Media-Rich Research On Suicide And Depression Among Young Adults

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Suicide and Depression Among Young Adults
Adolescence is a period of biological, psychological, sociological and economic transitions from childhood to adulthood. This period of development is considered to be a time of formation of one’s self-identity and independence. Adolescents must navigate their way in society and face many challenges presented in terms of external looks, sexuality, social needs, romantic interests, substance abuse and education. Although this time period is supposed to be a “time of self discovery,” it is not as exciting as it may sound. Disorientation and uncertainty with one’s self is inevitable in this time of change. Thus, negative feelings of depression and thoughts of suicide may occur, especially in today’s media-rich …show more content…

There are many young adults that suffer eating disorders and depression due to the vast amounts of media they soak in everyday that tells them to look and behave a certain way to be “cool” or be accepted. Derenne and Beresin (2006) examined that exposure to mass media its correlation with eating disorders. They found that the constant exposure to commercials, TV, and movies, contributes to a negative outlook on teen bodies. This dissatisfaction of body image causes eating disorders, such as bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa. The media drives teens to be less confident, triggering a physiological response resulting in hunger (Masheb & Grilo, 2006). This in itself is a consequence of depression, and usually a common side effect associated with individuals suffering. Eating disorders also tend to give individual’s suicidal tendencies, therefore suicide rates are fairly high amongst patients with anorexia or bulimia nervosa (Derenne and Beresin, 2006). Similarly, binge eating disorder (BED), is the emotional overeating of food, is also affected by depression (Masheb & Grilo, 2006). Young adults are bombarded with both male and female models that create unreasonable expectations of exterior looks causing unhappiness of oneself, and idealization of other people. Idolization leads to comparing and jealousy, enhancing to the negative feelings already being experienced. When negative feelings begin to accumulate, there is more food intake to swallow the pain, thus causing obesity. A difference in terms of gender prevalence for BED, it is actually equal for both sexes (Masheb & Grilo, 2006) where as bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa is more popular among females (Strober et al,

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