Abraham Lincoln's Depression And Clinical Depression

According to newspaper reporters and his colleagues, Abraham Lincoln was a man with reoccurring spells of melancholy. In his youth, Lincoln saw the world around him as cruel, and often had thoughts of suicide. Some of Lincoln’s relatives including his father would go through episodes of social withdraw, with feeling of gloom would indicated that Lincoln’s depression was biological. One could also argue that through Lincoln’s childhood misfortunes, such as the death of his brother and mother from illness and disease, a foundation was laid for his melancholy episodes in later life. Growing up in life, Lincoln’s voracious appetite for reading and writing poetry, along with a desire for self-education, lead his father to view him as lazy which …show more content…
The varying degrees of depression can range from normal mood swings to what is termed as clinical depression. A person going through temporary sadness or unhappiness does not mean that a person is depressed. Though a person going through life with a constant feeling of emotional pain with the inability to enjoy pleasure or social support from friends and family would be defined as depression. Some psychologists believe that depression is a disease of the mind, or a biological disorder that is genetically inherited. And then there are others who do not view depression as a disease, but as a continuing deepening of emotional feelings. Thirdly, depression has also been viewed as a manifestation due to intense external or environmental influences, which can be treated with medication and therapy. Though many question the validity of an environment creating clinical depression in a person. (Schwartz …show more content…
Each of these four classifications have a direct correlation with the others, and therefore the treatment in one will help alleviate symptoms of depression within the other three classifications. The first classification is known as the affective symptom which is linked to the patient’s feeling of sadness or unhappiness. Patients will typically manifest this intense emotional sadness into physical pain through their body. Next is the motivational symptom were the patient has loss the positive energy to accomplish simple daily tasks. The patient will have severe symptoms of depression were they will go out of their way to avoid any daily routine. Thirdly is the cognitive symptom were the patient is having a difficult time with concentration on their daily tasks. And the fourth symptom is known as behavioral, were the patient instills self-defeating ideals due to the psychological effects of depression. (Beck