Ted Talk: Depression

Running head: ESSAY
Ted Talk: Depression
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

ESSAY1
Introduction- Depression, also referred to as major depressive disorder (MDD) refers
to a mental condition that is characterized by the presence of persistent low mood during
most circumstances and is generally accompanied by signs and symptoms of poor self-
esteem, loss of interest, false beliefs, and social isolation (Monroe, and Samantha).
Depression has also been identified as a global crisis in recent years, and requires immediate
medical attention. This essay will elaborate on the Ted Talk video and will also correlate with
new understandings and knowledge.
Discussion- On analyzing the talk, the overall impression can be associated with the
fact that the speaker Andrew Solomon tried to increase awareness and understanding of the
audience with the mental disorder, and also aimed to familiarize them with the effects of
depression on the life of the affected people, and the challenges associated with its treatment
(Solomon). Although depression affected more than 216 million individuals in the year 2015,
the condition is still not completely understood by all people (Vos). Hence, the primary aim
of the speaker was to share his experiences of living with depressive disorder, with the
objective of increasing understanding about mental wellbeing and health and breaking
stereotypes. Although I had a sound understanding of the fact that depression increases
suicidal thoughts and also creates a negative impact on the sense of health and wellbeing, the
talk provided an exhaustive information on the different treatment modalities that are
generally implemented upon depression patients. I was also not aware of the presence of
suicidal ideations among depression patients. The talk was most interesting when Solomon
talked about the lived experiences, which is important for mental health since incorporation
of the feelings and experiences of people who have endured a mental illness facilitates
enhancement of health outcomes for patients facing similar situation (Tanner).
One colleague of mine had suffered from depression, following the sudden demise of
her parents. This talk helped in reinforcing the fact that such patients generally remain