Learn About Depression and Anxiety Disorders
Description of Depression, Causes and Risk Factors of Depression, Symptoms of Depression, Diagnosis of Depression, Treatment of Depression, Alternative for Depression, Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Depression
(PRWEB) October 13, 2004 -- Definition of Depression: Depression is a medical disorder characterized by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, pessimism, and a general loss of interest in life, combined with a sense of reduced emotional well-being.
Description of Depression:
The three (3) most common types of depression are major depression, dysthymia and bipolar disease:
Major depression is manifested by a combination of symptoms (see Symptoms below) that interfere with the ability to work, sleep, eat and enjoy once pleasurable activities. These symptoms occur without any apparent cause and deepen and persist day-in and day-out for two weeks or longer.
Dysthymia is marked by mild to moderate depressive symptoms that last at least two years. People with this condition have fewer symptoms than those with major depression, but the symptoms last longer and develop more slowly. On average, symptoms can last 16 years before there is a diagnosis. Sometimes people with dysthymia also experience major depressive episodes.
Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic-depressive illness, involves cycles of depression and elation (mania). Sometimes the mood switches are dramatic and rapid, but most often they are gradual. When in the depressed cycle, a person can have any or all of the symptoms of depression. When in the manic cycle, any or all manic symptoms (see Symptoms below) may be experienced.
Causes and Risk Factors of Depression:
Depression is caused by a combination of genetic (inherited), psychological and environmental factors. Depression, especially bipolar disorder, has been shown to run in families. Additionally, having too little or too much of certain neurochemicals in the brain have shown to be the cause of depression. The psychological makeup of a person, such as low self-esteem, pessimism and stress, can also cause depression. Environmental or other associated health factors, such as a serious loss, chronic illness, pregnancy, childbirth, difficult relationships, financial problems, unwelcome changes in life patterns, alcohol, drug abuse and medications can also trigger a depressive episode.
About 10 to 15 percent of all depression is caused by medical illness or medicine. Once these conditions are treated or the medication stopped or changed, the depression will usually go away.
The symptoms of depression include:
- loss of interest in the things that the person once enjoyed
- feeling sad, blue, or down in the dumps
- feeling slowed down or restless and unable to sit still
- feeling worthless or guilty
- an increase or decrease in appetite or weight
- thoughts of death or suicide
- problems concentrating, thinking, remembering or making decisions
- trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- loss of energy or feeling tired all of the time
- headaches
- digestive problems
- sexual problems
- feeling pessimistic or hopeless
- being anxious or worried
The symptoms of mania are:
- feeling unusually "high," euphoric or irritable
- severe insomnia
- grandiose notions
- increased talking
- disconnected and racing thoughts
- increased sexual desire
- markedly increased energy
- poor judgment
- inappropriate social behavior
Diagnosis of Depression:
Diagnosis of depression involves a psychological/physical history and evaluation. According to the American Psychiatric Association, if a person experiences a loss of interest in the things they once enjoyed and are feeling sad, blue, or down in the dumps for at least two (2) weeks, and are experiencing at least five (5) of the other symptoms of depression, they may have major depression. If a person experiences euphoria, irritability, or a feeling of being "high" with four (4) other symptoms of mania for at least one (1) week, they may havebipolar disorder.
In addition to listing the symptoms, the doctor will also ask when the symptoms began, how long they have lasted, how severe they are, whether the individual has had them before, and if so, whether or not they were treated and what treatment was received, as well as whether or not other family members have had these symptoms.
Furthermore, a mental status examination will be done to determine if speech, thought patterns or memory have been affected. The physical examination will either diagnosis and/or rule out any medical conditions (such as thyroid disease, cancers or neurologic diseases) that could be causing the depression.
Treatment of Depression:
Treatment of depression usually involves medication, psychotherapy or a combination of both. Other treatments may include electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), light therapy and alternative treatments.....read more |
