Depression Research Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

Depression Research Paper - Essay Example As a mood or affect or emotional state, depression is part of normal human experience. Feelings of sadness and disappointment are within the vicissitudes of the normal human condition. The distinction between normal mood and abnormal depression is not always clear, although considerable research on diagnostic criteria is underway, and neither psychiatrists nor other clinicians agree on the precise line between normal and psychopathological affective phenomena. Diagnosis is especially difficult for the large number of patients with episodes of mood change in which a recent precipitating event appears significant, especially since clinicians tend to credit depressive reactions to such stressful events when they are apparent. As a pathological symptom, depression often occurs in association with other psychiatric and medical illnesses, which makes precise diagnosis even harder. For example, in elderly people the differential diagnosis between early senile dementia and depression may be difficult. The term "secondary depression" has been proposed to encompass these symptomatic depression states. In clinical psychiatric practice, however, most depressive symptoms are "primary," that is, without apparent association with preexistent or concomitant illness. Each year, between 4 and 8 percent of the population experiences a clinical depressive syndrome, a constellation of symptoms in which the mood disturbance is accompanied by sleep difficulty, change in appetite, retardation of thinking, and attitudes of hopelessness, helplessness, pessimism, and even suicidal tendencies. Moreover, since these symptoms often persist, the diagnostic criteria embodied in the third edition of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, known as DSM-III, require at least two weeks' duration of such symptoms, plus evidence that their intensity and pervasiveness have impaired the individual's usual social role performance and personal activities. (Brett Silverstein, Emily Blumenthal, 1997). THE BIOLOGY OF DEPRESSION The human brain is extremely sophisticated; indeed, it is far more complicated and versatile than even the most powerful modern computer. It contains in excess of 100 billion brain cells, known as neurones, each of which is connected to many other neurones. If you look at them under a microscope, neurones appear as thin wires connecting little blobs of brain tissue. However, even with strong magnification the neurone-to-neurone connections, known as synapses, are not apparent. Synapses can be electrical but the majority are chemical. A signal from one part of the brain travels to another-as a series of electrical impulses-along neurones. Where two neurones meet, the signal is carried across the synapse by the release of a tiny balloon-like packet of 'neurotransmitter', in which a message-carrying chemical is carefully packaged. Once released into the synapse this balloon immediately ruptures, releasing its chemical contents, which are then free to quickly migrate across the synapse

US Role in the ME Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

US Role in the ME - Assignment Example decades been involved in affairs of the Middle East with the aim of ensuring stability, democracy, and fostering economic relationships with countries in this region. However, the main aim of the US involvement and influence does not seem to be stability or democracy, but rather, control of the rich oil resource from this region (Shah). The US or any other Western super power should not be directly involved in the affairs of the Middle East and the Gulf region because their involvement is for their own economic benefit but not for the persons living there. This so sought of stability is meant to perpetuate status quo which is good for America and other western super powers but it is very bad for other very many Middle Easterners who have to pay the price. In the so called stability involves worthless civil wars, wars between countries, represses free thought, struggle for freedom, and self determination. There is totally no growth or development, no achievement opportunities and no benefits accruing for the masses whose situation is thought of as stable. As long there is no disturbance as the Americans want, the Middle Eastern continue to live in oppression and poverty, and they are stable (Levy). Evidence – just as Africa, the Middle East is a region very rich in human and natural resource and yet it is the second most backward region after Africa simply because of the interference and unwanted involvement of the west. The citizens of these regions can not oppose bad rule in the stable nations as perceived by the U.S and the west since they actions would be seen to be disturbing the peace and yet, they continue to languish in abject poverty. The West have put corrupt Arab leaders in power and supported the overthrowing of those leaders that they have considered as unfavorable so as to maintain their superiority, influence and control over the region. In addition, this has served to put the population of these countries at bay and in return those leaders