Depressions

Depressions

                             

 Medically depression is a mental disorder that is characterized by a severe low mood,low self-esteem,and a loss of interest or pleasure in things or initially enjoyed.

The symptoms of depressions last over a long period.

Depression is thought to contribute to 50 per cent of suicides, affecting about 5-10 per cent of all women and 2-5 per cent of all men.

It affects males and females of all races, income brackets, ages, ethnicities and religious backgrounds. It is, however, twice as common in women as in men.

Signs and symptoms of clinical depression

Clinical depression is not a depressed mood that one feels for a day or so, the symptoms of actual depression last from weeks to months, and if left untreated, even years. These symptoms include:

• Very low mood
• inability to experience pleasure in things previously enjoyed like work or a hobby
• feelings of worthlessness, severe guilt and regret, hopelessness and self-hatred
• poor concentration
• reduced libido
• insomnia or sleeping too much
• lack of appetite leading to weight loss or over eating leading to weight gain
• tendency to isolate oneself from family and friends
• in extreme cases, one may experience hallucinations (seeing and hearing things that are not there, such as dead people) or delusions (strong belief about something, such as that everyone is out to get you)
• thoughts of death and suicide
• headaches, tiredness, constipation, or other unspecific symptoms
• Depression is likely to lead to difficulty performing daily activities. One may not care enough to get out of bed, get dressed, go to work or socialize.

Men and women sometimes show depression differently. Men may experience irritability, sleep problems, fatigue and loss of interest in activities they liked previously, whereas women tend to have over sadness

                                

and feelings of worthlessness and guilt when depressed.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of clinical depression may be made by any primary health care physician or a mental health specialist such as a psychiatrist or psychologist, and does not require specialised tests.

Tests, however, may be carried out to rule out other underlying causes of the depression, such as a thyroid disorder.

Treatment

Treatment for depression is very individualized and must begin as soon as diagnosis is made to ensure quality of life of the individual.

Treatment includes psychotherapy (counseling either individually or in a group by a mental health specialist), medication such as antidepressants, and in severe cases, further specialized care.

Treatment may continue for several months to a year, and each patient must fully understand this to benefit from the treatment prescribed.

Underlying risk factors such as substance abuse, chronic medical conditions and other situations would also need to be addressed.
Finally, there are some lifestyle changes that may be undertaken along with treatment, such as:

• focus on activities that make you feel better, such as hobbies
• avoid isolation by going out with friends, relatives
• join a support group to discuss and communicate your feelings
• maintain a positive outlook on life
• take part in regular exercise as it increases production of endorphins – the body’s natural feel-good hormones
• get enough rest and sleep
• Avoid alcohol and other illicit substances.