There
was a song by The Cranberries entitled Wake up and Smell the Coffee. One
of the lines says, “I was twenty-four, was insecure, do whatever it takes” incidentally
reflected my so-called quarter-life crisis 20 years ago. I did not want to go
out of the house and was only interested in doing household chores and play
Diablo III until dawn to fall asleep. I was part of the age bracket that had had
to deal with life’s many challenges before the prefrontal cortex is fully
developed at the age of 25. (Nierenberg, 2016, para. 6)
Understanding what depression is, its implication
and importance to increased knowledge on this topic, as well as how future HOAs
can therapeutically communicate with clients who are in this situation shall be
described and discussed in this paper.
Down
and Under
Psychiatrists in the past diagnosed depression
using different criteria. However, they used a more comprehensive definition and
set of diagnostic criteria from the DSM-5 and ICD-10-CM to reconcile somehow
the confusion. Depression, therefore, is described when there is a persistent
feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It is considered a mood disorder. (Tamparo
& Lindh, 2019, p.192) It can be minor depression that lasts for at least 2
weeks having two symptoms showing or major (clinical) depression which a person
could report showing five or more symptoms for the past 2 weeks. There is a
full range of signs and symptoms that are also associated with depression
specifiers. For instance, a person with a psychotic specifier would show signs and
symptoms of depression that are coupled with delusions and hallucinations. (Tamparo
& Lindh, 2019, p.193)
Therefore, the implication in the increased knowledge of defining depression would allow future HOAs a more adept therapeutic communication response to clients who are experiencing episodes of this mood disorder. In addition, future HOAs would also have the awareness of their own mood which could be positive or negative when dealing with them. There is, however, a thin line in being involved emotionally or there is a possibility that transference will occur. Communicating therapeutically with clients who have depression would mean understanding the disorder, listening to the clients attentively, encouraging the client to get professional help, and lastly providing community resources. (Tamparo & Lindh, 2019, p.199) The role of the HOA is very vital once the client with depression comes to the premises because their interaction will set the atmosphere of safety, comfort, and mitigate the feeling of being judged. It is important to note that HOAs may not even always have a great day, thus, it is crucial to recognize one’s mental state. My personal experience of having had experienced depression would allow me to talk with the clients in a more emphatic and professional manner. Wake up and smell the coffee, as The Cranberries would reiterate, could also provide an impetus for future HOAs that nothing is always constant even momentary feelings of sadness and lack of interest in things. We just have to wake up, shut up, and smell the coffee. It may seem like they are very easy steps but for sure they take some courage and effort to do so.
References
Farrell, H. (2015, December 15) What is
Depression. Ted-Ed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-IR48Mb3W0
Nierenberg, C. (2016, October 27) 7
Ways to Recognize Depression in 20-Somethings. Live Science. https://www.livescience.com/56602-signs-depression-young-adults.html
Tamparo, C. & Lindh, W. (2019) Therapeutic
Communication for Health Care Professionals (4th Edition) [2.5.8484.0]
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