The Effects of Drugs and Depression Following the American Psychological Association’s Guidelines Joe K. Gerb Bergen Community College
THE EFFECTS OF DRUGS AND DEPRESSION 2 Abstract
A person may be suffering from depressive symptoms and use narcotics with the hope of acquiring some kind of relief. Depressive symptoms can develop as a result of using mind altering substances or as part of withdrawal symptoms when taking breaks from drugs. Low mood in withdrawal can be short and self-limiting, though sometimes it may lead to a very serious and prolonged depressive illness. A person will take drugs to escape or forget a problem in a particularly stressful time of their life. Stress can also be a trigger to an episode of depression. Heavy use of narcotics may lead to a major financial situation, difficulty with personal relationships and possibly problems with the law. A person using recreational drugs could be more likely to have such pressures as these, which can cause depression. Drug use is particularly in many other psychiatric illnesses, such as PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and other anxiety disorders or phobias that may also have symptoms of depression, even if what caused such problems was not depression itself.
THE EFFECTS OF DRUGS AND DEPRESSION 3 Abstract
In many cases, recreational or illegal narcotics may have a major depressant believe that they have a good effect on them, though this is not always the case. There are certain chemicals which are altered during depression. Narcotics also have affect to these chemicals, which is why drugs will alter how we perceive and feel. Dopamine is affected from cocaine, amphetamines and/or ecstasy. Noradrenaline, or Norepinephrine, is affected by amphetamines and opiates (such as heroin or morphine). Seratonin, or 5-HT, is also affected by ecstasy and LSD. It is largely
Bibliography: http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/medicines-cause-depression http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/DS00175/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs http://psychcentral.com/lib/depression-and-substance-abuse-the-chicken-or-the-egg/0003570 PSYCHOLOGY Custom Edition for Bergen Community College: (pages 150-151, chapter 4, altered states 4.7 & 4.8)