Depression disorder is a common but serious mood disorder. It is also known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression. It causes severe symptoms that interfere with how you feel, think, and handle daily activities like sleeping, eating, and working.
The symptoms of depression must be present for at least two weeks in order to be diagnosed.
Types of depression disorder
- Major depression: is defined as having depression symptoms for at least two weeks that interfere with one's ability to work, sleep, study, and eat.
- Persistent depressive disorder (also known as dysthymia), which frequently includes less severe depression symptoms that last much longer, typically for at least two years.
- Perinatal depression occurs when a woman suffers from major depression during or after childbirth (postpartum depression).
- Seasonal affective disorder is a condition that comes and goes with the seasons, typically beginning in late fall and early winter and ending in spring and summer.
- Depression with psychotic symptoms is a severe form of depression in which a person has psychotic symptoms such as delusions (disturbing, false fixed beliefs) or hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that others do not see or hear).
- Individuals with bipolar disorder (previously known as manic depression or manic-depressive illness) also have depressive episodes in which they feel sad, indifferent, or hopeless and have a very low activity level. A person with bipolar disorder, on the other hand, has manic episodes, or unusually elevated moods in which the individual may feel very happy, irritable, or "up," with a significant increase in activity level.
Other types of depressive disorders newly added to the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) diagnostic
classification include disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (diagnosed in
children and adolescents) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).
Symptoms Of Depression disorder
If you have been experiencing some of the following signs and symptoms for at least two weeks and have been experiencing them most of the day, nearly every day, you may be suffering from depression:
- A persistently depressed, anxious, or "empty" mood
- Feelings of despair or pessimism
- Irritability, frustration, or a sense of restlessness
- Guilt, worthlessness, or feeling helpless
- Loss of enjoyment or interest in hobbies and activities
- Low energy, fatigue, or a sense of being "slowed down"
- Difficulties concentrating, recalling information, or making decisions
- Sleeping difficulties, early morning awakenings, or oversleeping
- Changes in appetite or unintentional weight loss
- Suicide attempts or thoughts of death or suicide
Aches and pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems
that do not go away despite treatment Suicide attempts or thoughts of death or
suicide
Not everyone who is depressed exhibits all of the symptoms.
Some people have only a few symptoms, while others have many. A diagnosis of
major depressive disorder requires several persistent symptoms in addition to
low mood, but people with only a few - but distressing - symptoms may benefit
from treatment as well. The severity, frequency, and duration of symptoms will
vary depending on the individual and his or her specific illness. Symptoms may
also differ according to the stage of the illness.
Factors of Risk
Depression is one of the most prevalent mental illnesses in
the United States. According to research, depression is caused by genetic,
biological, environmental, and psychological factors.
Depression can strike at any age, but it most often strikes
in adulthood. Depression is now recognised in children and adolescents, though
it sometimes manifests as irritability rather than depression. Many chronic
mood and anxiety disorders in adults begin in childhood with high levels of
anxiety.
Depression
disorder can co-occur with other serious medical illnesses, such as
diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and Parkinson's disease, especially in
middle-aged or older adults. These conditions are frequently exacerbated by
depression, and research suggests that people who have both depression and
another medical illnesses have more severe symptoms of both illnesses.
Medication used to treat these physical illnesses can
sometimes have side effects that contribute to depression. A doctor with
experience treating these complex illnesses can assist in determining the best
treatment strategy.
The following are risk factors:
- Personal or familial depression history
- Significant life changes, trauma, or stress
- Certain medical conditions and medications
Therapies and Treatment for depression disorder
Even the most severe cases of depression can be treated. The
earlier treatment begins, the better the outcome. Medications, psychotherapy,
or a combination of the two are commonly used to treat depression. If these
treatments are ineffective, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and other brain
stimulation therapies may be considered.
Medications
Antidepressants are drugs that are commonly used to treat
depression. They may help your brain use certain chemicals that control your
mood or stress better. You may need to try several antidepressant medications
before finding one that relieves your symptoms while causing manageable side
effects. A medication that has previously helped you or a close family member
will frequently be considered.
Antidepressants take time to work - typically 4 to 8 weeks -
and symptoms such as sleep, appetite, and concentration problems often improve
before mood improves, so it is critical to give medication a chance before
deciding whether it works.
If you start taking antidepressants, do not stop taking them
without first consulting your doctor. People who take antidepressants may feel
better for a while, but then stop taking the medication on their own, and the
depression returns. When you and your doctor decide it's time to stop taking
the medication, usually after 6 to 12 months, the doctor will help you
gradually and safely reduce your dose. Stopping them suddenly can result in
withdrawal symptoms.
Psychotherapies Several types of psychotherapy (also known
as "talk therapy" or "counselling") can assist people
suffering from depression by teaching them new ways of thinking and behaving as
well as how to change habits that contribute to depression.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy
are two evidence-based approaches for the treatment of depression (IPT). The
NIMH Psychotherapies webpage has more information on psychotherapy.
Therapies for Brain Stimulation
If medications do not alleviate depression disorder symptoms,
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be an option to consider. According to the
most recent research:
People suffering from severe depression disorder who have
not improved with other treatments may benefit from ECT.
Electroconvulsive therapy has the potential to be an
effective treatment for depression. ECT can even be used as a first-line
intervention in some severe cases where a quick response is required or
medications cannot be used safely.
ECT was once strictly an inpatient procedure, but it is now
frequently performed on an outpatient basis. For two to four weeks, the
treatment consists of a series of sessions, typically three times per week.
Some side effects of ECT include confusion, disorientation,
and memory loss. Usually, these side effects are temporary, but memory problems
can last for months, especially during the treatment course. Modern ECT is safe
and effective for the majority of patients due to advancements in ECT devices
and methods. Before giving your informed consent to undergo ECT, consult with
your doctor to ensure you understand the potential benefits and risks of the
treatment.
ECT is not painful, and the electrical impulses are not
felt. Before beginning ECT, the patient is sedated and given a muscle relaxant.
The patient is awake and alert one hour after the treatment session, which only
takes a few minutes.
