Psychotic Depression Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Psychotic Depression Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment Depression Types Print An Overview of Psychotic Depression By Nancy Schimelpfening Nancy Schimelpfening, MS is the administrator for the non-profit depression support group Depression Sanctuary. Nancy has a lifetime of experience with depression, experiencing firsthand how devastating this illness can be. Learn about our editorial policy Nancy Schimelpfening Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD on January 28, 2020 twitter linkedin Daniel B. Block, MD, is an award-winning, board-certified psychiatrist who operates a private practice in Pennsylvania. Learn about our Medical Review Board Daniel B. Block, MD Updated on February 10, 2020 Depression Overview Types Symptoms Causes & Risk Factors Diagnosis Treatment Coping ADA & Your Rights Depression in Kids Tom Merton / Getty Images In This Article Table of Contents Expand Prevalence and Risk Factors Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Coping View All Some people with severe depression  also experience psychosis in addition to the usual symptoms of depression, such as depressed mood, appetite changes, and loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed. Psychosis is a condition in which a person begins to see and/or hear things that arent really there (hallucinations) or experience false ideas about reality (delusions). There may also be disorganized or disordered thinking. When psychosis occurs alongside depression, it is called psychotic depression.?? Prevalence and Risk Factors It is estimated that about 3% to 11% of all people will experience severe depression during their lifetime. Of those who experience severe clinical depression, about 14.7% to 18.5% will develop depression with psychotic features.?? This type of depression also appears to become more common as people age. It is, however, impossible to predict who exactly might be prone to psychotic depression, as not enough is known about the conditions causes. In addition, the definitions and measurement tools for depression are always changing, meaning that these statistics are always shifting. From what we know now, some of the factors that may make you more prone to depression, in general, include:?? Having a parent or sibling with depression. A propensity toward depression, especially severe depression, tends to run in families. If you have a parent or sibling who has had depression, you are more likely to develop it yourself.Being a woman. Women are twice as likely as men to develop depression; about two-thirds of those who develop severe depression are women.Having a difficult childhood. People who experienced adversity as children are more predisposed to depression. Symptoms A person with psychotic depression will, first of all, experience a combination of depression symptoms, potentially including: Depressed moodDiminished interest or pleasure in activities previously enjoyedSignificant changes in weight and appetiteSleep difficultiesFatigue or lack of energyFeelings of worthlessness or guiltInability to concentrateThoughts of death or suicide In addition to the above symptoms, people with psychotic depression will also experience delusions and/or hallucinations. People with other mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, may also experience psychosis.?? In the cases of psychotic depression, the hallucinations and delusions that people experience are depressive and tend to focus on themes of hopelessness and failure. Psychosis associated with schizophrenia, however, features impossible or bizarre themes that are disjointed and not connected to mood or affective states.   Psychosis Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments Causes One theory is that a particular combination of genes must be inherited in order for a person to develop psychotic depression. Certain genes might be responsible for depression symptoms while others might be responsible for the psychotic symptoms, making it possible for an individual to inherit a genetic vulnerability to depression, psychosis, or both. This theory would explain why not all people with depression develop psychosis. Another theory is that high levels of the stress hormone cortisol could be involved. High levels of cortisol are often found in people with depression.?? Diagnosis At present, psychotic depression is not considered a separate illness. Instead, it is considered to be a sub-type of major depressive disorder. In order to be diagnosed with psychotic depression, officially known as major depressive disorder with psychotic features, a person must first meet the criteria set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders for major depressive disorder. In addition, the person must exhibit signs of psychosis, such as hallucinations and delusions. The diagnosis of psychotic depression usually involves a medical history. Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and family history. An evaluation by a physician might also include testing to rule out other potential causes of the patients psychotic symptoms, such as drugs, another medical condition, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder.?? While the DSM-5 lists psychotic depression as a subtype of major depression, it does not indicate that this type of depression is any more severe than other subtypes. The International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), on the other hand, classifies psychotic depression as the most severe form of major depressive disorder.   In order to be diagnosed with major depressive disorder with psychotic features, you must experience at least five depressive symptoms for a minimum of two weeks. Such symptoms include low mood, loss of pleasure or interest, irritability, appetite changes, and changes in sleep.   A diagnosis of psychotic depression also includes experiencing symptoms of psychosis, such as paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions, in addition to the depressive symptoms. Treatment Psychotic depression is usually treated in a hospital, using antidepressant and antipsychotic medications. Antidepressants and antipsychotics are usually considered a first-line treatment. Common choices include serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Research has found that the combination of antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs is more effective than using either medication on its own.?? When depression symptoms are severe or when first-line options are ineffective, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be used to bring about rapid relief. Ongoing treatment will include medications to prevent a recurrence of symptoms. Find Support With the 7 Best Online Help Resources for Depression Coping Psychosis can make functioning difficult since people experience distortions in reality. Because psychotic symptoms can increase the risk of accidental or intentional self-harm, it is important to receive appropriate treatment from a qualified health professional. Prognosis can depend on how soon someone receives treatment for psychotic depression. The longer it takes for treatment, the more likely it is that an individual may need emergency medical services.   One study found that 86% of people with first-episode psychotic depression achieve syndromal recovery, but only 35% recovered functionally. A large number of individuals (41%) had their diagnosis changed to bipolar disorder or a schizoaffective disorder.??   Researchers suggest that psychotic depression is understudied, underdiagnosed, and undertreated.?? Combination medication treatments and ECT have been shown to be effective, but further research is needed to establish how long antipsychotic medications need to be taken. The best way to cope is to talk to your doctor if you have symptoms of depression or suspect that you may be experiencing symptoms of psychosis. Once you have been treated and stabilized, be sure to stick to your doctors advice and continue taking your medication in order to prevent future relapse. A Word From Verywell Psychotic depression can be frightening, but effective treatments are available. Fortunately, the prognosis for recovery is good with appropriate treatment. With treatment, you can find relief from symptoms of depression and psychosis and feel more like your regular self. If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or are considering harming yourself, call 911 immediately or contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. How to Help Someone With Depression

Organizational Behavior Analysis - 4231 Words

Introduction Organizational behavior is a field of studies that aims to conjoin the substance of other sciences that deal with behavioral matters, such as anthropology, psychology and sociology, in order to use it to improve management theories and managerial strategies. An organization is a number of people or groups all working together in a structured mechanism to achieve one ore more goals. Organizational behavior then, comes in to investigate on how organizations affect individuals and the other way around (Duncan, 1978). Although the first questions on how the worker is being affected by his job were raised in the ‘30s (Brief and Weiss, 2002), with researches making their first steps on imprinting that phenomenon (Fisher and†¦show more content†¦The company The organization that provided the information for this research is a company that bestirs itself in the consumer goods industry, merchandising toys and seasonal products. The company is operating since 1982 in Athens, Greece, in the area of Acharnai. ‘V. Christakopoulos S.A.’ runs a business of 17 employees, a number that goes up to 22, adding seasonal personnel. Their mission, according to the managing director, is â€Å"to become the leading plush toy manufacturer in Europe by developing innovated, safe and value for money products†. Mr. Vassilis Christakopoulos also stated that the company’s strategic plans are â€Å"to become the key supplier of big European retailers by capitalizing on the company’s current customer base†, to â€Å"extend our product line by increasing our license agreements† and to â€Å"enhance the popularity of the ‘Friendlies Plush’ brand to the European markets†. In 2010 they received the â€Å"Strongest Companies in Greece† certificate by ICAP group. Communication Organizational communication began to arise in industrial businesses in the 20th century, analyzing the communication channels and the ways that information flows inside an organization (Cheney, 2007). Nowadays, every kind of business activity bears upon communication and functionality depends on competency of managers and employees to communicate efficaciously (Clausen,Show MoreRelatedORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS2772 Words   |  12 Pagesï » ¿Running head: ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS FOR WEEK -6 FINAL Organizational Behavior Analysis for Week -6 Final Ashford University Organizational Behavior BUS 610 December 22, 2013 Organizational Behavior Analysis for Week -6 Final I will be talking about my current job as a Child Protective Investigator (CPI) also known as Child Protective Services (or CPS). This is the governmental agency that is tasked with investigating child abuse or neglect. The primary concernRead MoreOrganizational Behavior Analysis2435 Words   |  10 PagesOrganizational Behavior Analysis By Ron Bennett BUS610: Organizational Behavior Instructor:   Magdy  Hussein May 19, 2014 Organizational behaviors are the actions and attitudes of individuals and groups toward one another and toward the organization as a whole, and its effect on the organization’s functioning and performance. Organizational studies comprise the study of organizations form multiple perspectives, methods, and levels of analysis. Many factors come into play whenever people interactRead MoreOrganizational Behavior : Organization Behavior Analysis2021 Words   |  9 Pages Organizational Behavior Analysis BUS610: Organizational Behavior (NAB1431A) Instructor: Dr. Roberto Coto Angela Montgomery September 8, 2014 Organizational Behavior Analysis Abstract Organization behavior analysis is the study of information regarding an organization and its individual or group of people with their actions and performances within an organization. It is most important key feature which should be used to maintain and enhance interaction levels betweenRead MoreOrganizational Behavior And Leadership Analysis Essay924 Words   |  4 PagesOrganizational Behavior and Leadership Analysis Introduction Leadership and organizational behavior are structured elements of life that give meaning to factors such as motivation and effort. Leadership is not easily understood and as such it is taken to mean different things by different people. 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The workplace environmentRead MoreOrganizational Behavior And Contemporary Strategy Analysis823 Words   |  4 PagesAs discussed by Grant and Jennings in Organizational Behavior an d Contemporary strategy analysis a true innovation in the business is more than what’s traditionally defined as innovation. The traditional definition of innovation is defined â€Å"as the adoption of an idea or behavior that is new to the adopting organization’s industry, market, or its external/internal environment.† When in reality innovation in the work place requires implementation and it is much more than a creative idea. Real innovationRead MoreOrganizational Behavior Analysis of Pluto Telecommunications1883 Words   |  8 PagesOrganizational Behavior Analysis of Pluto Telecommunications Introduction The telecommunications industry has experienced a number of transformations and restructurings in recent years, and the companies that have survived are faced with a broad range of challenges in their operating environments today. Although every telecommunications corporation is unique in some way, and every operating environment is likewise different, it is possible to discern some organizational behaviors from recent reportsRead MoreOrganizational Behavior Analysis Of Davita Dialysis Center1614 Words   |  7 PagesOrganizational Behavior Analysis Brief Description and History of the Organization DaVita Dialysis Center was founded in 1999, with the goal to develop programs to enrich lives. It was originally called Total Renal Care (TRC), but during its restructure it was renamed with the term, DaVita, Italian for â€Å"giving life.† CEO, Kent Thiry saved the company from the brink of bankruptcy through his leadership style. The corporate headquarters were originally in El Segundo, California, but were moved to

Marketing, Management And Finance - 1176 Words

In the very complicated world of business there are three main things you need to focus on, Marketing, Management and Finance. Now to get more in depth on marketing. Marketing is a group of activities designed to expedite transactions by creating, distributing, pricing, and promoting goods, services, and ideas to create exchanges that satisfy individual and organizational goals. Marketing ensures that the products consumers want to buy are available at a price they are willing to pay and that the consumers are provided with information about the product features and availability. Marketing is very important, all organizations of all sizes use it. There are some basic principles to marketing. There is the nature of marketing, the strategies of marketing, the buying behavior, and the impact of the environment on marketing. Let’s look more closely at these basic principals of marketing. The nature of marketing is a very important basic principle when it comes to marketing in a bu siness. The activities that come from marketing create value by allowing individuals and organizations to obtain what they need. You need to know what the customers want and how to satisfy them with your goods or services. They need to be conveniently available, competitively priced, and uniquely promoted. To a business, marketing is an important part of their strategy. Marketing however is not manipulating your customers into buying products they don t want, so never think that. It’s about theShow MoreRelatedAccounting, Finance, Marketing, And Business Management1487 Words   |  6 PagesWe investigated the different industries in business and the different skills associated with these industries. We decided to research accounting, finance, marketing, and business management. Each group member conducted an interview with an employee who had experience in the specific industry. 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It was in 2002 Free Essays

My Mom was driving me and my sister to my grandfathers house, it was a bit foggy, I must have been like 500 feet from the house when I was hit. You see, there is a main road the has a small gravel road come off of it, my Mom turned the car to branch off onto the gravel road, when a drunk driving a volunteer fire truck slammed into the side of our van – the side I was sitting in. Our van flipped into a ditch on the side of the road, and the truck was hardly damaged, I guess the gate openers on the front of the tuck helped. We will write a custom essay sample on It was in 2002 or any similar topic only for you Order Now Mom started getting really scared that the van would blow up. Se pushed herself out of the car, and got my sister and I out of the car. My sister had a gashed knee, and I had a cut neck and a broken clavicle. The owner of the house we crashed in front of must have heard the accident and helped, I remember someone put us on their flatbed and helped get the broken glass off of me and my sister. I’m sure it wasn’t the volunteer firefighter, he was busy fiddling with our van. A cop showed up, then an ambulance, then a tow truck. Now here’s the sick part, the cop saw the volunteer firefighter go in our van and turn off the lights, then he walked over to the cop and tried to tell him that our lights were not on when we had the accident- he was obviously drunk. The firefighter was taken to the police station, and he was somehow let go. I can’t remember very well but he was arrested a year later for another drunk driving thing, I heard this from the cop, he was our friend. But yeah, that’s my story, if you want to hear more of what happened, um do something. I will be checking in forever so yeah. Bye. How to cite It was in 2002, Papers

The Great Gatsby Book Report Essays - The Great Gatsby,

The Great Gatsby Book Report The Great Gatsby Book Report Summary At the onset of this book, the reader is introduced to the narrator, Nick Carraway, who relates the past happenings that construct the story of Jay Gatsby and Nick during the summer of 1922. After fighting in World War I, or the Great War as Nick called it, Nick left his prominent family in the West of America for the North where he intended to learn the bond business. Nick was originally supposed to share a house in West Egg near New York City with an associate of his, but the man backed out and so Nick lived with only a Finnish cook. Right next door, Gatsby lived in a glorious mansion with expansive gardens and a marble swimming pool, among other luxuries. Yet Nick did not even hear about Gatsby until he went to visit his distant family at East Egg next to West Egg. Daisy was Nick's second cousin once removed, and Tom Buchanan was Daisy's hulking brute of a husband and classmate of Nick's from college. Jordan Baker, a prominent tennis player of the time, was staying with Daisy and Tom. As they sat down and chatted, it was Jordan who mentioned Gatsby, saying that she had been to one of his extravagant parties that he held every weekend. The four sat down to dinner when Tom received a phone call, which Daisy suspected to be from Tom's mistress. Afterwards, Daisy and Nick talked and Jordan and Tom went out to walk about the grounds. Daisy talked about her little daughter and how when she was born Tom was not even there and she had wished out loud that she would be a fool, for that was the only way she could ever be happy. The four met again at the house and then Jordan went to bed and Nick went home. In the next chapter, the reader is introduced the bleak stretch of land between New York City and West Egg. It was there that Nick first met Tom's mistress. Nick and Tom were taking the train into New York City one Saturday when Tom signaled to Nick that they were going to get off the train halfway to their destination in what seemed to be the middle of nowhere. Tom walked into an auto garage where he talked with a man named George Wilson, who asked about a car Tom was supposed to sell him. Wilson's wife, Myrtle, emerged from the upstairs of the garage. When Wilson went off to his office for a moment, Tom quickly told Myrtle that he wanted to see her and to take the next train into New York. They arranged where they would meet quickly and moved away from each other before Wilson returned. Myrtle told Wilson that she was going to go visit her sister in New York and boarded the same train as Tom and Nick, but in a different car. They met again in New York and took a taxi to the apartment that Tom had purchased for the two of them. Myrtle called her sister Catherine and the McKees that she and Tom were friends with on the phone and the six of them sat around in the apartment and got exceptionally drunk once they arrived. During this time, Nick learned about Tom and Myrtle, as well as the fact that neither of them could stand their spouse. Nick could hardly remember what had gone on that night at the apartment and the next thing he knew, he was in Penn Station waiting for the four o' clock train to go home. Every weekend, Nick's next door neighbor Gatsby had extravagant parties at his house. One Saturday morning, Gatsby's butler came to Nick's house and invited him to the party that was to be held that evening. Nick showed up that night, not knowing a soul there, and not even knowing what the host himself looked like. He soon found Jordan, and spent the rest of the evening with her. Nick found himself speaking with a man he recognized from the war. Nick told him that he did not even know who the host was, but that he had just been invited by him. The man looked puzzled and then told Nick that he was Gatsby. Both were embarrassed and apologized to each other. At that moment, a butler appeared and told Gatsby of a phone call that he had to attend to. Gatsby excused himself and said that he would talk to Nick later

Stone Boiling is an Ancient Cooking Method

Stone Boiling is an Ancient Cooking Method Stone boiling is an ancient cooking technique to heat food with directly exposing it to flame, reducing the likelihood of burning, and allowing the construction of stews and soups. The old story about Stone Soup, in which a glorious stew is created by placing stones in hot water and inviting guests to contribute vegetables and bones, may have its roots in ancient stone-boiling.   How to Boil Stones Stone boiling involves placing stones into or next to a hearth or other heat source until the stones are hot. Once they have achieved an optimal temperature, the stones are quickly placed into a ceramic pot, lined basket or other vessel holding water or liquid or semi-liquid food. The hot stones then transfer the heat to the food. To maintain a continued boiling or simmering temperature, the cook simply adds more, carefully timed, heated rocks. Boiling stones typically range in size between large cobbles and small boulders, and should be of a type of stone that is resistant to flaking and splintering when heated. The technology involves a considerable amount of labor, including finding and carrying an adequate number of appropriately sized stones and building a large enough fire to transfer sufficient heat to the stones. Invention Direct evidence for using stones to heat liquid is a little hard to come by: hearths by definition generally have rocks in them (called generally fire-cracked rock), and identifying whether the stones have been used to heat liquid is difficult at best. The earliest evidence that scholars have suggested for the use of fire dates to ~790,000 years ago, and clear evidence for soup making is not present at such sites: it is possible, perhaps likely, that fire was first used to provide warmth and light, rather than cooking. The first true, purpose-built hearths associated with cooked food date to the Middle Paleolithic (ca. 125,000 years ago). And the earliest example of hearths filled with heat-fractured round river cobbles come from the Upper Paleolithic site of Abri Pataud in the Dordogne valley of France, about 32,000 years ago. Whether those cobbles were used to cook with is probably speculation, but definitely a possibility. According to a comparative ethnography study conducted by American anthropologist Kit Nelson, stone boiling is used most frequently by people who live ​in the temperate zones on earth, between 41 and 68 degrees latitude. All kinds of cooking methods are familiar to most people, but in general, tropical cultures more often use roasting or steaming; arctic cultures rely on direct-fire heating; and in the boreal mid-latitudes, stone boiling is most common. Why Boil Stones? American archaeologist Alston Thoms has argued that people use stone boiling when they dont have access to easily cooked foods, such as lean meat that can be direct-cooked over a flame. He indicates support for this argument by showing that the first North American hunter-gatherers didnt use stone boiling intensively until about 4,000 years  ago when agriculture became a dominant subsistence strategy. Stone boiling might be considered evidence of the invention of stews or soups. Pottery made that possible. Nelson points out that stone boiling requires a container and a stored liquid; stone boiling involves the process of heating liquids without the dangers of burning a basket or the contents of a bowl by direct exposure to fire. And, domestic grains such as maize in North America and millet elsewhere require more processing, in general, to be edible. Any connection between boiling stones and the ancient story called Stone Soup is sheer speculation. The story involves a stranger coming to a village, building a hearth and placing a pot of water over it. She puts in stones and invites others to taste the stone soup. The stranger invites others to add an ingredient, and pretty soon, Stone Soup is a collaborative meal full of tasty things. The Benefits of Limestone Cookery A recent experimental study based on assumptions about American southwestern Basketmaker II (200–400 CE) stone boiling used local limestone rocks as heating elements in baskets to cook maize. Basketmaker societies did not have pottery containers until after the introduction of beans: but corn was an important part of the diet, and hot stone cookery is believed to have been the primary method of preparing maize. U.S. archaeologist Emily Ellwood and colleagues adding heated limestone to water, raising the pH of ​the  water to 11.4–11.6 at temperatures between 300–600 degrees centigrade, and higher yet over longer periods and at higher temperatures. When historical varieties of maize were cooked in the water, chemical lime leached from the stones broke down the corn and increased the availability of digestible proteins. Identifying Stone Boiling Tools Hearths at many prehistoric archaeological sites have a preponderance of fire-cracked rock, and establishing evidence that some were used in stone boiling has been tested by American archaeologist Fernanda Neubauer. Her experiments found that the most common fracture on stone boiled rocks are contraction-fractures, which exhibit irregular crenulated, wavy, or jagged cracks on the breakage faces and a rough and undulating interior surface. She also found that repeated heating and cooling eventually fractures the cobbles into pieces too small to use depending on the raw material and that the repetition also can cause fine crazing of the rock surfaces. Evidence such as that described by Neubauer has been found in Spain and China by about 12,000–15,000 years ago, suggesting the technique was well known by the end of the last Ice Age. Selected Sources Ellwood, Emily C., et al. Stone-Boiling Maize with Limestone: Experimental Results and Implications for Nutrition among SE Utah Preceramic Groups. Journal of Archaeological Science 40.1 (2013): 35-44. Print.Gao, Xing, et al. The Discovery of Late Paleolithic Boiling Stones at SDG 12, North China. Quaternary International 347 (2014): 91-96. Print.Nakazawa, Yuichi, et al. On Stone-Boiling Technology in the Upper Paleolithic: Behavioral Implications from an Early Magdalenian Hearth in El Mirà ³n Cave, Cantabria, Spain. Journal of Archaeological Science 36.3 (2009): 684-93. Print.Nelson, Kit. Environment, Cooking Strategies and Containers. Journal of Anthropological Archaeology 29.2 (2010): 238-47. Print.Neubauer, Fernanda. Use-Alteration Analysis of Fire-Cracked Rocks. American Antiquity 83.4 (2018): 681-700. Print.Short, Laura, et al. Facile Residue Analysis of Recent and Prehistoric Cook Stones Using Handheld Raman Spectrometry. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy 46.1 (2015): 126-32. Prin t. Thoms, Alston V. Rocks of Ages: Propagation of Hot-Rock Cookery in Western North America. Journal of Archaeological Science 36.3 (2009): 573-91. Print.

How to Write White Papers People Actually Want to Read (Free Template)

How to Write White Papers People Actually Want to Read (Free Template) What’s the first thing that enters your mind when you hear â€Å"white paper†? If you’ve never written one before (or work at Dunder Mifflin), you might think plain printer paper.   And that’s †¦ well, technically, that’s accurate. The white papers we’ll be talking about today are different. These research-based reports (typically longer than a blog post but shorter than an ebook) are a staple content format for marketers. When they’re well-written, they’re powerful tools for solving problems, establishing authority, and generating leads. However, they’ve developed a poor reputation in some marketing circles. That’s because too many white papers are thoughtlessly churned out with an assembly-line mentality. Ever download something called a â€Å"white paper† that was actually a thin and poorly-disguised sales brochure? A lot of us have. In this post, youll learn how to write white papers that don’t suck. Instead of cranking out crap to meet ill-conceived content quotas, it will walk through how to plan, write, format, and promote quality white papers. Ones that actually get read, smash your business objectives, and make you a star for your organization. Plus, its based 100% on first-hand experience. How to Write White Papers People Actually Want to Read Table of Contents So, What Are White Papers, Exactly? Examples of Real-Life White Papers The White Paper Template Getting Started Writing Your White Paper Outline Research How to Write Your White Paper How to Format White Papers the Best Way Edit. Edit. Edit. Handing Off For Design Promotion So, What Are White Papers, Exactly? A white paper is a document that argues a specific position or solves a problem for its audience. They first originated as a type of official government document. According to Purdue Owl: Typically, the purpose of a white paper is to advocate that a certain position is the best way to go or that a certain solution is best for a particular problem. When it is used for commercial purposes, it could influence the decision-making processes of current and prospective customers. 7 Examples of Actual White Papers That explains that much. But, what does a white paper usually look like? Generally, they’re formatted as PDFs and look somewhat similar to an ebook or typical research report. Here are some samples: How to Win at Local SEO (Sundog Interactive you might recognize the author) LinkedIn Marketing Resources (a library of white papers) Citation Cleanup: Assessing the Damage, Estimating Your Project Timeline (Moz) Microsoft AI Platform: Build Intelligent Software (Microsoft) Google Security White Paper (Google) Coffee in America (Experian) Apple ProRes (Apple) Straight-forward stuff so far. DID YOU KNOW: You can manage marketing projects (including white paper development), plan deadlines, and schedule social promotion all on one marketing calendar with ? See how it works. This White Paper Template + Blog Post = Your Success In this post, well dig into the nuts and bolts of writing effective white papers. But first, be sure to grab your free white paper template (Word format). Then, use it to put all the advice in this post into practice.So, You’re Going to Write a White Paper. How Do You Get Started? Before you jump into writing, you have some planning to do. Sure, this takes time off from actually producing the work. It’s necessary though to ensure what you write is purposeful and effective. First Things First: White Paper Ideation Let’s figure out what you’re going to write about. This involves several steps. Figure Out Who You’re Writing For Who’s going to read your white paper? Ideally, your organization or agency should have an idea who your target audiences and customers are. If not, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide that might help. Identify Problems You Can Solve For Them Once you’ve identified your audience, think about what kinds of information they need from you. Secondarily, you might also tie that back into your own products or services. That sets you up at the solution to that problem. Generate Ideas When you know what problems to solve, you’ve got a purpose for your white paper. The next challenge, then, is to decide which ones to write about, and from which angle. A simple brainstorming session can help with this. Or, start by asking a few questions: Which problems are top priority?  Consider starting with ones that are most pressing or timely. Which problems can I tie back into my business?  Say your organization wants to be known as an authority on an area you’re new to. Or, maybe you have a new product or service offering coming out, and want to position yourself as the best option. Find ideas that align your goals with your audience’s. What are we experts on? If you have deep knowledge or expertise on an area you’re known for, a white paper can help reinforce that perception. Recommended Reading: The Best 30-Minute Content Marketing Brainstorming Process Determine If A White Paper Is Really the Best Content Format Before you get too far along, you might decide a different format would work better to reach your audience and achieve your goals. Follow this graphic to help decide if writing a white paper is the best approach: Next, Write Your Outline White papers are usually fairly long. The same outlining process you’d use for a shorter piece, like a blog post, will work here. You might need to make it a bit longer or more detailed, though, to avoid getting lost in your thoughts partway through. An effective white paper outline should include: Headline or working title: You don’t have to settle on a headline or title right away, but start with a working version that describes your topic. Our Headline Analyzer  can help. An executive summary: This is essentially a brief (200 words or so) description of what your white paper will be about. Think of it like a short pitch for why someone should write what you’re about to write. Your introduction: Which points will you touch on in your intro? These are what you’ll expand on in the body of your white paper. Section sub-headings: Like your headline, these don’t need to be final yet. But, you should have a clear idea of what you’ll discuss in each section. If your headline is the core problem you’ll solve, consider each sub-heading a sub-point or step toward resolving it. Beneath each sub-heading, include further bullet points clarifying exactly what you’ll write about. This is all about knowing what you want to say before you try to say it. Sidebars: White papers often include sidebars or breakout boxes with additional information or data tables, like what you’d find in a magazine. In each section, list any possible sidebar ideas you might have. This could include any research or data you’ll need to find (more on this in a bit). Conclusion: Summarize your key takeaways. If it’s appropriate, you might consider adding a call-to-action here, too. Recommended Reading: How to Write a Call to Action In a Template With 6 Examples Here’s what a hypothetical outline might look like: Do Your Research Good white papers are fact-based and research-driven. You’re not here to throw your opinions out to the world without data to back them up. Depending on what you’re covering, you might get by with nothing more than Google and your company’s own insights. If you want to take things to the next level, though, you’ll need to do deeper research. Let’s take a dive. Dig Into Research Reports Industry research reports can provide an excellent data-backed foundation for your content. Seek out research groups (such as Forrester) or professional organizations that produce original research. Then, cite relevant stats and findings where appropriate. Check Out Wolfram Alpha Wolfram Alpha  calls itself a â€Å"computational knowledge engine.† What does that mean? It’s a search engine for facts and data with calculation functionality built in. It’s an extremely robust and powerful tool for research. Check out some of these top-level categories for things it can do: While we can’t go too far in-depth on how to use Wolfram Alpha here, they have plenty of help guides and resources  to get you on your way. Make Use of Government Websites Depending on your industry, there are several government websites that might be helpful. Here’s a handful to consider: U.S. Small Business Administration American Fact Finder Bureau of Labor Statistics Do Your Own Original Research This is the most difficult option, but it can provide the most valuable results. If you have access to publically-available information, so does your competition. Original research you produced yourself, however, is uniquely powerful. Here are just a few benefits to original research: It establishes you and your organization as an authoritative source. Wouldn’t it be awesome if your white paper became a highly-linked source of information for others? It gives you something no one else has. And that would make your white paper much more valuable than something anyone could have slapped together spending an afternoon with Google. You’ll learn more about your audience and industry. Last year, we did a survey of our blog audience. We were then able to turn our findings into a 5,000+ word blog post. That’s long enough that it could have been a white paper, had we decided to publish it as one. It taught us a lot about our audience, too, including things we wouldn’t have learned otherwise. If you have the time and resources to do your own research study, Andy Crestodina of Orbit Media Studios has a fantastic guide to get you started. Recommended Listening: How to Boost Your Results With Original Research As A Marketing Tactic With Andy Crestodina From Orbit Media Studios [015] Now You're Ready to Format and Write This White Paper We’ve done a lot of things so far. Some of it even involved a little bit of writing. Mostly, though, we’ve spent our time getting ready to write. Writing a white paper isn’t easy. You’re now staring down an intense and involved project. If you’re writing in an industry where you’re not a subject matter expert, then your preparation (outlining, researching, and working with internal or client SMEs) is going to be even more important. You’ve got this, though. Flex those fingers, tap into your inner Hemingway, and let’s knock this thing out. Tap into your inner Hemingway and knock out an awesome white paper.How Do White Papers Differ From Writing Other Types of Content? We’ve touched on this a little earlier, but it’s worth repeating here. While there are some similarities, writing a white paper isn’t quite like writing a blog post, case study, research report, grocery list, or †¦ well, you get the point. It’s decidedly it’s own animal and should be treated as such. White papers should be: Professional in tone: This is formal, almost academic-style writing. Narrowly-focused: Pick one topic and explore it thoroughly. Fact-based:  Unverified claims don’t belong here. Data-backed: You don’t have to like math, but you have to love what numbers can do to make your writing stronger. Writing Your Title Or Headline Your headline is the first thing that will sell your white paper to your audience. You want to write something that conveys clear value up front and gets them to click. However, you also want to avoid anything that could be perceived as click bait, or overly casual. So, your headline should hit each of the following checkboxes: Establish a clear benefit to your reader: Why should they care? What’s in it for them to read past your title page? Including interesting stats or a strong action verb can help. Sound professional: Even if your blog or social media content is fun and light-hearted, a white paper should strike a professional tone. It doesn’t need to be sterile and lifeless, per se, but use your best judgment here. Set realistic expectations for your reader: If your headline reads, â€Å"Ten Ways Shipping Companies Can Deliver Faster Shipments,† you better go into detail on all ten tactics. You’d be surprised how many â€Å"white papers† throw a paragraph of text surrounded by images onto a page and call it good. If you’re going to create crap, just say up front you’re creating crap. Or better yet, don’t write your white paper at all. Commit to quality or stay home. Commit to quality or stay home.Let’s take a look at five hypothetical headline examples you can follow: How SaaS Companies Can Onboard 53% More Customers In 2017 Why Are Content Calendars Important For Marketing Teams 7 Ways Small Businesses Can Compete With Enterprise Corporations Why Companies Should Use Agile Project Management How Nonprofits Can Do Better Fundraising These examples aren’t wildly creative, but they all include at least one of the following: A clear benefit A stat or action verb A professional tone Writing Your Introduction Your intro should quickly hook your audience while covering the main points the rest of your document will cover. Here’s everything it should cover: State the problem your white paper intends to solve. To create added urgency, it should also touch on the consequences for not taking action.   Summarize the key areas your white paper will cover. Give a high-level overview of what readers can expect from start to finish.   Explain the benefits of reading your white paper. What will your reader be equipped to do after reading what you have to say? Writing Each Subsection Once you’ve hooked a reader’s attention with your intro, you’ll want to keep it. So, make sure each section delivers on the promises you made in your introduction. When you’re writing an (extremely) long-form piece, it can be easy to get lost. That’s why sticking to an outline is so important (and we do hope you spent some time putting one together). With thorough research and a strong outline in hand, you can make the actual writing exponentially easier. Let’s look at a hypothetical outline: How to Select a Veterinarian Find options in your area Research each one Make a call If we were to write this section, we’d start with a paragraph about the importance of selecting a good veterinarian. We’d then dedicate a paragraph or two (or more) to each sub-point. Following this order will ensure your writing flows well from one point to the next in a logical order. When writing each section, consider using bulleted lists to make text easy to skim. For example: This is an insightful point about your topic. Here’s another interesting piece of data. Finally, here is a third important takeaway. Continue until you’ve worked through each portion of your outline. How to Write White Papers People Actually Want to Read (Free Template) What’s the first thing that enters your mind when you hear â€Å"white paper†? If you’ve never written one before (or work at Dunder Mifflin), you might think plain printer paper.   And that’s †¦ well, technically, that’s accurate. The white papers we’ll be talking about today are different. These research-based reports (typically longer than a blog post but shorter than an ebook) are a staple content format for marketers. When they’re well-written, they’re powerful tools for solving problems, establishing authority, and generating leads. However, they’ve developed a poor reputation in some marketing circles. That’s because too many white papers are thoughtlessly churned out with an assembly-line mentality. Ever download something called a â€Å"white paper† that was actually a thin and poorly-disguised sales brochure? A lot of us have. In this post, youll learn how to write white papers that don’t suck. Instead of cranking out crap to meet ill-conceived content quotas, it will walk through how to plan, write, format, and promote quality white papers. Ones that actually get read, smash your business objectives, and make you a star for your organization. Plus, its based 100% on first-hand experience. How to Write White Papers People Actually Want to Read Table of Contents So, What Are White Papers, Exactly? Examples of Real-Life White Papers The White Paper Template Getting Started Writing Your White Paper Outline Research How to Write Your White Paper How to Format White Papers the Best Way Edit. Edit. Edit. Handing Off For Design Promotion So, What Are White Papers, Exactly? A white paper is a document that argues a specific position or solves a problem for its audience. They first originated as a type of official government document. According to Purdue Owl: Typically, the purpose of a white paper is to advocate that a certain position is the best way to go or that a certain solution is best for a particular problem. When it is used for commercial purposes, it could influence the decision-making processes of current and prospective customers. 7 Examples of Actual White Papers That explains that much. But, what does a white paper usually look like? Generally, they’re formatted as PDFs and look somewhat similar to an ebook or typical research report. Here are some samples: How to Win at Local SEO (Sundog Interactive you might recognize the author) LinkedIn Marketing Resources (a library of white papers) Citation Cleanup: Assessing the Damage, Estimating Your Project Timeline (Moz) Microsoft AI Platform: Build Intelligent Software (Microsoft) Google Security White Paper (Google) Coffee in America (Experian) Apple ProRes (Apple) Straight-forward stuff so far. DID YOU KNOW: You can manage marketing projects (including white paper development), plan deadlines, and schedule social promotion all on one marketing calendar with ? See how it works. This White Paper Template + Blog Post = Your Success In this post, well dig into the nuts and bolts of writing effective white papers. But first, be sure to grab your free white paper template (Word format). Then, use it to put all the advice in this post into practice.So, You’re Going to Write a White Paper. How Do You Get Started? Before you jump into writing, you have some planning to do. Sure, this takes time off from actually producing the work. It’s necessary though to ensure what you write is purposeful and effective. First Things First: White Paper Ideation Let’s figure out what you’re going to write about. This involves several steps. Figure Out Who You’re Writing For Who’s going to read your white paper? Ideally, your organization or agency should have an idea who your target audiences and customers are. If not, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide that might help. Identify Problems You Can Solve For Them Once you’ve identified your audience, think about what kinds of information they need from you. Secondarily, you might also tie that back into your own products or services. That sets you up at the solution to that problem. Generate Ideas When you know what problems to solve, you’ve got a purpose for your white paper. The next challenge, then, is to decide which ones to write about, and from which angle. A simple brainstorming session can help with this. Or, start by asking a few questions: Which problems are top priority?  Consider starting with ones that are most pressing or timely. Which problems can I tie back into my business?  Say your organization wants to be known as an authority on an area you’re new to. Or, maybe you have a new product or service offering coming out, and want to position yourself as the best option. Find ideas that align your goals with your audience’s. What are we experts on? If you have deep knowledge or expertise on an area you’re known for, a white paper can help reinforce that perception. Recommended Reading: The Best 30-Minute Content Marketing Brainstorming Process Determine If A White Paper Is Really the Best Content Format Before you get too far along, you might decide a different format would work better to reach your audience and achieve your goals. Follow this graphic to help decide if writing a white paper is the best approach: Next, Write Your Outline White papers are usually fairly long. The same outlining process you’d use for a shorter piece, like a blog post, will work here. You might need to make it a bit longer or more detailed, though, to avoid getting lost in your thoughts partway through. An effective white paper outline should include: Headline or working title: You don’t have to settle on a headline or title right away, but start with a working version that describes your topic. Our Headline Analyzer  can help. An executive summary: This is essentially a brief (200 words or so) description of what your white paper will be about. Think of it like a short pitch for why someone should write what you’re about to write. Your introduction: Which points will you touch on in your intro? These are what you’ll expand on in the body of your white paper. Section sub-headings: Like your headline, these don’t need to be final yet. But, you should have a clear idea of what you’ll discuss in each section. If your headline is the core problem you’ll solve, consider each sub-heading a sub-point or step toward resolving it. Beneath each sub-heading, include further bullet points clarifying exactly what you’ll write about. This is all about knowing what you want to say before you try to say it. Sidebars: White papers often include sidebars or breakout boxes with additional information or data tables, like what you’d find in a magazine. In each section, list any possible sidebar ideas you might have. This could include any research or data you’ll need to find (more on this in a bit). Conclusion: Summarize your key takeaways. If it’s appropriate, you might consider adding a call-to-action here, too. Recommended Reading: How to Write a Call to Action In a Template With 6 Examples Here’s what a hypothetical outline might look like: Do Your Research Good white papers are fact-based and research-driven. You’re not here to throw your opinions out to the world without data to back them up. Depending on what you’re covering, you might get by with nothing more than Google and your company’s own insights. If you want to take things to the next level, though, you’ll need to do deeper research. Let’s take a dive. Dig Into Research Reports Industry research reports can provide an excellent data-backed foundation for your content. Seek out research groups (such as Forrester) or professional organizations that produce original research. Then, cite relevant stats and findings where appropriate. Check Out Wolfram Alpha Wolfram Alpha  calls itself a â€Å"computational knowledge engine.† What does that mean? It’s a search engine for facts and data with calculation functionality built in. It’s an extremely robust and powerful tool for research. Check out some of these top-level categories for things it can do: While we can’t go too far in-depth on how to use Wolfram Alpha here, they have plenty of help guides and resources  to get you on your way. Make Use of Government Websites Depending on your industry, there are several government websites that might be helpful. Here’s a handful to consider: U.S. Small Business Administration American Fact Finder Bureau of Labor Statistics Do Your Own Original Research This is the most difficult option, but it can provide the most valuable results. If you have access to publically-available information, so does your competition. Original research you produced yourself, however, is uniquely powerful. Here are just a few benefits to original research: It establishes you and your organization as an authoritative source. Wouldn’t it be awesome if your white paper became a highly-linked source of information for others? It gives you something no one else has. And that would make your white paper much more valuable than something anyone could have slapped together spending an afternoon with Google. You’ll learn more about your audience and industry. Last year, we did a survey of our blog audience. We were then able to turn our findings into a 5,000+ word blog post. That’s long enough that it could have been a white paper, had we decided to publish it as one. It taught us a lot about our audience, too, including things we wouldn’t have learned otherwise. If you have the time and resources to do your own research study, Andy Crestodina of Orbit Media Studios has a fantastic guide to get you started. Recommended Listening: How to Boost Your Results With Original Research As A Marketing Tactic With Andy Crestodina From Orbit Media Studios [015] Now You're Ready to Format and Write This White Paper We’ve done a lot of things so far. Some of it even involved a little bit of writing. Mostly, though, we’ve spent our time getting ready to write. Writing a white paper isn’t easy. You’re now staring down an intense and involved project. If you’re writing in an industry where you’re not a subject matter expert, then your preparation (outlining, researching, and working with internal or client SMEs) is going to be even more important. You’ve got this, though. Flex those fingers, tap into your inner Hemingway, and let’s knock this thing out. Tap into your inner Hemingway and knock out an awesome white paper.How Do White Papers Differ From Writing Other Types of Content? We’ve touched on this a little earlier, but it’s worth repeating here. While there are some similarities, writing a white paper isn’t quite like writing a blog post, case study, research report, grocery list, or †¦ well, you get the point. It’s decidedly it’s own animal and should be treated as such. White papers should be: Professional in tone: This is formal, almost academic-style writing. Narrowly-focused: Pick one topic and explore it thoroughly. Fact-based:  Unverified claims don’t belong here. Data-backed: You don’t have to like math, but you have to love what numbers can do to make your writing stronger. Writing Your Title Or Headline Your headline is the first thing that will sell your white paper to your audience. You want to write something that conveys clear value up front and gets them to click. However, you also want to avoid anything that could be perceived as click bait, or overly casual. So, your headline should hit each of the following checkboxes: Establish a clear benefit to your reader: Why should they care? What’s in it for them to read past your title page? Including interesting stats or a strong action verb can help. Sound professional: Even if your blog or social media content is fun and light-hearted, a white paper should strike a professional tone. It doesn’t need to be sterile and lifeless, per se, but use your best judgment here. Set realistic expectations for your reader: If your headline reads, â€Å"Ten Ways Shipping Companies Can Deliver Faster Shipments,† you better go into detail on all ten tactics. You’d be surprised how many â€Å"white papers† throw a paragraph of text surrounded by images onto a page and call it good. If you’re going to create crap, just say up front you’re creating crap. Or better yet, don’t write your white paper at all. Commit to quality or stay home. Commit to quality or stay home.Let’s take a look at five hypothetical headline examples you can follow: How SaaS Companies Can Onboard 53% More Customers In 2017 Why Are Content Calendars Important For Marketing Teams 7 Ways Small Businesses Can Compete With Enterprise Corporations Why Companies Should Use Agile Project Management How Nonprofits Can Do Better Fundraising These examples aren’t wildly creative, but they all include at least one of the following: A clear benefit A stat or action verb A professional tone Writing Your Introduction Your intro should quickly hook your audience while covering the main points the rest of your document will cover. Here’s everything it should cover: State the problem your white paper intends to solve. To create added urgency, it should also touch on the consequences for not taking action.   Summarize the key areas your white paper will cover. Give a high-level overview of what readers can expect from start to finish.   Explain the benefits of reading your white paper. What will your reader be equipped to do after reading what you have to say? Writing Each Subsection Once you’ve hooked a reader’s attention with your intro, you’ll want to keep it. So, make sure each section delivers on the promises you made in your introduction. When you’re writing an (extremely) long-form piece, it can be easy to get lost. That’s why sticking to an outline is so important (and we do hope you spent some time putting one together). With thorough research and a strong outline in hand, you can make the actual writing exponentially easier. Let’s look at a hypothetical outline: How to Select a Veterinarian Find options in your area Research each one Make a call If we were to write this section, we’d start with a paragraph about the importance of selecting a good veterinarian. We’d then dedicate a paragraph or two (or more) to each sub-point. Following this order will ensure your writing flows well from one point to the next in a logical order. When writing each section, consider using bulleted lists to make text easy to skim. For example: This is an insightful point about your topic. Here’s another interesting piece of data. Finally, here is a third important takeaway. Continue until you’ve worked through each portion of your outline.