Sanjana's Books

Depression  Depression is defined as a chronic disorder that lasts for at least two consecutive weeks and considerably impedes one’s abilities to live a normal life. Common symptoms include difficulties in interpersonal relationships, academic and social life, as well as increased alcohol and substance abuse. Depressed teenagers often have low self-esteem, may feel unworthy and unloved. Since it is a mental illness, depression is often difficult to diagnose or recognize. However, depression affects almost 10% of adults in the US. It is also one of the most common psychological problems affecting adolescents with recurrence rates of almost 70%. In 2017, 3.2 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 in the United States had at least one major depressive episode. (NIMH, Major Depression) Suicide  Depression is commonly linked with the increased risk of teenage suicide. Suicide is defined as “death caused by self-directed injurious behavior with intent to die as a result of the be...

       Depression is defined as a chronic disorder that lasts for at least two consecutive weeks and considerably impedes one’s abilities to live a normal life. Common symptoms include difficulties in interpersonal relationships, academic and social life, as well as increased alcohol and substance abuse. Since it is a mental illness, depression is often difficult to diagnose or recognize. However, depression affects almost 10% of adults in the US. It is also one of the most common psychological problems affecting adolescents with recurrence rates of almost 70%. A majority of health care costs incurred by adolescents are attributed to depression, which emphasizes the prevalence of this condition.        Depression is commonly linked with the increased risk of teenage suicide. Suicide is commonly defined as an attempt to end one’s life and has been defined as the third largest cause of death amongst adolescents, by the World Health Organization an...

  Impact of Superstition on Society             There are tonnes of examples that exist in the modern world indicating the obeisance of illogical superstitions such as wearing charms for good luck, avoiding a black cat, or not walking under a ladder. If statistics are to be believed, “80% of high-rise buildings all over the world lack a 13th floor… some hotels and hospitals often choose not to have a room with the number 13 … (and) 70% of U.S. students rely on good luck charms for better academic performance” (Sandoui, 2013). It has also been observed that airlines such as Air France and Lufthansa, do not have a 13th row. Lufthansa also has no 17th row – because in some countries – such as Italy and Brazil – the typical unlucky number is 17 (Dagnall and Drinkwater, 2018). Some traditions   may be as crazy as a study that observed a practice in Taiwan where shoppers buy more items, just to ensure that the number of items ...

Superstitions are scientifically unexplained beliefs in some supernatural or higher power. Merriam Webster Dictionary defines it as “a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation”. These beliefs may range from faith in a supreme higher being guiding everyone’s destinies to some mystical, dark energy driving people to commit inhumane actions. Superstitions encompass thoughts about omens, spells, charms, ghosts, astrology, and the like (Liveaboutdotcom, What is Superstition?).   Statistics             A poll conducted by Gallup News in September 1996, suggested: “25% of Americans acknowledged that they were "very" (1%) or "somewhat" (24%) superstitious, up from 18% who said that in 1990. The poll also shows that younger people tend to be more superstitious than older people. Over a third (35%) of those under the age of 30 said they were...

  Every human culture in society has its own set of superstitions and blind beliefs. Some may be simply a way to teach children good habits and differentiate between right and wrong, whereas some may be to prevent entire communities to undertake certain actions. Superstitions not only establish certain rules and norms of a particular culture but also show hope of rewards in exchange for good behavior and determine specific punishments for bad behavior. Humans are always in search of an explanation and when science does not have one, superstitions jump in. Superstitions may not always be correct or factually accurate, yet they are a level or expression of truth that is forwarded throughout generations until a more pragmatic answer can be provided to a new generation’s questions. However, such illogical thought processes discourage rational thinking – an effect that is not acceptable or appreciated in today’s generations. These articles talk about how superstitions have been inco...

COVID 19 has not been the best situation for the world and it has definitely affected everything - from economy and globalization on the large scale to our own personal and professional lives. However, amidst all the dilemma and delusion, it wouldn't be wrong to say that the circumstances have made us all realise that there is in all reality something larger than us humans, something that has the power to control all our lives, something that can override the greatest of man's advancement in science and technology. Everyone may have different religious beliefs and some may just call it is the power of nature. However, whatever it may be labelled, the important point is that this power does exist and today, I feel it has manifested itself to prove its existence to humanity. It has brought everyone down to their knees. One single microbe had the potential to shut the whole world down and not even the greatest minds on earth could do anything to bring an end to this global pandem...