Mental illness is a sensitive subject that few people are comfortable talking about. Despite its touchy nature, mental illness is an unfortunate part of life that many people are exposed to, either through knowing a loved one suffering from mental illness, or that they have this type of disease themselves. These types of illnesses can have numerous effects that usually lead to the deterioration of a person’s health in both the psychological and physical sense. One notable example of a mental illness that carries both types of effects is depression, a serious illness that can have an adverse impact on the simple daily functions of an individual, and can affect anyone. One notable instance of how depression can have an influence in daily
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With Martha, there are several instances in which therapists diagnose that her depression was primarily due to biological reasons, such as a history of depression in her family with her grandmother having suffered from the same illness (Manning, 1995, p. 58). There is also a higher likelihood that people who have relatives who suffered from depression have an increased risk of inheriting it as well (Whitbourne & Halgin, 2013, p. 171). The other perspective that is related in Martha’s depression involves sociocultural influences. There are several traumatic instances within the book that Martha experienced, with the most notable example being the miscarriages she went through during her marriage with Brian (Manning, 1995, p. 58). She also encounters another traumatic event with one of her patients in Annie, who confided in the Martha during her cancer treatment until her death (Manning, 1995, p. 41). The unhealthy lifestyle choices that she makes are also a possible contribution to her depression. Her house is a mess, with both her and Brian not making any considerable effort to any of the chores in the house, such as cleaning the bathrooms (Manning, 1995, p. 6). These issues are reinforced by Sima, who despite being hired to help clean Martha’s house, reinforces the notion that Martha and her house are a mess (Manning, 1995, p. 38). With Martha, a combination of both the daily stresses she endures, and a biological connection to depression through family history are notable factors with people who suffer from
With Martha, there are several instances in which therapists diagnose that her depression was primarily due to biological reasons, such as a history of depression in her family with her grandmother having suffered from the same illness (Manning, 1995, p. 58). There is also a higher likelihood that people who have relatives who suffered from depression have an increased risk of inheriting it as well (Whitbourne & Halgin, 2013, p. 171). The other perspective that is related in Martha’s depression involves sociocultural influences. There are several traumatic instances within the book that Martha experienced, with the most notable example being the miscarriages she went through during her marriage with Brian (Manning, 1995, p. 58). She also encounters another traumatic event with one of her patients in Annie, who confided in the Martha during her cancer treatment until her death (Manning, 1995, p. 41). The unhealthy lifestyle choices that she makes are also a possible contribution to her depression. Her house is a mess, with both her and Brian not making any considerable effort to any of the chores in the house, such as cleaning the bathrooms (Manning, 1995, p. 6). These issues are reinforced by Sima, who despite being hired to help clean Martha’s house, reinforces the notion that Martha and her house are a mess (Manning, 1995, p. 38). With Martha, a combination of both the daily stresses she endures, and a biological connection to depression through family history are notable factors with people who suffer from