Sierra is now 42 years of age and is raising two children. Sierra was able to find a counselor in her town who helped her to deal with her past, and Sierra felt strong enough to begin to date. She quickly met Tomas, and the two were married. Tomas had a budding career as an architect, and the two were able to live relatively comfortably. They talked about Sierra quitting her job, but she hasn't yet been able to do so. They hope that she will be able to leave in the next few years.
Sierra has found herself mostly satisfied with her life on most days. She hasn't had the bouts of depression that she had when she was younger, and she credits her doctor and her counselor with helping her to develop insight and to experience healing.
* What are the typical developmental milestones for middle adulthood? What is the time period for middle adulthood?
* According to current research and theory, is depression something that can be "cured?" Why or why not? To what extent are Sierra's children likely to suffer from depression?
The time period for middle adulthood is from about 35-65 years old according to the psychology field ("Middle adulthood developmental," 2011). Some typical physical developmental milestones for the middle adulthood period of one’s life include: gray and thinning hair, wrinkles, the need for reading and bifocal eyeglasses, hearing loss, decline in the major organs (lungs, heart and digestive system), and women undergo menopause. Some emotional milestones that occur in middle adulthood include: better familial relationships, positive attitudes, less stress, better handling of life’s stressors, and more supportive friendships. Some cognitive milestones that occur during the middle adulthood stage of life include: flexible thinking, higher levels of intuition, higher levels of adaptability, highest point of vocabulary skills, peak of crystallized intelligence, beginning of the decline of fluid intelligence, and are at their highest peak vocationally ("Middle adulthood developmental," 2011).
ReplyDeleteMiddle adulthood developmental psychology. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.allpsychologycareers.com/topics/middle-adulthood-development.html
Depression can be seen as a tricky topic. Some people have worse cases than others when it comes to depression. According to the article “Fit and Health” it states that “depression affects about 121 million people around the world” (Toothman, 2011). When someone is diagnosed with clinical depression “most of them are treated with antidepressants, counseling or some combination thereof” (Toothman, 2011). Some of the symptoms for clinical depression are “lethargy, loss of concentration, lack of interest in daily activities, feelings of deep sadness, and suicidal tendencies” and these thoughts are usually chronic and not only when someone has a bad day (Toothman, 2011). Treatments for people with clinical depression are different for each person and are usually customized for a particular person. It has been said that “even if most of the symptoms of depression have cleared up, low-lying issues can indicate trouble down the line; experts recommend that treatments continue well beyond the point when a person is simply starting to feel better” (Toothman, 2011). If therapy and medication do not exceed this point, relapse can be likely. This is not to say that people with depression can never be cured because some do; it is that many are not and depression needs to be taken one day at a time. Depression is not a quick-fix illness.
ReplyDeleteFor Sierra’s children to have depression, it can be seen as a possible result. According to “Discovery Health” it states that “first-degree relatives (parents, siblings and children) of patients with major depression have been found to have a two to three times higher prevalence of major depression than normal counterparts” (Schimelpfening, 2011). Even though no genetic studies have identified what specific genes are involved, it “is likely that major depression is a genetically complex condition involving multiple genes and possibly multiple modes of inheritance” (Schimelpfening, 2011). This is not to say that Sierra’s children will develop depression, but it is a possibility. The children could develop depression later on their lives.
Schimelpfening, N.W. (2011, September 01). “Is depression genetic?” Retrieved from
http://depression.about.com/od/naturevsnurture/f/genetic.htm
Toothman, J.P. (2011, March 14). “Can clinical depression be completely cured?” Retrieved from http://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/depression/facts/depression-cure.htm
Questions from group 7:
ReplyDelete1. Is it likely that an event could trigger Sierra into falling back into her state of depression or has she developed strong enough coping strategies to avoid finding herself back in that situation?
2. Does Tomas know of Sierra’s past and does he know the warning signs to look for if she seems to be down certain days?