For example, a family with many members would make more noise clouding different sounds like talking, laughing, crying, alarms, Furthermore, people are surrounded by gadgets and use them extensively in our daily life. Gadgets like W, mobile, mixer grinder, pressure cooker, vacuum cleaners, washing machine and dryer, cooler, air conditioners are minor contributors to the amount of noise that is produced but it affects the quality of life of your neighborhood in a bad way. The continued increase human population is having negative effect on our biodiversity. All of the previously described effects of overpopulation on the environ meet lead to the destruction of the natural habitat of many wildlife species. The natural flora and fauna have been under constant pressure to adapt to a quickly changing environment. Since they have been unable to do so, they have been displaced from their natural ecological niche. The constant clearing of the Amazon forest has had devastating effect on many rare tropical species. It has been estimated that 10% of the species in the region have become extinct. In addition, over-exploitation is also a large problem for wildlife. For example, every year over 80 million fish are caught for human consumption. Sometimes the way that the fishing is done destroys marine habitats and catches many other marine animals by accident On the other hand, to meet he demand of human, thousand of plants and animals are take from our nature habitats everyday to be sold, traded or make into various products including gifts. For example, ivory from elephant tusks, coral, sea turtle shells are popular souvenirs that threaten species other products; medicines can also be made using threatened and endangered animals, tiger bone was offend used to help relieve swelling and paint. All of the above environmental issues clearly indicate that the natural assets that humans take for granted are in grave danger. Most of the damage on the environment caused by unman expansion is long-lasting and In some cases permanent.

Thomas Merton essays

Thomas Merton essays Thomas Merton was born on January 31, 1915. As Merton grew he had a sense of pride in the fact that both of his parents were artists. Mertons spiritual journey began to develop and he became conscious of the link between art and spirituality. Thus Thomas Merton is arguably the most influential American Catholic author of the twentieth century. Although during most of his youth, Merton led a rambunctious life. It was not until 1941 that Thomas Merton became a Trappist monk. It was one of the most momentous years in his life. Merton believed that one needed a transformation of consciousness, which is required in order to leave a false self and discover the true self. Merton believed that for him to reach this state, the need to leave the world behind thus he actually entered the world more fully than most of us do. Merton believed in the isolation of no radio, no daily paper, and no television. Through this isolation Merton realized that by being freed of the day-to-day news, he was able to gain a sense of perspective that, time has shown, enabled him to understand what was happening better then most of the people could at the time. From this Thomas Merton became somewhat of a political figure. Thomas Merton believed that race and peace as the two most urgent issues of our time. Merton was a strong supporter of the nonviolent civil rights movement. Merton came to the idea of World Peace. Merton thought that some views were to such an extent that it prevented seeing any good in the political views of our enemies. Thomas Merton came to believe the need to enter upon a way that meant he had to leave all ways and in some sense get lost. Merton came to the acceptance of the other doctrines but it never meant rejection of his own. Merton wrote: Genuine ecumenism requires the communication and sharing, not only of information about doctrines which are totally and irrevocably divergent, but also of religi...

How to Improve Nonverbal Communication Assignment - 14

How to Improve Nonverbal Communication - Assignment Example Physical Appearance: This is how other people see us and how we perceive them and is an important part of the nonverbal dialogue. How we look is what others see on first meeting and this creates perceptions about us in the other person’s mind. At the same time, we apply this to others and receive important nonverbal information, based on our perceptions. For example, if I meet someone who appears to have taken the trouble to be tidy and clean, I think they will behave in ways that match the appearance, such as a friendly and natural manner, well-spoken and polite, smiling and responsive. I am more likely to respond to them in a positive way, mirroring their behaviors. The people I relate to best in social and work situations are those who try to present a pleasing appearance because, in my experience, this goes together with behaviors that help communication, as mentioned above. I have seen how such a person reacts to praise or criticism quietly and thoughtfully, and this also increases my positive perceptions of them. On the other hand, I have met people who are dirty and untidy in appearance, who do not return a smile or greeting, and my perceptions of them are negative, causing me difficulty in establishing communication and rapport. Kinesics: (external displays of human feelings and emotions). These are expressed through such actions as a look, mimicry, gestures to emphasize meanings, poses, and visual communication (sight and movement of eyes). These nonverbal components provide a great deal of information when interactions take place. This is most helpful in cases where people are speaking in different languages, something I have experienced, as I am Russian. Gestures thus become the unique means of dialogue and carry out vital communicative functions.

Linguistic Backgrounds and Writing Skills Research Paper

Linguistic Backgrounds and Writing Skills - Research Paper Example However, the cross tabulation alone canoe be used to do the conclusion. An additional test needs to be conducted, to ascertain the observation. To achieve this factor, I proceeded to conduct a correlation test. The correlation test conducted between English writing achievements and whether one is a first generation American indicated a very small positive correlation of (0.017), at a significance level of 0.906. despite the correlation being a positive value, it is slightly above the zero level, and hence a conclusion can be made that, there is no significant correlation between the person’s achievements in English writing and whether he/ she is a first generation American. From these two test therefore, it is worth concluding that being a native English speaker plays little or no role in the person’s achievements in English writing skills. For this reason, the results of the cross tabulation can be considered valid and consequently leading to the acceptance of the null hypothesis. To examine the hypothesis, a descriptive analysis was done on the data. The study required examination of the percentage of the Native Americans who speak other languages. The table below shows the analysis of the group. From the analysis of the data, there were no missing values as shown in the table above. Out of the 100 participants, 53 were first generation Americans. From the analysis of the responses on whether they spoke other languages, 27 of the Natives replied that they do speak other languages. A graphical representation of the analysis is shown in the pie chart below. To examine the validity of this hypothesis, several tests were conducted, with the most vital one being the cross tabulation. The cross-tabulation of whether the respondent is a native speaker and the level to which he/she considers himself/herself a good writer revealed