Depression- What do you think about this?

Depression is a common and serious medical condition that affects the way you feel, the way you think, and the way you act. This is a situation that needs full support from the family. It is a constant sadness and loss of interest. It is different from the mood swings that people constantly experience as a part of life. Fortunately, it could also treat. Depression causes you to feel sad and/or lose interest in the activities you once enjoyed. It can lead to various emotional and physical problems and reduces the ability to work at work and home.

Symptoms  

• Feeling sad or depressed Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed or loss of appetite Changes in appetite  
• Excessive sleep deprivation Loss of energy to sleep or increased fatigue 
• Increased in aimless physical activity (e.g., inability to stand still, speed, handwriting) or slow movements or speech (these actions are more likely to be observed by others Should be severe)
• Difficulties in thinking irrelevant or guilty, focusing or making decisions Thoughts on death or suicide

Symptoms should last at least two weeks and should indicate a change in your previous level of activity to diagnose depression. Also, it is important to rule out general medical causes as medical conditions (e.g., thyroid disorders, brain tumors) can mimic the symptoms. This can occur at any time, but usually first appears in the late teens and early 20s. Women are suffering from depression more than men. Some studies show that one-third of women experience major depression during their lifetime.

In females

Below are some symptoms of depression that tend to appear more often in females:

• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Mood swings
• Irritability

Some types are specific to females, those are,

• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
• Postpartum depression

In males

Considering details of the American Psychological Association that can see about 9% of men in the United States have feelings of depression or anxiety. Depressed men are more likely than women to drink alcohol, show anger, and take risks as a precautionary measure. 

Other symptoms in men may include: 

• Avoiding family and social situations 
• working without rest  
• uncontrolled work and family responsibilities 
• misbehavior in relationships

Risk Factors

Depression affects anyone. Even to a person living under relatively perfect conditions. This condition could cause by few factors: 

• Biochemistry: Changes in certain chemicals in the brain can contribute. 
• Genetics: This could present in families 
• Personality: People with low self-esteem, those who are easily overwhelmed by stress or generally pessimistic are more likely to suffer from depression. 
• Environmental factors: Frequent exposure to violence, neglect, abuse, or poverty can lead to depression in some people.

Types of depression

There are a few types ,

Major depression

A person who suffers from major depression constantly feels sad. They could decrease interest in the activities they used to enjoy. Treatments usually include medication and psychotherapy 

Persistent depressive disorder

Chronic depression, also known as dysthymia causes symptoms that last for at least 2 years. A person with this disorder could have episodes of major depression as well as mild symptoms.

Bipolar disorder

Depression is a common symptom of bipolar disorder, and research shows that about half of people with the disorder have symptoms. This makes it difficult to distinguish bipolar disorder from depression. What associated with bipolar disorder and what are its types? Find out here

Psychotic depression

Some people suffer from depression. Psychology can include delusions such as false beliefs and deviations from reality. It can also include magic – sensing things that do not exist.

Postpartum depression

After childbirth, many women experience what is known as “baby blues”. When hormone levels are reset after childbirth, mood swings could reverse. Postpartum depression is more severe. There is no single cause for this type and it can last for months or even years. Anyone who suffers from persistent postpartum depression should seek medical attention.

Major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern

Formerly known as seasonal effects disorder or SAD, this depression associate with decreased daylight in the fall and winter. It responds well to the rest of the year and light therapy. People living in countries with long or severe winters seem to be most affected by this condition.

How to treat for Depression?

Between 80% and 90% of people who suffer from depression eventually respond well to treatment. Mostly every person who is in depression gets some relief from their symptoms.

Before diagnosis or treatment, a healthcare professional should perform an in-depth diagnostic evaluation, including an interview and a physical examination. In some cases, a blood test may be done to confirm that the depression did not cause by a medical condition, such as a thyroid gland or vitamin insufficiency (medical reversal relieves symptoms such as depression). This could treat and managing symptoms usually involves three components:

Support: This is a very practical solution and possible it could do by educating family members.

Psychotherapy: Talking therapy is another solution to this. Some options include face to face counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Drug treatment: Doctors could prescribe antidepressants.       

Medication: 

Brain chemistry can contribute to a person’s depression and a factor in their treatment. For this reason, antidepressant drugs could prescribe to help change the chemistry of a person’s brain. 

These medications are not sedimentary, “high” or calm. They are not a habit. In general, antidepressants do not have a stimulant effect on people who did not depressed. 

Antiseptics could show some improvement in the first week or two of use, but the full benefits could not see in two to three months. If after a few weeks the patient feels a slight improvement, his or her psychiatrist can change the dose of medication or add or replace another antidote. 

It is important to tell your doctor if you are experiencing any side effects.

 Psychiatrists generally recommend that patients continue taking the medication for six months or more after the symptoms have improved. Long-term maintenance treatments could suggest reducing the risk of future episodes for some high-risk individuals.

Psychotherapy: 

Psychotherapy or “speech therapy” is sometimes using alone to treat mild depression. For moderate to severe depression, psychotherapy is often using in combination with antidepressants. 

Further, Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been found as effective in treating depression. CBT is a treatment modality that focuses on solving current problems. CBT helps an individual to identify distorted/negative thinking aimed at changing thoughts and behaviors to respond more positively to challenges. 

Only the individual could involve in psychotherapy, but it can include others. 

For example, family or couple therapy can help solve problems in these close relationships. 

Group therapy brings together people with similar ailments in a supportive environment and can help the participant learn how others cope with similar situations. Depending on the severity of the depression, treatment can take several weeks or more. In most cases, 10 to 15 sessions can make a significant improvement

Electroconvulsive Therapy 

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is the most widely prescribing medical treatment for patients with severe depression who did not respond to other therapies. It involves a short electrical stimulation of the brain while the patient is under anesthesia. 

On average, a patient receives 6 to 12 treatments two to three times a week. It is usually managed by a team of trained medical professionals, including a psychiatrist, an anesthesiologist, and a nurse or medical assistant. ECT is using since the 1940s, and many years of research have led to great advances in recognizing its effectiveness and productivity as mainstream, unlike the “final step” treatment.