What is Depression?

Depression is a mood condition characterized by chronic sorrow and loss of interest. It affects how you feel, think, and behave and can lead to a variety of mental and physical difficulties. It is also known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression. You may have difficulty performing routine daily activities, and you may feel as if life isn’t worth living at times.

Depression is more than just a bad mood, and it isn’t something you can “snap out of.” Depression may necessitate long-term therapy. But don’t be disheartened. Most people who suffer from depression feel better after receiving medication, psychotherapy, or both.

Types of depression

The symptoms of serious depression might differ from person to person. Your doctor may add one or more specifiers to clarify the type of depression you have. A specifier indicates that you have depression with specific characteristics,such as:

• Catatonia — depression that includes motor activity that involves either uncontrollable and purposeless movement or fixed and inflexible posture
• Mixed features — simultaneous depression and mania, which includes elevated self-esteem, talking too much and increased energy
• Melancholic features — severe depression with lack of response to something that used to bring pleasure and associated with early morning awakening, worsened mood in the morning, major changes in appetite, and feelings of guilt, agitation or sluggishness
• Atypical features — depression that includes the ability to temporarily be cheered by happy events, increased appetite, excessive need for sleep, sensitivity to rejection, and a heavy feeling in the arms or legs
• Anxious distress — depression with unusual restlessness or worry about possible events or loss of control
• Psychotic features — depression accompanied by delusions or hallucinations, which may involve personal inadequacy or other negative themes
• Peripartum onset — depression that occurs during pregnancy or in the weeks or months after delivery (postpartum)
• Seasonal pattern — depression related to changes in seasons and reduced exposure to sunlight

Symptoms of depressions

• Having difficulty falling or staying asleep?
• Feeling sad or anxious often or all the time
• Not wanting to do activities that used to be fun
• Feeling irritable‚ easily frustrated‚ or restless
• Waking up too early or sleeping too much
• Eating more or less than usual, or not eating at all
• Experiencing aches, pains, headaches, or stomach problems that do not improve with treatment
• Having trouble concentrating, remembering details, or making decisions
• Feeling tired‚ even after sleeping well
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
• Suicidal thoughts

Causes of depression

The actual cause of depression is uncertain. It might be caused by a mix of genetic, biochemical, environmental, and psychological factors. 2 Everyone is unique, however the following characteristics may enhance a person’s chances of being sad.

• Having blood relatives who have had depression
• Experiencing traumatic or stressful events, such as physical or sexual abuse, the death of a loved one, or financial problems
• Going through a major life change‚ even if it was planned
• Having a medical problem, such as cancer, stroke, or chronic pain
• Taking certain medications. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about whether your medications might be making you feel depressed.
• Using alcohol or drugs

Risk factors of depression

Depression typically develops in the adolescent, twenties, or thirties, but it can occur at any age. Women are diagnosed with depression at a higher rate than men, however this may be attributable in part to women’s desire to seek therapy.

The following factors appear to enhance the chance of acquiring or triggering depression:

• Certain personality traits, such as low self-esteem and being too dependent, self-critical or pessimistic
• Traumatic or stressful events, such as physical or sexual abuse, the death or loss of a loved one, a difficult relationship, or financial problems
• Blood relatives with a history of depression, bipolar disorder, alcoholism or suicide
• History of other mental health disorders, such as anxiety disorder, eating disorders or post-traumatic stress disorder
• Abuse of alcohol or recreational drugs
• Serious or chronic illness
• Certain medications, such as some high blood pressure medications or sleeping pills (talk to your doctor before stopping any medication)

Diagnosis of Depression

If a person feels they are depressed, they should get professional help from a doctor or mental health specialist.

A trained health expert can rule out potential reasons, provide an accurate diagnosis, and provide safe and effective therapy.

They will inquire about symptoms, such as the length of time they have been present. A doctor may also perform a checkup to rule out other health concerns and prescribe a blood test to rule out physical causes.

Treatment of depression

Depression is curable, and symptom management often consists of three components:

Support :can range from discussing practical solutions and possible causes to educating family members.

Psychotherapy: Also known as talking therapy, some options include one-to-one counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Drug treatment: A doctor may prescribe  antidepressants

Other treatment options of depression

For some people, other procedures, sometimes called brain stimulation therapies, may be suggested:

• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). In ECT, electrical currents are passed through the brain to impact the function and effect of neurotransmitters in your brain to relieve depression. ECT is usually used for people who don’t get better with medications, can’t take antidepressants for health reasons or are at high risk of suicide.
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). TMS may be an option for those who haven’t responded to antidepressants. During TMS, a treatment coil placed against your scalp sends brief magnetic pulses to stimulate nerve cells in your brain that are involved in mood regulation and depression.