Depression

Depression

Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behaviour, feelings and sense of well-being. People with depressed mood can feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, ashamed or restless. They may lose interest in activities that were once pleasurable, experience overeating or loss of appetite, have problems concentrating, remembering details or making decisions, and may contemplate, attempt or commit suicide. Insomnia, excessive sleeping, fatigue, aches, pains, digestive problems or reduced energy may also be present.

Depressed mood is a feature of some psychiatric syndromes such as major depressive disorder, but it may also be a normal reaction to life events such as bereavement, a symptom of some bodily ailments or a side effect of some drugs and medical treatments.

Symptoms

·         Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness

·         Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters

·         Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports

·         Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much

·         Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort

·         Changes in appetite — often reduced appetite and weight loss, but increased cravings for food and weight gain in some people

·         Anxiety, agitation or restlessness

·         Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements

·         Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or blaming yourself for things that aren't your responsibility

·         Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things

·         Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide

·         Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches.

Causes

·         Biological differences

·         Brain chemistry. 

·         Hormones. 

·         Inherited traits. 

Types of depression

Symptoms caused by major depression can vary from person to person. To clarify the type of depression you have, your doctor may add one or more specifiers. A specifier means that you have depression with specific features, such as:

·     Anxious distress 

·    Mixed features 

·    Melancholic features

·    Atypical features 

·    Psychotic features 

·    Catatonia

·    Peripartum onset 

·    Seasonal pattern 

Treating Depression

A depressed person needs immediate psychiatric help and close monitoring. Support from family and friends are extremely important to rehabilitate a deep depressed patient.