UNDERSTANDING DEPRESSION

 

 UNDRSTANDING DEPERESSION: symptoms, risk and how to cope up  with it

Content: overview, introduction, types of depression, signs and symptoms, treatment

Are you not feeling peaceful ,happy instead of having everything in life ??

I can totally understand this feeling as I am living with my depressed partner. He is been struggling with depression past two years .I compleletly understand how your life takes a sharp turn and things become really tiresome. In this post we will be learning together more about this condition and find ways to get out of it. You might have so many questions related to this mental condituion hwere in this post we will be trying to answers your questions.

Introduction:

 Depression is a very common mental health disorder that causes a persistent or continuous feeling of sadness and changes in how you think, sleep, eat and act.

As reported by WHO ,there are several different types. Such as bipolar depression, postpartum depression, manic depression and so many. But the good things is Depression is treatable — usually with talk therapy, medication or both.

It’s normal to feel sad over difficult life situations, such as losing your job ,facing financial loss, or may be a divorce. But depression is different in that prospect , it persists practically every day for at least two weeks and involves other symptoms than sadness alone.

 Depressed people go through a lot in his or her head unknowingly dealing with daily rask but getting break down from within. Without treatment, depression can get worse and last longer. In severe cases, patient can do self harm or death by suicide since the patient feels absolutely worthless  The good news is that treatments can be very effective in improving symptoms. Anyone can get back to normal life once they address this condition and seek help be it medical or  any life style changes.

What are the types of depression?

The American Psychiatric Association’s classifies depressive disorders as the following:

• MAJOR DEPRE4SSIVE DISORDER: This is the most common form of and severe  form of depression of all. A diagnosis of major depressive disorder means you’ve felt sad, low or worthless most days for at least two weeks while also having other symptoms such as sleep problems, loss of interest in activities or change in appetite. This is the most severe form of depression.
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• PPD This depression is of mild or moderate in nature that lasts for at least two years. The symptoms are less severe than major depressive disorder. Healthcare providers used to call PDD dysthymia.
• DMMD:  This is also known as Disruptive mood disregulation dissorder .It causes chronic, intense irritability and frequent anger outbursts in children. Symptoms usually begin by the age of 10.
• PMDD:Women gets affected by this type depression during or prior to their menstrual cycle. With PMDD, women have (PMS) symptoms along with mood symptoms, such as extreme irritability, anxiety or depression. These symptoms improve within a few days after your MENSUS starts, but they can be severe enough to interfere with your life.
• Depressive disorder due to another medical condition:  There are Many medical conditions that can create changes in your body that cause depression. Examples include HYPOTHYROIDISM  and cancer. If you’re able to treat the underlying condition, the depression usually improves as well.

There are also specific forms of major depressive disorder, including:

• SEASONAL DEPRESSION: This is a form of major depressive disorder that typically arises during the fall and winter and goes away during the spring and summer.
• ATYPICAL DEPRESSION :  This form of depresona has uncommon symptoms. Symptoms of this condition, also known as major depressive disorder with atypical features, vary slightly from “typical” depression. The main difference is a temporary mood improvement in response to positive events (mood reactivity). Other key symptoms include increased appetite and rejection sensitivity.
• prenatal and postpartum disorder : Women go through a lot in life .be it their menarche or menopause or their pregnancy. In such condition s hormonal levels go haywire not only this it sometimes leads to different forms of depression such as  Prenatal depression is depression that happens during pregnancy. Postpartum depression is depression that develops within four weeks of delivering a baby. The DSM refers to these as “major depressive disorder (MDD) with peripartum onset.”

 

Who gets depression??

Depression can affect anyone — including children and adults men women.

How common is depression?

Depression is common. Researchers estimate that nearly 7% of adults in the United States have depression every year. More than 16% of U.S. adults — around 1 in 6 people — will experience depression at some point in their lifetime. India once in every four person is suffering from some form of depression. That  too is increasing at an alarming rate.

However, researchers believe that these estimates are lower than reality, as many people don’t seek medical help for symptoms of depression and don’t receive a diagnosis especially country like India where people from rural area did not even recognises this condition that even exists.

 The scariest part is approximately 4.4% of children in the United States have depression.

 What are Signs and Symptoms of depression?

Clinical depression is a chronic condition, but it usually occurs in episodes, which can last several weeks or months.

What are the symptoms of depression?

The symptoms of depression can vary slightly depending on the type and can range from mild to severe. In general, symptoms include:

• Feeling very sad, hopeless or worried. Children and adolescents with depression may be irritable rather than sad.
• Not enjoying things that used to bring joy.
• Being easily irritated or frustrated.
• Eating too much or too little, which may result in weight gain or weight loss.
• Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
• Having a difficult time concentrating, making decisions or remembering things.
• Experiencing physical issues like headache, stomachache loss of libido
• Having thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

If you or a loved one are thinking about suicide, TALK TO THEM AND TAKE THEM TO PROFESSIONAL HELP

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 which  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 condition such as 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.

Diagnosis and Tests

How is depression diagnosed?

Healthcare providers diagnose depression based on a thorough understanding 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.

Management and Treatment

How is depression treated?

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

Treatment options include:

• Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy (talk therapy) 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 COGNITIBE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY (CBT) 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 ACCUPUNCTURE.
• Brain stimulation therapy: Brain stimulation therapy can help people who have severe depression or depression with psychosis. 
• Meditation AND YOGA: Guided meditation and daily yoga can uplift the mood and increase the level of dopamine in  your blood hence relive from  depressive symptoms.

There are also things you can do at home to help improve depression symptoms, including:

• Getting regular exercise.
• Getting quality sleep (not too little or too much).
• Eating a healthy diet.
• Avoiding alcohol, which is a depressant.
• Spending time with people you care about.

• If you have co-occurring conditions, such as other mood disorders, medical conditions DRUG ABUSE.

With proper diagnosis and treatment, the vast majority of people with depression live healthy, fulfilling lives. Depression can return after you get treatment, though, so it’s important to seek medical help as soon as symptoms begin again.

Without treatment, depression can:

• Become worse.
• Increase your chance of other health conditions, like (forgetfulness)
• Lead to the worsening of existing health conditions, like diabetes or chronic pain.
• Lead to self-harm or death.

Depression accounts for nearly 40,000 cases of suicide each year in the United States. It’s essential to get medical help as soon as possible if you’re having suicidal thoughts. I personally believe if you have not lived your life  in a right manner, you will suffer from this mental condition like always give moral heights to your actions ,give love to yourself and to others ,do not cheat and violence to anyone not even to you.

Love your self