Kanza Ahmad Informative Speech
Topic: Depression
Attention getter: About 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men at some point in their lifetime are
affected by an illness called depression. For people between the ages of 10 and 24, most of us
present in this room, suicide is the 3ra leading cause of death. Some form of depression affects
about 350 million people across the entire world, and about 50% of Americans with major
depression don't even seek treatment.
Thesis: Today I will inform you about Depression, which is a disease that can affect
anyone sitting in this room.
a. I will discuss what depression is and how it is caused.
b. I will talk about the many symptoms it brings with it such as insomnia, fatigue,
irritability, overeating, etc.
c. Then I will introduce the few forms of depression such as major depression,
dysthymia, and seasonal affective disorder
d. Finally, I will talk about the possible treatments to cure depression.
11.
First main point: Depression is an extremely complex disease, a real illness that
affects the brain, and comes with a variety of causes.
a. It's not imaginary or just a joke, it's not having a gloomy day, or just being upset.
It's way more than that, especially biologically, and chemistry-wise. It can be
caused from anything, a serious medical illness to a tragic life change such as a
loved ones death. A major problem with this disease is that most people suffering
from this are never diagnosed and treated. Once detected, it's a very easy course of
treatment.
b. Depression is a complex disease that affects a person's life inside and out. It stops a
everything possible. It's like a cloud or filter of gloominess shadows over you and
never leaves. It's like having a bad breakup, but facing the struggles of it every
single day, and doesn't seem to leave no matter what you do.
c. Our brain chemistry and the way neurons and our hormones work face some
significant changes due to depression.
i. Neurons and neurotransmitters are our body's form of sending and
receiving electrical impulses/messages.
ii. The main neurotransmitters associated with depression are Serotonin,
Norepinephrine, and dopamine: regulation of emotions, stress, and
physical drives of sleep, appetite and sexuality.
iii. The endocrine system works with our brain to control all hormone
levels in our body by having small glands located all throughout our
body that create hormones and release them into the blood.
iv. Hormones and the endocrine system face some irregularities as well
from depression due to abnormal levels of hormones because of
problems in appetite, sleeping, reactions to stress and sexual problems
d. The main causes of depression are:
i. Abuse, certain medications, conflict, death or a loss, genetics, major
events (even good ones), social isolation, serious illnesses, substance
abuse
ii. Abuse can be anything from the past or present, and be in the form of
physical, sexual or emotional; Certain medications can have such side
effects that can cause Depression