Depression

            Depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think, and how you act. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities that once were pleasurable. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease your ability to function at work, home, or school. Fortunately, depression is treatable with psychotherapy or "talk therapy" along with antidepressant medications, if necessary.

Depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include: Feeling sad or having a depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting, Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much, Loss of energy or increased fatigue and increase in purposeless physical activity (e.g., inability to sit still, pacing, hand-wringing) or slowed movements or speech (these actions must be severe enough to be observable by others).

In order to make a diagnosis of depression, the symptoms of depression must be different than those you experience when under stress. Symptoms must last at least two weeks and represent a change in your previous level of functioning. Medical causes must also be ruled out before making a diagnosis of depressive disorder.

Depression is a common mental health condition that affects an estimated one in 15 adults (6.7%) in any given year. 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. Currently, there are more than 8 million Australians living with depression or anxiety.

Depression is a common response to loss or suffering, such as the death of a loved one. 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.” Although feelings of sadness and grief are a normal human reaction to these types of life events, if these feelings persist for longer than two weeks, it might mean that you are suffering from depression.

The grieving process is natural and unique to each individual. Both grief and depression may involve intense sadness and withdrawal from usual activities. While many people experience the feelings of grief, only when these feelings become overwhelming and interfere with daily functioning do they meet the criteria for clinical depression?

In grief, painful feelings come in waves, often intermixed with positive memories of the deceased. In major depression, mood and/or interest (pleasure) are decreased for most of two weeks. Self-esteem is usually maintained. In grief, thoughts of death may surface when thinking of or fantasizing about “joining” the deceased loved one. In major 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.

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 coexist, the grief is more intense, longer-lasting, and makes it hard to move on with life. Distinguishing between grief and depression is important. A person who is grieving may need help coping with overwhelming feelings that don't seem to go away or lift.

Depression can affect anyone—even a person who appears to live in relatively ideal circumstances. Depressive disorders can also be caused by many chemical imbalances, some connected with genetics and others that are not related to family history. Environmental factors can also play a role in making someone vulnerable to depression, such as continuous exposure to violence, neglect, or poverty. Depression is treatable but it is important to seek help early on before the condition becomes worse."

Depressive disorders are treatable, but it takes time and patience. A thorough diagnostic evaluation is part of the treatment process. The treating health professional will ask questions about your symptoms and any factors related to or causing them, like life changes or recent stressors. They may ask if you have had similar symptoms in the past. They may also suggest that you keep a journal for a week or two to track your moods and sleep patterns.

Medication            

            Depression can be more than a mood disorder. It’s a serious medical illness that affects your brain, creating a chemical imbalance that leads to deep sadness, lack of motivation, and even hopelessness. Antidepressant medications may be prescribed to help modify one’s brain chemistry. These medications are not sedatives, “uppers” or tranquilizers. They are not habit-forming. Generally, antidepressant medications have no stimulating effect on people not experiencing depression.

Antidepressants are among the most commonly prescribed medications for mood disorders. They can be effective in treating symptoms of depression and anxiety. Antidepressants may produce some improvement within the first week or two of use yet full benefits may not be seen for two to three months. If a patient feels little or no improvement after several weeks, his or her psychiatrist can alter the dose of the medication or add or substitute another antidepressant. In some situations, other psychotropic medications may be helpful. It is important to let your doctor know if a medication does not work or if you experience side effects.

People with bipolar disorder may need to continue taking medicine for several months or years after the symptoms have been under control. This is called maintenance treatment, and it helps reduce the chance of future episodes.

Psychotherapy, or “talk therapy,” is used alone for the treatment of mild depression; for moderate to severe depression, psychotherapy is often used along with antidepressant medications. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been found to be effective in treating depression. CBT is a form of therapy focused on problem-solving in the present. CBT helps a person to recognize distorted/negative thinking with the goal of changing thoughts and behaviors to respond to challenges in a more positive manner.

How long will you need treatment? It depends on the severity of your depression and other factors. Many people see significant improvement in just 10 to 15 sessions.

ECT, or electroconvulsive therapy, is a safe and effective treatment used to manage severe depression when other therapies have not worked. This treatment—often called electroshock therapy—works by delivering electrical stimulation to the brain while the patient is under anesthesia. Electroconvulsive therapy is usually scheduled in two to three-week increments and can be administered two to three times per week for a total of eight to 12 treatments.

Depression is a real illness that affects the way you think, feel, and behave. Symptoms often include persistent sadness and loneliness, fatigue or loss of energy, decrease in appetite or sleep, guilt or hopelessness, and difficulty concentrating. As many as one in five people will experience depression at some point in their lives. Depression is treatable through medication and/or psychotherapy. If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, talk to your family physician or see a mental health professional for an evaluation.

Mood disorders can affect people of all ages, stages, and cultures. They include major depression, persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia), bipolar and related disorders including bipolar I disorder and bipolar II disorder, cyclothymic disorder, a major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe disabling version of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). It's estimated to affect as many as 5% to 10% of women. Symptoms are severe enough to interfere with relationships and work, and they tend to last all month long.

Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD or DMD) is a condition that occurs in children and youth ages 6 to 18. It involves chronic and severe irritability resulting in frequent temper outbursts. The temper outbursts can be verbal or involve behavior such as physical aggression toward people or property. These outbursts are significantly out of proportion to the situation and are not consistent with the child’s developmental age. They must occur frequently (three or more times per week on average) and typically in response to frustration. In between the outbursts, the child's mood is persistently irritable nearly every day leading to significant problems at home, school, or in other important areas of functioning."

Persistent depressive disorder (previously referred to as dysthymic disorder) is characterized by an ongoing depression that over time can develop into major depression. In children, irritability rather than depressed mood may be seen. When this happens, the condition may be referred to as a "prolonged depressive reaction."

A person with persistent depressive disorder (PDD), sometimes known as dysthymic disorder, is often described as being a “walking sadness” or “down in the dumps.” Sufferers may feel hopeless and helpless, as though nothing will ever get better. A persistent depressive disorder does not follow a seasonal pattern like major depression. Because its symptoms have become a part of the individual’s day-to-day life experience, they may not seek help, just assuming that “I’ve always been this way.”

This article is based on the writer's personal knowledge and in-depth research. It is for educational purposes only. You need to consult a qualified mental health professional before making any therapeutic decisions or for advice about any psychiatric condition.

Always remember this,

---You are not alone💖---

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