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WHAT IS DEPRESSION?
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Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. The good part is that it can also be treatable.
#Thread
Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. The good part is that it can also be treatable.
Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease your ability to function at work and at home. It can affect adults, adolescents, and children.
Depression is a mood disorder that involves a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It is different from the mood fluctuations that people regularly experience as a part of life. Major life events, such as bereavement or the loss of a job, can lead to depression.
Depression is an ongoing problem, not a passing one. It consists of episodes during which the symptoms last for at least 2 weeks. Depression can last for several weeks, months, or years.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION
1) A depressed mood
2) Loss of sexual desire
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION
1) A depressed mood
2) Loss of sexual desire
3) Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting
4) Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
5) Loss of energy or increased fatigue
6) Feeling worthless or guilty
7) Difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions
8) Thoughts of death or suicide
4) Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
5) Loss of energy or increased fatigue
6) Feeling worthless or guilty
7) Difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions
8) Thoughts of death or suicide
9) Agitation, restlessness, and pacing up and down
10) Slowed movement and speech. etc
Symptoms must last at least two weeks and must represent a change in your previous level of functioning for a diagnosis of depression. Also, medical conditions (e.g., thyroid problems, a brain
10) Slowed movement and speech. etc
Symptoms must last at least two weeks and must represent a change in your previous level of functioning for a diagnosis of depression. Also, medical conditions (e.g., thyroid problems, a brain
tumor or vitamin deficiency) can mimic symptoms of depression so it is important to rule out general medical causes.
Depression affects an estimated one in 15 adults (6.7%) in any given year. And one in six people (16.6%) will experience depression at some time in their life.
Depression affects an estimated one in 15 adults (6.7%) in any given year. And one in six people (16.6%) will experience depression at some time in their life.
Depression can occur at any time, but on average, first appears during the late teens to mid-20s. Women are more likely than men to experience depression. Some studies show that one-third of women will experience a major depressive episode in their lifetime.
Depression is different from sadness or grief. The death of a loved one, loss of a job or the ending of a relationship are difficult experiences for a person to endure. It is normal for feelings of sadness or grief to develop in response to such situations.
Those experiencing loss often might describe themselves as being “Depressed.” But being sad is not the same as having depression. The grieving process is natural and unique to each individual and shares some of the same features of depression.
Both grief and depression may involve intense sadness and withdrawal from usual activities and they are also different in important ways:
1) In grief, painful feelings come in waves, often intermixed with positive memories of the deceased.
1) In grief, painful feelings come in waves, often intermixed with positive memories of the deceased.
In depression, mood and/or interest (pleasure) are decreased for most of two weeks.
2) In grief, self-esteem is usually maintained while depression, feelings of worthlessness and self-loathing are common.
3) In grief, thoughts of death may surface when thinking of or fantasizing
2) In grief, self-esteem is usually maintained while depression, feelings of worthlessness and self-loathing are common.
3) In grief, thoughts of death may surface when thinking of or fantasizing
about “joining” the deceased loved one. While depression, thoughts are focused on ending one’s life due to feeling worthless or undeserving of living or being unable to cope with the pain of depression.
Grief and depression can co-exist for some people, the death of a loved one,
Grief and depression can co-exist for some people, the death of a loved one,
losing a job or being a victim of a physical assault or a major disaster can lead to depression. When grief and depression co-occur, the grief is more severe and lasts longer than grief without depression.
It is much better to know the difference between grief and depression
It is much better to know the difference between grief and depression
cause it helps people in getting the help, support or treatment they need.
RISKS FACTORS FOR DEPRESSION
Depression can affect anyone—even a person who appears to live in relatively ideal circumstances. Several factors can play a role and there are:
RISKS FACTORS FOR DEPRESSION
Depression can affect anyone—even a person who appears to live in relatively ideal circumstances. Several factors can play a role and there are:
1) Biochemistry: Differences in certain chemicals in the brain may contribute to symptoms of depression.
2) Genetics: This has to do with the families. For example, if one identical twin has depression, the other has a 70 percent chance of having the illness sometime in life.
2) Genetics: This has to do with the families. For example, if one identical twin has depression, the other has a 70 percent chance of having the illness sometime in life.
3) Personality: People with low self-esteem, who are easily overwhelmed by stress, or who are generally pessimistic appear to be more likely to experience depression.
4) Environmental factors: Continuous exposure to violence, neglect, abuse or poverty may make some people more
4) Environmental factors: Continuous exposure to violence, neglect, abuse or poverty may make some people more
vulnerable to depression.
In females, depression is nearly twice as common among women as men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Below are some symptoms of depression that tend to appear more often in females:
1) Anxiety
2) Fatigue
In females, depression is nearly twice as common among women as men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Below are some symptoms of depression that tend to appear more often in females:
1) Anxiety
2) Fatigue
3) Irritability
4) Mood swings
5) Ruminating (dwelling on negative thoughts)
6) Postpartum depression
7) Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
In males, depression is more likely than females to drink alcohol in excess, display anger & engage in risk-taking as a result of d disorder.
4) Mood swings
5) Ruminating (dwelling on negative thoughts)
6) Postpartum depression
7) Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
In males, depression is more likely than females to drink alcohol in excess, display anger & engage in risk-taking as a result of d disorder.
Below are some of the symptoms of depression in males and there are:
1) Avoiding families and social situations
2) Working without a break
3) Having difficulty keeping up with work and family responsibilities
4) Displaying abusive or controlling behavior in relationships
1) Avoiding families and social situations
2) Working without a break
3) Having difficulty keeping up with work and family responsibilities
4) Displaying abusive or controlling behavior in relationships
Time in the university can be stressful, and a person may be dealing with other lifestyles, cultures, and experiences for the first time. Some students have difficulty coping with these changes, and they may develop depression, anxiety, or both as a result.
Symptoms of depression in students may include:
1) Difficulty concentrating on schoolwork
2) Insomnia
3) Sleeping too much
4) A decrease or increase in appetite
5) Avoiding social situations and activities that they used to enjoy
1) Difficulty concentrating on schoolwork
2) Insomnia
3) Sleeping too much
4) A decrease or increase in appetite
5) Avoiding social situations and activities that they used to enjoy
In teens, physical changes, peer pressure, and other factors can contribute to depression in teenagers. Some of the symptoms are:
1) Withdrawing from friends & family
2) Difficulty concentrating on schoolwork
3) Feeling guilty, helpless, worthless or
restlessness
1) Withdrawing from friends & family
2) Difficulty concentrating on schoolwork
3) Feeling guilty, helpless, worthless or
restlessness
In children, symptoms can make schoolwork and social activities challenging. They may experience symptoms such as:
1) Crying
2) Low energy
3) Clinginess
4) Defiant behavior
5) Vocal outbursts
1) Crying
2) Low energy
3) Clinginess
4) Defiant behavior
5) Vocal outbursts
Younger children may have difficulty expressing how dey feel in words. This can make it harder 4 them to explain deir feelings of sadness.
HOW IS DEPRESSION TREATED?
1) Psychotherapy i.e Talk therapy
2) Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
3) Exercise
4) Brain stimulation therapies
HOW IS DEPRESSION TREATED?
1) Psychotherapy i.e Talk therapy
2) Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
3) Exercise
4) Brain stimulation therapies
TYPES OF DEPRESSION
1) Major depression- It means a person with major depression experiences a constant state of sadness. They may lose interest in activities that they used to enjoy. Treatment usually involves medication and psychotherapy.
1) Major depression- It means a person with major depression experiences a constant state of sadness. They may lose interest in activities that they used to enjoy. Treatment usually involves medication and psychotherapy.
2) Persistent depressive disorder also known as dysthymia, persistent depressive disorder causes symptoms that last for at least 2 years. A person with this disorder may have episodes of major depression as well as milder symptoms.
3) Bipolar disorder- This depression is a common symptom of bipolar disorder, and research shows that people with this disorder may have symptoms around half of the time. This can make bipolar disorder hard to distinguish from depression.
4) Psychotic depression- Some people experience psychosis with depression. Psychosis can involve delusions, such as false beliefs and a detachment from reality. It can also involve hallucinations — sensing things that do not exist.
5) Postpartum depression- After giving birth, many women experience what some people call the “baby blues.” When hormone levels readjust after childbirth, changes in mood can result. Postpartum depression, or postnatal depression, is more severe.
There is no single cause for this type of depression, and it can persist for months or years. Anyone who experiences ongoing depression after delivery should seek medical attention.
6) Major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern previously called seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, this type of depression is related to the reduction in daylight during the fall and winter. It lifts during the rest of the year and in response to light therapy.
People who live in countries with long or severe winters seem to be affected more by this condition.
DIAGNOSIS
If a person suspects that they have symptoms of depression, they should seek professional help from a doctor or mental health specialist. A qualified health professional can rule out various causes, ensure an accurate diagnosis, and provide safe and effective treatment.
If a person suspects that they have symptoms of depression, they should seek professional help from a doctor or mental health specialist. A qualified health professional can rule out various causes, ensure an accurate diagnosis, and provide safe and effective treatment.
TESTS
Mental health professionals often ask people to complete questionnaires to help assess the severity of their depression. We have several methods like:
1) The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, for example, has 21 questions.The scores indicate the severity of depression
Mental health professionals often ask people to complete questionnaires to help assess the severity of their depression. We have several methods like:
1) The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, for example, has 21 questions.The scores indicate the severity of depression
among people who already have a diagnosis.
2) The Beck Depression Inventory is another questionnaire that helps mental health professionals measure a person’s symptoms.
SUICIDE PREVENTION
1) Call the local emergency number
2) Stay with the person until professional help arrives
2) The Beck Depression Inventory is another questionnaire that helps mental health professionals measure a person’s symptoms.
SUICIDE PREVENTION
1) Call the local emergency number
2) Stay with the person until professional help arrives
3) Remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects.
4) Listen to the person without judgment.
5) If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help.
4) Listen to the person without judgment.
5) If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help.
IS DEPRESSION GENETIC?
A person with a parent or sibling who has depression is two-to-three times more likely than the general public to develop the condition.
However, many people with depression have no family history of it. A recent study suggests that susceptibility to
A person with a parent or sibling who has depression is two-to-three times more likely than the general public to develop the condition.
However, many people with depression have no family history of it. A recent study suggests that susceptibility to
depression may not result from genetic variation. The researchers acknowledge that while depression could be inherited, many other issues also influence its development.
IS DEPRESSION CURABLE?
While there is no cure for depression, there are effective treatments that help with
IS DEPRESSION CURABLE?
While there is no cure for depression, there are effective treatments that help with
recovery. The earlier treatment starts, the more successful it may be. Many people with depression recover after following a treatment plan. Even with effective treatment, however, a relapse may occur. To prevent relapse, people who take medication for depression
should continue with treatment even after symptoms improve or go away for as long as their doctor advises.
WHAT ARE TRIGGERS?
Triggers are emotional, psychological, or physical events or circumstances that can cause depression symptoms to appear or return.
WHAT ARE TRIGGERS?
Triggers are emotional, psychological, or physical events or circumstances that can cause depression symptoms to appear or return.
These are some of the most common triggers:
1) Stressful life events, such as loss, family conflicts, and changes in relationships.
2) Incomplete recovery after having stopped treatment too soon
3) Medical conditions, such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
1) Stressful life events, such as loss, family conflicts, and changes in relationships.
2) Incomplete recovery after having stopped treatment too soon
3) Medical conditions, such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
RISK FACTORS OF DEPRESSION
1) Experiencing certain life events, such as bereavement, work issues, changes in relationships, financial problems & medical concerns
2) Experiencing acute stress
3) Having a lack of successful coping strategies
having a close relative with depression
1) Experiencing certain life events, such as bereavement, work issues, changes in relationships, financial problems & medical concerns
2) Experiencing acute stress
3) Having a lack of successful coping strategies
having a close relative with depression
4) Using recreational drugs, such as alcohol or amphetamines
5) Having sustained a head injury
6) Having had a previous episode of major depression
7) Having a chronic condition, such as diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
8) Living with persistent pain
5) Having sustained a head injury
6) Having had a previous episode of major depression
7) Having a chronic condition, such as diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
8) Living with persistent pain
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