depression an overview

 

                                                

                                               Depression

Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in things and activities you used to enjoy. It can also cause difficulty with thinking, memory, eating and sleeping, as well as difficulty with thinking, memory, eating and sleeping.

Losing your job or, death of someone close going through a divorce can make you sad or grieve. Depression, on the other hand, is different in that it persists practically every day for at least two weeks and involves other symptoms than sadness alone.

There are several types of depression. Clinical depression, or major depressive disorder, is often simply called depression. It is the most serious type of depression.

Depression can get worse and last longer without treatment. It can lead to self-harm or suicide in severe cases. There are treatments that can be very effective in improving symptoms.

there are different kinds of depression

Depressive disorders are classified as the following in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition.

•           A diagnosis of major depressive disorder means you've felt sad, low or worthless most days for at least two weeks, as well as other symptoms like sleep issues, a loss of interest in activities or a change in appetite. Depression is the most severe and common form.

•           The persistent depressive disorder is a mild or moderate depression that lasts for at least two years. The signs aren't as severe as major depressive disorder. PDD dysthymia was called by healthcare providers.

•           Chronic, intense irritability and frequent anger outbursts in children are signs of disruptive mood deregulation disorder called DMDD: The symptoms usually start at the age of 10.

•           You have premenstrual syndrome symptoms along with mood symptoms, such as extreme irritability, anxiety or depression, when you have PMDD. These symptoms usually improve within a few days after your period starts, but they can be severe enough to interfere with your life.

•           Depression can be caused by changes in your body that are caused by another medical condition. There are examples of hypothyroidism, heart disease, Parkinson's disease and cancer. When you can tackle the root cause, the feelings of sadness usually diminish.

Major depressive disorder also has specific manifestations, such as

•           Major depressive disorder that arises during the fall and winter and goes away during the spring and summer is called seasonal affective disorder.

•           Depression that happens during pregnancy is called prenatal depression. Depression that develops within four weeks of delivering a baby is called postpartum depression. Major depressive disorder with prepartum onset is referred to in the DSM.

Who is affected by Depression?

Depression can affect anyone, including children and adults. Depression is more common in women and people assigned female at birth than in men and people assigned male at birth.

Having certain traits increases your chances of falling into depression. For example, higher rates of depression are associated with the following conditions:

•           Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases are neurodegenerative conditions.

•           The heart attack.

•           Multiple neurological disorders.

•           Seizures .

  

                      How prevalent is depression?

Depression is a common illness. Researchers estimate that 7% of adults in the United States experience depression at some point in their lives. Around one in six Americans will experience depression at some point in their lives, representing more than 16% of adults in the United States.Many people don't seek medical help for depression symptoms and don't get a diagnosis. according to researchers, The United States has  estimated 4.4% of children with depression.

 Symptoms

 Depression is a persistent illness, but it's more likely to manifest in brief occurrences, lasting a few weeks or months.

Depending on the type of depression, the symptoms can vary from mild to severe. Symptoms, generally, include:

•           Feeling very sad, hopeless or concerned. It's possible for kids and teens with depression to be more irritable than sad.

•           Things that used to bring joy are not enjoyed.

•           Being easily irritated or frustrated.

•           Eating too much or too little, which may result in weight gain or weight loss?

•           Trouble sleeping (insomnia) or sleeping too much (hypersonic).

•           Having low energy or fatigue.

•           Having a difficult time concentrating, making decisions or remembering things.

•           Experiencing physical issues like headache, stomachache or sexual dysfunction.

•           Having thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

What causes depression?

Researchers don’t know the exact cause of depression. They think that several factors contribute to its development, including:

•           Brain chemistry: An imbalance of neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine, contributes to the development of depression.

•           Genetics: If you have a first-degree relative (biological parent or sibling) with depression, you’re about three times as likely to develop the condition as the general population. However, you can have depression without a family history of it.

•           Stressful life events: Difficult experiences, such as the death of a loved one, trauma, divorce, isolation and lack of support, can trigger depression.

•           Medical conditions: Chronic pain and chronic conditions like diabetes can lead to depression.

•           Medication: Some medications can cause depression as a side effect. Substance use, including alcohol, can also cause depression or make it worse.

How is depression diagnosed?

Healthcare providers diagnose depression based on a thorough evaluation of your symptoms, medical history and mental health history. They may diagnose you with a specific type of depression, such as seasonal affective disorder or postpartum depression, based on the context of your symptoms. To receive a diagnosis of depression, you must have five depression symptoms every day, nearly all day, for at least two weeks. Your provider may order medical tests, such as blood tests, to see if any underlying medical conditions are causing your depressive symptoms.

How we can treat depression?

Depression is one of the most treatable mental health conditions. Approximately 80% to 90% of people with depression who seek treatment finally respond well to treatment.

Treatment options include:

•           Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy involves talking with a mental health professional. Your therapist helps you identify and change unhealthy emotions, thoughts and behaviors. There are many types of psychotherapy cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most common. Sometimes, brief therapy is all you need. Other people continue therapy for several months or years.

•           Medication: Prescription medicine called antidepressants can help change the brain chemistry that causes depression. There are several different types of antidepressants, and it may take time to figure out the one that’s best for you. Some antidepressants have side effects, which often improve with time. If they don’t, talk to your healthcare provider. A different medication may work better for you.

•           Complementary medicine: This involves treatments you may receive along with traditional Western medicine. People with mild depression or ongoing symptoms can improve their well-being with therapies such as acupuncture, massage, hypnosis and biofeedback.

•           Brain stimulation therapy: Brain stimulation therapy helps people who have severe depression or depression with psychosis. Types of brain stimulation therapy include electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), trans cranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS).

Things you can do at home to help improve depression signs:

•           Getting regular exercise.

•           Getting quality sleep

•           Eating a healthy diet.

•           Avoiding alcohol, which is a depressant.

•           Spending time with people you care about.

Can we prevent depression?

You can’t always prevent depression, but you can help reduce your risk by: Maintaining a healthy sleep routine, Managing stress with healthy coping mechanisms, Practicing regular self-care activities such as exercise, meditation and yoga.If you’ve had depression before, you may be more likely to experience it again. If you have depression symptoms, get help as soon as possible.