Depression is a serious illness that causes changes in mood, thinking, physical well-being and behavior. It can affect all aspects of a person's life. It is caused by a complex set of physical, psychological and environmental factors. Men and women both are affected by this disease equally. Children, adolescents and young boys or girls are also affected by depression. Symptoms of depression can appear for days, weeks, months or years.

Types of Depression

Major depression
Dysthymic Disorder
Cyclothymic Disorder
Bipolar Disorder
Unipolar Depression
Manic Depression

Major depression - Major depression is a problem with mood in which there are severe and long lasting feelings of sadness or related symptoms that get in the way of a person's functioning.

Dysthymic Disorder - A less severe type of depression, dysthymic disorder , involves long-term, chronic symptoms that do not disable, but keep one from functioning well or from feeling good.

Cyclothymic Disorder - Cyclothymia is a milder form of manic depression, characterized by hypomania (a mild form of mania) alternating with mild bouts of depression.

Bipolar Disorder ( also called manic-depressive illness ) - This section covers the detail information on all types of Bipolar Disorder, their treatment options, occurence in childhood, diagnosis criteria, etc.

Unipolar Depression - This lowered mood may vary slightly throughout the day but the sufferer cannot usually be cheered up, and this is the major distinction between simply being unhappy and being clinically depressed.

Manic Depression - Manic depression can be defined as an emotional disorder characterized by changing mood shifts from depression to mania which can sometimes be quite rapid. People who suffer from manic depression have an extremely high rate of suicide.

Causes of Depression

The multiple causes of depression are not completely understood. Current research suggests possible genetic, familial, biochemical, physical, psychological, and social causes. Psychological causes (the focus of many nursing interventions) may include feelings of helplessness and vulnerability, anger, hopelessness and pessimism, and low self-esteem. They may be related to abnormal character and behavior patterns and troubled personal relationships. In many patients, the history identifies a specific personal loss or severe stressor that probably interacts with the person's predisposition to provoke major depression.

Symptoms of Depression

Excessive irritation
Changes in behaviors, energy and mood
Less concentration
Low self-esteem
Poor judgments
Sad mood
Feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, guilt
No interest in hobbies and activities
Loss body weight
Increased talking
Social behavior is not good
Reduction in memory

Diagnosis of Depression

Screening test, x-ray, scan will be preferred by health care provider to diagnose the depression disorder. It may be helpful to identify the symptoms of depression.

Treatment of Depression

Drug therapy Treatment

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as amitriptyline. TCAs are the most widely used class of antidepressant drugs.

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan). MAO inhibitors block the enzymatic degradation of norepinephrine and serotonin.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRls), such as fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft).

Maprotiline, trazodone (Desyrel), and bupropion (Wellbutrin) aren't chemically related to the other antidepressants.

Exercise - Physical activity and exercise may help to reduce the depression.

Light therapy - Light therapy may be effective to treat any type of depression such as major depression. Sometimes artificial light is used to reduce the depression.

Psychiatric hospitalization is used simply to keep suicidal people safe until they cease to be dangers to themselves.

Meditation is useful treatment to reduce the depression.

Prevention Tips of Depression

Try to maintain a positive outlook. Having a good attitude can be beneficial.
Regular exercise and proper diet are essential to good health.
Try to get enough rest and maintain a regular sleeping pattern.
Avoid drinking alcohol or using any illicit substances.

|| Home || Contact Us || Resources ||