Depression is a type of mood disorder in which the emotions are elevated and sustained for a long time. Depression impairs person’s ability to move and function in the society. It also affects mental, physical and behavioral attitudes of a person adversely. Depression leads to mortality and suicidal activity. Depression can last for years if proper counseling and treatment are not given.
Depression is a type of mood disorder. There are three major types of mood disorders. These are some times also referred as different types of depression. Those are
Major depression
Major depression is a persistent depression that affects mental, physical and behavioral attitudes of a person. It affects the day to day activities of a person like eating, sleeping, concentrating on studies, job and also moving with the people in the society.
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar depression is a maniac type of depression (maniac depression). Bipolar disorder people’s mood swings between mania and depression. They experience both mania and depression episodes and symptoms alternatively called rapid cycling. In between these episodes their mood will be normal.
Dysthymia
Dysthymia is a type of depression. But it is less severe than major depression. People with dysthymia may behave normal but they may not feel good. They show symptoms like fatigue, weak, sleeping too much or less sleep, eating disorders like eating heavily or eating very less.
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Loss of interest in daily activities
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Unintentional weight loss and weight gain
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Restless, sleepless or sleeping heavily
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Loss of energy, concentration
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Unable to manage schedules and perform duties
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Irritation, angry
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Staying alone, avoiding social gatherings
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Feeling worthless, thoughts of death and suicidal attempts
Stress is one of the factors for depression. Therefore, the following stress relief steps could benefit us from depression as well.
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Make proper scheduling of day to day activities
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Take sufficient time to do things
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Do not make yourself over burdened
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Keep time to relax and sleep daily
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Practice meditation
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Take proper and systematic diet
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Take at least half an hour of aerobic exercise
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Take plenty of fluids
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Avoiding smoking and excessive drinking
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Consult doctor if you have any symptoms of depression
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Untreated depression can cause several health problems. Insomnia, indigestion, constipation, anger, restlessness, irritation are some of the complications of depression. Researchers also established the relation between heart problems, obesity, diabetes, asthma, bipolar disorder, psychic disorders and depression. In severe cases, depression can cause suicidal thinking and mortality.
Diagnosis of depression depends on the psychological diagnostic evaluations including evaluations of the persistence of depression symptoms. Your physician will conduct diagnostic evaluations based on the depression diagnostic evaluation guidelines and recommend you for the appropriate treatment.
Three types of treatments are available for depression. They are
Psychotherapy: an interpersonal, relational interventions used by psychiatrists
Pharmacotherapy: Treatment with medications
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): Convulsions and seizures are electrically induced to treat psychiatric diseases. However it is a controversial therapy.
Researchers state that some variant genes are responsible for depression and depression runs in the families. Specific defective gene was not reported.
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There are no over the counter medications for depression. Untreated depression can show severe health complications. It is important to contact your physician and psychiatrist if you think you have any symptoms of depression. Some herbal supplements, dietary supplements may be displayed, showing those may benefit you from depression. But you must seek your doctors advice for depression therapy.
Antidepressants are available through prescription. Your physician decides what types of antidepressants best suits to your condition. Normally, antidepressant therapy is started with low doses. Medications should not be terminated suddenly and without doctor’s advice.
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA), MAO inhibitors, Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and few miscellaneous agents used for the treatment of depression.These drugs act in the brain and inhibit the breakdown or reuptake of biological amines, (serotonin, nor epinephrine etc) that are responsible for the mood and well being.
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) nonspecifically target the serotonin and norepinephrine receptors and block the reuptake of bioamines, serotonin and norepinephrine. The availability of these bioamines in the brain manages the normal mood and well being in depressed persons.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO) inhibit the enzyme monoamine oxidase. Monoamine oxidase, an enzyme, is responsible for degradation of bioamines. By inhibiting this enzyme MAOs blocks the breakdown of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) nonselectively block the receptors and increase serotonin levels.
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