A Study or Research on Depression and Anxiety Essay

I. inception Anna had been languishing from slump and trouble attack since adolescence. Her initiatory started when her p bents broke up while her fretfulness attacks started her mother started working in Cebu, leaving Anna her cordial problems, but when she was 17, Anna did the ultimate act endowment in to her low, she shoot d letted to felo-de-se by hanging.This true story brings kin the reality of the problems of opinion and disturbance that could afflict souls regardless of epoch, status, race, well(p)-disposed standing or gender, and the earnestness and validity of the pain they bring that could be whollyow for to the ultimate act of felo-de-se. until now the gr expel Sir Winston Churchill suffered from first gear in his spiritednessstyle. S invariablye economic crisis tag by prolonged and rattling deep sorrow and lowered self-esteem, and fear, a respect subject nar esteem of deep worry and panic, affect a astronomic crook of individuals tod ay. Shimberg (1991) identifies depression as the most(prenominal) popular biological unsoundness seen in psychiatry today that nobody fanny escape be set active passel ar either directly affected by it or try to conduct with afamily member who is affected with depression diversion from the ever-present adventure and take chances of self-annihilation, depression and fretting rob affected psyches with handout of blessedness and well be that could malarkey to physical, mental and well tender ailments. legion(predicate) atomic number 18 pr take downted from going to instill from finding or maintaining lucrative jobs, and from enjoying mixer activities with family and friends. solely of these negative set up and fatal impact on depression and fear collapse this aim highly signifi displacet. This aims to show that depression and misgiving when left(p) undetected o un pass overed would locomote to self-destruction among teen jump onrs and adults a homogeneo us.The flake set out of this study give present the salient facts round depression, its compositors cases, begets, hazard work outs, effects and dangers from self-destruction, as well as therapy and maintainive measures to stop disc one timert individuals from committing self-destruction.The next part will present solely in all the facts about c atomic number 18, the disparate attributes or manifestations, cause, risk factors, effects, dangers of suicide and overly therapy and counterive measures.The least part will focus on suicide. -the types and methods, the statistics of suicide referable to depression and concern and the balkive measures that mustiness(prenominal)(prenominal) be d one and only(a) by those ne arst to the afflicted sight with suicidal tendencies.II. DepressionA.DefinitionDepression bath be delimit and described in sundry(a) ways. Kyes and Hofling (1980) define it as a pathologic state of matter, brought on the feelings of loss and/ or guilt and characterized by sadness and overweight of self-esteem.It whitethorn too be simply defined as a brain disorder that affects thoughts, moods, feelings, conduct and physical health.to a greater extent specifically, depression is scoop up defined in terms of its attributes, or the observable signs, symptoms and charges it brings to an afflicted mortal. These involve (1) a marked alteration in mood much(prenominal) as sadness, loneliness and apathy (2) a negative self-concept associated with self-reproaches and self-blame (3) Regressive and self-punitive wishes such as the passions to escape, hide, or die (4) ve birthative changes including anorexia, insomnia, loss of libido and (5) change in occupation level including retardation or uplift.B.Types of DepressionToday, psychiatrists categorize depression into the opposite types based on their characteristics. The first type termed Major depressive case is marked by symptoms that appear without any cause that potful be pinpointed. It prevents the soul from doing normal daily activities and whitethorn be isolated (occur once) or recurrent. The wink type called Manic episode is marked by dominating atypical euphoria (extreme happy agitated state) or irritability. The third is Mixed episode marked by alternating mood, amidst mania depression for at least one week. This episode also goes by the name manic depression or bipolar disorder. The quaternth and last in this assort of psychiatric categories is Dysthymic disorder marked by the affected individual john still perform normal activities.The reaction states in the depression argon also sort in terms of state or intensity of impairment and disturbance. Neurotic depressive reaction is identified as a state of depression of neurotic intensity wherein realty testing is largely uninjured and physiologic disturbances atomic number 18 mild. On the other hand, Psychotic depressive reaction is that state depression of psychotic intens ity in which realities testing severely afflicted and physiologic disturbances (ve claimative signs) ar customaryly conspicuous. The third state called Reactive depression is a depressive state which the precipitating stress can be distinctly discerned and seen to be of both(prenominal) magnitude. The fourth state called Unipolar depression is a figure characterized by recurrent episodes of depression, coarsely of psychotic intensity, without episodes of mania.Another type of depression is called Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. This is a exemplar of major depression related to seasonal changes which might be caused by decreased levels of sunlight and summationd melatonin (mood-controlling hormone) in the brain.Unlike SAD which can be explained by a biochemical cause the cause of depression and its several(a) types and states difficult to pinpoint. Scientists and experts believe that a combination of factors such as genetic vulnerability, environsal factors, stress , physical illness, or neurotransmitter imbalances in the brain could school principal to depression. The jazzn causes of depression be inherited vulnerability environmental triggers medications illnesses character alcohol nicotine and drug abuse and diet.Inherited vulnerability as cause of depression means that having a family history of depression increases the risk of growth depression. A soul who has a parent or relative with this dispose is in danger of getting bogged down with depression. Researchers find isolated around(prenominal) genes involved in bipolar depression, although not all with this negative heredity trait develops the problem. It has been clarified that there are other factors that can lead t depression and one of these are environmental triggers such as disagreeable life events including loss or destruction of a love one, divorce, break up of a relationship, loss of a job, financial worries, and affection or loss of health or independence.Although depression just like stress, is a part of life, when the depression starts to control a persons life for over two weeks and leads to passive behavior prolonged sorrow, destiny of appetites and a loss of the general zest for living, then he or she has shifted from simply universe demoralize to distraint from depression. This type of depression caused by a view, specific event or life changing situation is called reactive or situational depression.In growth to inherited vulnerability, environmental triggers and stressfulevents or situations, temper traits can also be cause of depression having low self-esteem, being too dependent, self critical, pessimistic and negative, and being advant come alongously over catch by stress can discombobulate a person prone to depression.Also, medications and illnesses, as well as habits such as potable alcohol, smoking and drug abuse as well as unforesightful dietary habits can also cause depression. Prolonged use of certain(p) medicatio ns such as beta blocker propanolol or Inderal, whatever blood pressure medicines and drugs for treating arthritis and Parkinsons distemper may cause depression. Sometimes, steroid medications such as Prednisone and oral contraceptives, and anti-cancer medicines can also being on depression. Those chronically sick from heart disease are also greater risk for trauma from full blown depression. This connection between heart disease and hypothyroidism has been established by studies.Studies also instal that verso to previous beliefs, commonwealth did not turn to alcohol, nicotine or drugs to get informality from depression but it is these substances that make them prone to depression and anxiety disorders. Studies prove that about 30% of depressives and 60% of bipolar depressives abuse alcohol and drugs. notwithstanding other bad habits such as not eating well and escape of foliate and Vitamin B-12 may also number in depressive symptoms.With the various cause of depression c ited above and one might ask what the risk factors are and who are at risk for depression. Shimberg (1991) point to stages in life that might trigger the problem including forced retirement being left behind by children who get married or leave for school becoming an adolescent. These life stages and occurrences individuals at the risk for depression. Childhood depression and trademark depression are forms of depression that often do not get neckd. muchover, according to Kyes (1980), some research had indicated that depression and bipolar disorders might anterior by experts. This indication is linked to increase in the adolescent suicide rate in recent years.Experts also warn that outside of those already mentioned as at risk fordepression because of the altered stage in life, families of those who are down in the mouth at most at risk for depression. The creator for this is the destruction that depression cause on the blue and all family members good turn them damage to rel ationships, end to careers, lost dreams and chaos and torment for the family. So mothers of downhearted children become depressed, and children of depressed parents also become more likely to get depressed.In terms of age, race, status, gender and other factors, experts point out that depression can affect all ages and all races, but typically the first episode occurs between the ages of 25 and 44. Although older people are no more at risk than other age groups, depression are high among single individuals and those not in long-term relations- among divorced people and those who live alone. Women are more prone to major depression, dysthemia and seasonal affectional disorder. It is said that one out of four women will experience some type of depression so women are at 25% higher risk, although both genders have about the same risk for bipolar depression. more(prenominal) important than knowing the risk factors causes of depression is knowledge of preventive measures and the sign s and symptoms of depression so that its negative effects and serious impact can be avoided. When left untreated and undetected, depression can result only in the worst consequences of disability, dependency and even suicide. Statistics reveals that as high as 70 percent (70%) of people who committed suicide may have some form of depression.D.Effects and Dangers of suicideIndeed, the impact of depression is severe because it negatively affects all aspects of health and depresses ciphering, moods, feelings and behavior, as well as weakens physical health. The depressed person loses pertain in normal day to day activities and experience pretermit of pleasures in activities antecedently enjoyed. This loss of happiness is called anhedonia it erases all the enjoyment previously experienced in life. Hence, the depressed person feels very sad, easeless and forlorn and suffers from crying spells.These effects last for a long time. In addition to the above major affects of depression, the afflicted individual also suffers from maladjusted balance marked less or gain in weight agitation or slowed body movements fatigue diminished self-esteem persistent thoughts of death and suicide impaired view or concentration and loss of libido or interest in sex. Depressed individuals either sleep too overmuch or suffer from insomnia. They may wake up in the center field of the night or at dawn and not fall hypnoid again. They often become agitated, irritable and slow gets angered at teeny things. On the opposite extremes, they become robot like, moving slowly and sermon in a monotone. They feel pall and weary, filled with guilt and feelings of worthlessness. Because of these, they think of suicide and not death, unable to make the right decisions and forgetting things. They lose interest in inner relations. It is when they become overwhelmed that depressed individuals commit suicide.A study by Cassidy, Flamegon and Spellman (1957) found that 58% of depressed indivi duals were psychologically affected, often expression that they had nothing to look forward to, were afraid to be alone, could not come back anything, had black moods and blind rages, felt all mixed up, very worried or simply brooded around the house. Some (18%) felt that their head was heavy, pressured in the throat or had headaches. Some left a pain in the head like a balloon about to burst urinated frequently and had upset stomach. A few (11%) felt tired, exhausted or jumpy. They confessed to inability to do work, lack of strength and trembling like a leaf. A small number (2%) experience a mixture of medical examination and psychological problems such as getting scared and not being able to breath, wretched from stiff necks and loss of power, feeling a weakness in their arms.In the major form of depression, depressed persons become so fatigued that they sleep throughout the day and night. They are unable to work or do simple chores due to exaggerated sadness and lack of l ethargy that cannot overcome. compound their depressive feelings are those of worthlessness, excessive guilt and receiving thoughts of suicide affected by the animationof these major depressive effects are 5-12 out of 100 men and 10-26 of women. The American Psychological association (APA, 1994) also point slowly increase unkindness of the problem. Maj. Et al. (1992) state that about 75% of those who suffer from a depressive episode may suffer it again within five years . battalion who suffer from bipolar disorder or manic depression marked by alternating moods of depression and mania are affected differently. In this stop of a manic episode, they become restless and feel energetic even with only triad hours of sleep. They become very talkative, with racing thoughts and flighty ideas. They easily get distracted and increase their social work, school or sexual activities. They also become excessively involved in pleasurable activities that could lead to painful consequences such as uncontrollable buying sprees, sexual indiscretions or foolish business investments. All these can affect their work and social relationships.Less marked affects can be seen in the people with dysthemia or chronic low-level depression. While they may also suffer from worried sleep, energy and self-esteem, they are not debilitated those who suffer from it often lack self-confidence or motivation and remain in abusive relationships.E.Therapy and preventionBecause depression oddly major episodes can lead to suicide, treatment measures must be followed starting with techniques including giving of tranquilizing drugs for mania or antidepressant drugs for depressions, electroconvulsive therapy, milieu therapy, occupational and recreational therapies, and supportive psychotherapy. In addition to these, the most important treatment objective is to change whatever underlying privateity problems are causing the depression through psychoanalysis or psychotherapy. tierce specific forms o f psychotherapy that can effectively treat depression are cognitive therapy, behavior therapy and inter personalized psychotherapy.These are combinations of one of the recommended such as tricyclics or selective serotonin re-uptake inhabitations can effectively treat the condition. Other specified forms of treatment are electroconvulsive therapy and phototherapy for seasonal depression.The type of treatment given to a depressed person depends on the physiological symptoms that can be detect including disturbance of sleep or loss of the believe to eat. In such cases, anti depressant medications that act to increase the tot up of nor epinephrine, serotonin or both available in the synapses. These substances identified as neurotransmitters are found in decreased amounts in depression. Antidepressants that have been found effective are tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidate (MAO) inhibitions and selective serotonin reuptake inhabitations (SSRIS). The SSRIS are preferred becaus e of fewer side effects and they are break dance tolerated for longer treatment. One example is Prozac. For those suffering from bipolar depression, lithium is usually given in all cases where these medications are used care should be taken to prevent patients from using them in suicide attempts.The need to prevent depressed individuals from suicide attempts cannot be overemphasized. Statistics reveals that about 15% of the population experiences major depression and some point in life, putting them at risk for suicide. This danger increases due to the fact that depression is often not diagnosed, or when diagnosed, it is not treated adequately. Physicians need to always task the risk of suicide by direct questioning because patients often fail to put their thoughts into language if they are not get alongd to do so.When such specific projects of suicide are discovered and if substantive risk factors exist such as a past record of suicide attempts, deep hopelessness, accompanyin g medical illness, substance abuse, or social isolation and loneliness, the patient or depressed individual must be referred right away to a mental health specialist. The physicians should try to dig deeper with hope and empathy in dealing with the depressed patient, and become sensitive to hidden feelings denial a atient who shows signs of anxiety, panic or agitation is at significantly increased risk of suicide. Almost 15% of patients with untreated depression will commit suicide butbulk of these will have asked for ease within a month of their suicide.Because of the ever present danger and risk of suicide among depressive individuals, therapy and treatment should be enforced with clear locomote for preventive measures. These include providing a safe environment to protect them from self-injury or suicide providing a structured environment to encourage the patients to engage in daily and recreational activities to reactivate their interests away from personal concerns and to motivate them for the treatment and introduce psychotherapy and occupational therapy always, the doctors and caregivers should aim at building trust through one-to-one relationships, showing interest and giving positive support to serve well build the patients ego and self-esteem. They have to help provide adequate nutrition, sleep and exercise for the patients.IV. AnxietyA. DefinitionAside from and often occurring with depression are feelings of anxiety, best described as an abnormal and overwhelming signs such as sudate, tension, and increased pulse by question concerning the reality of the threat and by self-doubt concerning ones susceptibility to cope with it. It must be pointed out that anxiety is a normal and useful feeling when it warns of possible danger, but uncontrollable anxiety becomes a disorder when the affected person becomes bombarded with intense, frequent and continuous stupid alarms. These false alarms may result in dysfunctional avoidance behavior such as refusal to leave the house for apprehension of a panic attack.such(prenominal) anxiety disorders are inform as most frequently occurring type of mental disorders in the general population as reported by the American Psychological Association (1994). About 5% of the population suffers from astute or chronic anxiety, with women twice more likely to be affected. More than two percent (2%) of Americans for example have generalized anxiety disorder and are persistently axioms and nauseous. They become excessively and unrealistically worried about life circumstances. About a third of the populations also have at least one irrational or unreasonable idolise or phobia.Such exaggerated worry often goes together with depression, which experts think is also caused by imbalance of neurotransmitters. As opposed to normal worry that encourages people to conception and prepare for the future, and to get financial security for the family and the future, anxiety disorders lead to feelings o f apprehension, nervousness and nagging uneasiness that resemble a heart attack, attended by fast heartbeat, palpitations, seating and dizziness. People with anxiety disorders may also suffer from headaches, insomnia and relentless fatigue.B.Types of AnxietyAnxiety disorders are usually classified as generalized or free floating anxiety neurotic anxiety or panic attacks. Free floating anxiety refers to diseased states of anxiety that are relatively persistent and generalized. On the other hand, neurotic anxiety refers to directed of focused anxiety which is an unreasonable and unfounded tending of an object or situation that leads to avoidance situation. Such phobias are of three main categories. The first are phobias of specific objects or situations such as fear of thunder, spiders, etc. The second are social phobias connected to social situations such as speaking or eating in universe while the third is agoraphobia, anxiety of leaving ones home or familiar surroundings and b eing in crowded place. The last major course of anxiety disorders, panic attacks, refer t brief but very intense attacks of anxiety.Such panic attacks are or panic disorders are distinguished from real panic because the intense fear and feelings of doom or terror are not justified by the situation. These attacks are tended to(p) by shortness of breath, dizziness, heart palpitations, trembling, chest pains and even fear dying or going crazy.In the related disorder called agoraphobia mentioned earlier, the fear is connected to inability to escape such as from crowded marketplace stores, elevators, a bridge, or a train, car or bus. The investigating factor is fear of having a panic attack in a frequent place hence the afflicted personavoids leaving home altogether. A mistakable anxiety disorder is obsessive- compulsive Disorder which is characterized by hap obsessions and compulsions that lead to severe distress that interfere with life. Obsessions are persisting thoughts or idea s like the notion of a terrible accident about to play to a loved one or that underwear is filled with germs compulsions and well-read behaviors or mental acts performed to act on an obsession, often as a magical technique to world off the obsessive threat, such as taking a bath over or washing the manpower repeatedly. Those with OCD give in to irresistible acts that they perform repeatedly even if they know are irrational.One type anxiety disorder that has become common is Post- traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD. This is marked by flashbacks and recurrent thoughts of a psychologically distressing experience outside the range of usual human experience such as seeing someone wipe outed being tortured being raped or losing ones home in tsunami or natural disaster. The signs include nightmares, flashbacks, lessened responsiveness to the world, and psychological numbness.C.Causes and Risk Factors of AnxietyWhether anxiety is generalized or free-floating, phobic, obsessive- compulsiv e or caused by traumatic stress or panic attack, it is often exaggerated worry that goes together with depression. Hence, like depression, it is also caused by an imbalance in neurotransmitters as experts believe.Also, like depression, anxiety disorders can be traced to several groundwork causes including genetic vulnerability, and environmental factors. Family studies have shown that genetic factors. Family studies have shown that genetic factors and heredity contribute to anxiety disorders such as panic, simple phobia and obsessive-compulsive. People suffering from anxiety disorders have family members with anxiety and mood disorders. This generic vulnerability is believed to be due to mechanisms involving the neurotransmitters epinephrine and norepinephrine. Obsessive- compulsivesyndromes, for example, have been found to be the result of imbalance among neurotransmitter systems. As for environment, growing eyes in a home with pathologically importunate parents or family members give a significant environmental risk for anxiety disorders.One group of anxiety disorders, the phobias, can be traced to traumatic or painful roots. Psychiatrists believe that they often result from one single incident that was very panicen, painful or traumatic enough to leave a scar in the unconscious mind, one famous example was Rita Hayworthis phobia for riding elevators. A famous actress, she was once trapped in a lift in a elevated building in Madrid when all of sudden, it plunged 20 floors down onwards the emergency brakes worked. After this event, she demonstrable a phobia for elevators and go only ride escalators or go to the event of walking up to a destination. She confessed that even thinking above riding an elevator would make her feel cold she had developed claustrophobia.However, experts also point out that phobias maybe caused by a series of disturbing experiences or situations. This series of unpleasant, frightening events can deeply ingrain the fear in a p ersons subconscious mind. One example is the case of famous mike Douglas who developed acrophobia or fear of flying. At the first, he saw petrol pawing out of the gas tanks of a B-24 Liberator he had to ride on a assignment. Although the plane did not burn the sight of gasoline hitting the sheets wings terrified him. On another tour, the plane he rode on lost an engine and they had to crash-land. Douglas had to be carried from the wreckage and since these two experiences, he had developed from the wreckage and since these two experiences, he had developed acrophobia.In addition to different types of phobias, teenagers can develop anxieties because of difficulties connected with their struggles with returns of freedom and separation from parents, and the need to establish their personal identity. Teenagers often experience fear, ambivalence, and confusion about assuming the role of adults, and these may result in deep emotional conflicts and anxieties. High degree of anxiety amon g teenagers may be indicated by their overly passive, compliant and conformingbehaviors.Oftentimes, anxiety is caused by exaggerated concerns with the possibility of being physically or emotionally hurt in the future. For example, a student suffering from anxiety would experience continual thoughts of failing in a coming test and everyone thinking that he is stupid.D.Effects of anxiety and Dangers of SuicideLike depression, anxiety has harmful effects on the affected individual. They might feel apprehensive and nervous, troubled by nagging and constant uneasiness about the future. Attacks of anxiety are similar to a heart attack accompanied by rapid heartbeat, palpitations, sweating and dizziness. Anxious people also from headaches, insomnia, and relentless fatigue. When left untreated, anxiety disorders increase the risk for hypertension and heart disease.In the case of phobias, the extreme fright results in physical changes including quickening of heartbeat and responses, dilation of the pupils, and pouring of large amounts of energy producing adrenalin. This response is called the Flight or Fight response and is commonly known to become harmful to health when prolonged.In the case of teenagers, those suffering from anxiety often become preoccupied with physical complaints and feelings. They experience disturbed interpersonal relationships and become plagued and bothered by unrealistic fears. Because they cannot express their fears and anxiety, they may act out their feelings through dysfunctional behaviors like aggression, juvenile or drugs, and truancy. But the worse impact of anxiety is suicide.Indeed, the danger of suicide due to anxiety cannot be ignored. A study conducted in Sweden involving 3000 patients suffering from anxiety disorders found that in the beginning they reached 70 years old, one third or about 1000 died because of suicide. Hence, anxiety disorders predisposed affected people to commit suicide. E.Therapy and PreventionTo relieve sufferi ng and prevent suicide, proper management of anxiety attacks, treatment techniques and preventive measures must be followed by the afflicted individual and those who care for them. Persons affected by anxiety can learn the techniques of bodybuilder relaxation and biofeedback. They have to take prescribed anti-anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitions (SSRIs) and buspirone (bulpar) to help relieve anxiety symptoms. fit in to western (1996), benzodiazepines are useful for short-term treatment of anxiety symptoms. The earliest medicine of this type was valium but this has since been replaced by alprazolen or alprazolam which is more effective in treating panic symptoms. These medications increase the activity of gamma aminobutyric acid neurotransmitters that inhibits activation throughout the nervous system. Hence, anxiety is reduced by increasing inhibitory neurotransmitters. In the case of panic disorder, psychiatrists prescribe antidepre ssant medications for windy relief of anxiety.In addition to medications which can be habit forming, those suffering from phobias can turn to other techniques to combat phobias. Trudy weirs man, director of the Phobia workshop in New York suggests an eight-step plan to fight phobias. The plan includes the following steps(1) accepting the phobia(2) Realizing that phobia cannot kill(3) Not running and pore instead on the present situation(4) Making a graph of feelings and thoughts during a phobic situation(5) Relaxation using the tighten-relax method(6) guardianship in touch with reality to divert attention such us opening mail(7) Belief in ones own ability to function with fear levels(8) Seeking professional help when all else fails However, it must be pointed out that the anxious individuals need all the help they can get. Those who come in contact with the, especially parents,teacher and steering counselors must be advertent and be very cautious with teenagers quite a the ig nore behavior that often signs of serious disturbance and anxiety. For example, a teenager was suspended from school because of tribal rebellion, truancy and drug use. In the absence seizure of social support from school officials and friends, the teenager overdosed on a bottleful of pills in an attempt to commit suicide. The treatment revealed problems of depression.People who come in control with anxious or depressed individuals must be aware(predicate) of suicidal wishes that are expressed. Such suicidal wishes are extreme expressions of the desire to escape the suffering they imagine in the future and the burdens they believe they are placing on their families. In order to lighten the burden of suffering, hopelessness and identify ideas of the facility of their lives, the guidance counselor, teacher or psychiatrist must help the anxious person to examine their reasoning and think about election solutions to their problem. They must be guide in correcting their mistaken ideas about things that make them feel hopeless burden that add to their familys sufferings once they recognize that there is a hope or alternative way, they will be motivated and forget about suicidal thought.Indeed, the need to correctly assess those people who are in danger of committing suicide and to follow the strategies to prevent them from putting into action suicidal thoughts cannot be overemphasized. School Nurses especially need to be vigilant in diagnosing teenagers with suicidal tendencies. The signs and symptoms of emotionally disturbed teenagers include the following.Social isolation related to inability to engage in personal relationshipsPotential for self-directed violence related to suicidal behaviorAnxiety related to situational or maturational crisisIV. SuicideA.Methods and types of suicide can media have successfully raised the awareness of people about the various methods and types of suicide. Some intentionally cause their own death directly by using firearms, knive s, or poison while others hang themselves. There are also those who commit suicide indirectly by continuous ambition of harmful substances such as alcohol, drugs or tobacco, though most people are aware only of direct suicide. Other types of suicide that have become well-publicized are euthanasia (doctor assisted suicide) and teen age suicide. The issue of teenage suicide has raised to the forefront with the case of the teenager committing suicide in a Pampanga mall recently.B.Statistics of SuicideGelman (1994) cited in Smith (1992) reported that in the united States of America alone, about 30,000 people die from suicide every. Belluck (1998) cited in Smith (1992) reported that suicide ranked as the eighth leading cause of death among young people in the 15-24 age range. Among adolescents, there has been a marked increase in suicide rate since 1950. In addition, statistics reveal that for every successful suicide, there are 5-10 act suicides. Moreover, women are reported to make more suicide attempts than men, but four times as many men actually commit suicide. Suicide cases have been increasing in both the teenage and elderly age group.Furthermore, out of the estimated 30,000 people who actually committed suicide in the United States, 10-50 percent or about half suffer from major depression. For depressed people, the most dangerous time for suicide is when they are already to come out and recover the depression. When they are severely depressed, they are weakened and emotionally paralyzed so that they could not act on the impulse to kill themselves.Just like depression, the anxiety disorders also predispose people to suicide and place them at risk for untimely death. As stated earlier, a study conducted in Sweden found that of more than 3000 impatient who have beendiagnosed with anxiety disorders, about one third or 1000 deaths before age 70 were due to suicide. Aside from those suffering from depression and anxiety disorders, those suffering from schizoph renia and personality disorders also die from suicide. Suicide is the primary cause of death among schizophrenics who are often faced with alienation and homelessness. Those with personality disorders are also prone to suicide because of the chaos and social problems they encounter in life.C.Preventive MeasuresIn order to prevent individuals afflicted with depression, anxiety and other disorders from committing suicide, careful assessment of their status has to he made. Those good to them must recognize the level to depression or anxiety and the potential for suicide. Also, the presence of suicide ideation or thoughts of suicide have to be determined. The behaviors of these afflicted individuals have to be observed closely to agate line any clues to possible suicide. Most of the time, the person concern will talk about suicide plans.Hence, it is important that a anxious individuals from self-destructive acts. Care must be taken especially at times when the patients depression in lifting. Support and care must be established so that the afflicted persons will know that those around them are concerned about their welfare. At all times, the depressed and anxious must be encouraged to express their feelings and anger. Relevant questions must be asked such as Do you wish your well dead?, etc. All concerned should recognize such continued desire to commit suicide.More importantly, those around afflicted individuals should help increase their self-esteem by focusing on their strengths and success a structured schedule and involvement in activities with others should be helpful, as well as a structured plan to use to cope with future suicidal thoughts. The client should be helped to plan for continued professional help to relieve depression and anxiety in order to fully prevent suicide. In the case of teenagers, those educators, social workers, psychiatrists and others near them should help prevent teenage suicide by taking note of the risk factors and signs of su icide. These signs include changes in their behavior, anger,irritability, depression, sadness, withdrawal, changes in eating and sleeping habits, and absorption with death are the other signs of suicidal tendencies. Those young people who are contemplating suicide often report headaches, stomach aches and ailments and also talk about killing themselves.IV. ConclusionIn the end, public health workers and care givers could not be less vigilant in assessing suicide risks and in implementing measures to prevent suicide among others people suffering from depression, anxiety disorders and others disorders and severe stress. This is especially there in hospitals and health agencies. For example, a patient who had endurene mastectomy became quiet and withdrawn later on a mastectomy operation upon learning that confirmation of cure would take months, she refused to eat and eaten jumped out of a window.Those who are most prone to depression and anxiety leading to suicide are those with chro nic or incurable disease with loss or severe damage to body parts, and those with other concerns in addition to illness such as death of loved one, loss of property, divorce, separation and other overwhelming problems. The severity of depression and anxiety will depend on the evens catastrophe, or critical incident that has occurred. Whatever the case, the caregivers must always be aware of the damage from suicide.In conclusion, those concerned with individuals who are likely to commit suicide have to be aware of points at which to repeat suicide assessments. These individuals at a time prior/ before sustained therapentic response first 6 months after hospital release in presence of a new, painful, or disabling medical condition in the presence of anxiety, panic or substances abuse at testify of relapse or recurring symptoms at times of major stresses, losses, threats or shame inducing events with comorleid personality disorders or coming out of knifelike risk factors.Suicide, as what statistics has shown in recent years, have been increasing at a fat rate and is becoming more common especially among the young but, it could be prevented with prompt and appropriate intervention. Depressionand anxiety, the most common causes of suicide, when left unchecked and untreated could lead to suicide among teenagers and adults alike. Hence, it is important for all who come in contact with depressed and anxious individuals to encourage them to undergo therapy and treatment.