Introduction
Depression is a feeling of sadness and hopelessness that affects the quality of life. The patients experience anger, hostility, poor concentration, and loss of interest in daily activities. There are five stages of depression. Let’s learn more about it.
What is Depression?
Depressive thoughts and feeling low once in a while are quite normal. However, when one is feeling low for a long time, the patient may be suffering from depression. Depression alters your thought process and interferes with your daily activities, such as eating, sleeping, working, and studying.
Depression and anxiety generally occur together. Untreated mental depression may result in developing several diseases. Depression is more common in women than men. Depression is a chronic condition, and the symptoms of depression may last for at least 14 days. Chronic depression may last for months or years.
Types of Depression
Some of the most common types of depression are:
- Major depression: In such cases, the patient is always under depressed feeling, sadness, and hopelessness. The patients may lose pleasure in those activities which were joyous to them in the past.
- Persistent depressive disorder: The patients with this type of depression have the symptoms at least for two years. The patient sometimes has episodes of major depression and sometimes milder symptoms.
- Psychotic depression: Such patients have concomitant psychosis along with depression. During psychosis, the patient experiences hallucinations and false beliefs.
- Bipolar disorder: Depression is a common symptom of bipolar disorder. However, patients with bipolar disorder also have episodes of high energy.
- Perinatal depression is clinically known as major depressive disorder with peripartum onset, occurs during pregnancy or within four weeks of childbirth. Hormonal changes that happen during pregnancy and childbirth can trigger changes in the brain that lead to mood swings. The lack of sleep and physical discomfort that often accompanies pregnancy and having a newborn can be contributing factors too.
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). While PMS symptoms can be both physical and psychological, PMDD symptoms tend to be mostly psychological and are more severe than those associated with PMS. PMDD is believed to be related to hormonal changes. Some women dismiss PMDD as just a bad case of PMS, but PMDD can become very severe and include thoughts of suicide.Seasonal depression, also called seasonal affective disorder and clinically known as major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern, is depression that’s related to certain seasons. For most people, it tends to happen during the winter months. Seasonal depression may get worse as the season progresses due to lack of natural sunlight and can lead to suicidal thoughts.
- Situational depression, clinically known as adjustment disorder with depressed mood, looks like major depression in many respects. But it’s brought on by specific events or situations, such as the death of a loved one, a serious illness or other life-threatening event, going through divorce or child custody issues, being in emotionally or physically abusive relationships, being unemployed or facing serious financial difficulties or facing extensive legal troubles.
- A typical depression refers to depression that temporarily goes away in response to positive events. Having atypical depression can be particularly challenging because you may not always “seem” depressed to others (or yourself).
Also Read: Four Reasons Why You Should Never Skip Your Whole Body Checkup?
Symptoms of Depression
Some of the symptoms of depression are:
- Persistent feeling of hopelessness, sadness, and helplessness
- Changes in sleep pattern
- Hostility, arrogance, and anger
- Loss of appetite and change in weight
- Loss of interest in activities that were pleasurable in the past
- Problem in concentration
- Unexplained stomach ache, aching muscles, headaches, and back pain
Causes of Depression
There is no complete information about the cause of depression. However, some factors increase the risk of developing depression. These are:
- Isolation and loneliness
- Chronic disease
- Symptoms for neurological diseases, such as bipolar disorder
- Recent stressful event
- Relationship problems
- Financial problems
- Drug abuse
- Family history of depression
- Childhood trauma
Treatment of Depression
The treatment options for depression are:
- Medications: The doctor may prescribe some antidepressant medications that help in relieving the symptoms. The medicines include monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), tricyclic and atypical antidepressants, selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs),
- Exercise: Exercise can manage mild depression by stimulating neurotransmitter norepinephrine.
- Therapies: The doctor may also advise the patients to undergo various therapies. These include psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, and brain-stimulating therapy.
Conclusion
The patient must accept his condition and take consultation from a healthcare professional. With proper treatment, counselling, and therapies, the patient can successfully manage depression.
Agilus Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Fortis Healthcare Limited
