Common features of depression
Depression is our most common mental disorder. It affects about 50 million Americans, 35 million who receive some form of treatment. We can all be affected, regardless of their age or social or economic status. Although it is generally accepted that the disease is more common among women than men, may well be that the individuals involved, but that women are more likely to seek help.
Now and then,everyone feels down, to distinguish normal sadness from clinical depression is sometimes difficult. In response to life circumstances – for example the loss of a loved one or job, or illness – for all of us become sad, and some of us depressed – a condition commonly known as reactive depression. Others, particularly people with a family history of depression, depression seems to be a hereditary tendency to be depressed in the absence ofobvious external anxious or angry.
The diagnosis of depression
American Psychiatric Association has defined depression, partly as a "loss of interest or pleasure in all or almost all usual activities and recreation." As a clinical depression is usually identified by the extent to which symptoms interfere with normal function. On the contrary, the feeling of melancholy, there is a natural consequence of stressful life events or sad several transition effects. The pain is dealt with the role more or less philosophical, self-managed, and the daily routine of recovery efforts.
stress conditions that can lead to depression can occur at any age, from childhood to old age. Hereditary Depression can occur at any age, and has a tendency to return. Very often, alternating with periods of extreme euphoria – a condition often referred to as manic depression.
Diagnosis> Depression, at least four of the following symptoms must be present, most of the time in at least two weeks (except in children under 6 years of age, in which case, at least three of the four first noted, BE): ( 1) eating habits change, manifested by marked increase or decrease in appetite and a significant change of weight (2), insomnia or excessive sleepiness, (3) hyperactivity or slower traffic (4) loss of interest or like usual activities or decrease in sexual desire, (5)loss of energy or fatigue (6) feelings of worthlessness, guilt or self-reproach (7), decreased ability to concentrate or think, and (8) recurrent thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts.
Some symptoms of depression such as feelings of guilt or inadequacy, of course only for the person they encountered. But these feelings lead to changes in attitudes and behaviors that are considered friends, relatives and colleagues: a refuge from everyday liferelationships, the inability to find joy in ordinary things of life, more responsive to minor irritations of daily life, emotional instability and unexplained mood swings, difficulty concentrating, crying game, anxiety and the increasing inability to quit out of bed tomorrow today tasks ahead.
Physical symptoms may occur – insomnia, headaches, gastrointestinal disorders and in some cases a change in appetite and sexual function.
A Childof all ages can send signals to help treat depression when he or she complains of headaches and cramps without physical cause, refuses to see friends have raging tantrums for no reason, fail to school work and self-destructive.
A-PND transition – also known as "after-the-baby-blues" – is a common mode and normal, which can affect both parents. But if the new mother's feelings of helplessness or being trapped and resentful continued to the point where it is still sleeping or the child is afraid of losing face, because he believed the damage, professional help is needed.
Depression can also occur as a response – probably biochemistry – in infectious diseases such as hepatitis, mononucleosis, and tuberculosis. A number of drugs, especially central nervous system depressants, or "Downers," especially alcohol and barbiturates, among others, may also be responsible for feelings ofDepression>.
Depression Treatment
Some people with a genetic tendency to recurrent attacks of mild depression can solve the problem without drugs. They find relief from work in a meaningful and productive work, time with friends or self-scheduling regular vigorous exercise, with periods of relaxation or the best alternative medicine.
In most patients, antidepressant drugs withor followed the advice may be required. Many studies have shown that psychotherapy and medication are complementary and add value. The medicine does have an effect on specific symptoms and problems of life psychotherapy. The drugs most commonly used are:
Tricyclic antidepressants. These medications work through the central nervous system to relieve the symptoms. Most a few days or 4-6 weeks for full effectiveness. Sometricyclic antidepressants are combined with an anti-anxiety and pain are present.
Mono-oxidase (MAO). These drugs block the effects of an enzyme that helps the distribution of certain chemicals in the brain. And 'faster as tricyclic antidepressants, usually within a few days. People taking MAOIs should be careful not to eat food, tyramine – such as some types of cheese or red wine – because the combination can leaddangerous high blood pressure. They need a sheet of diet by their doctor with information about foods to avoid.
Salts of lithium. These are naturally crystalline salts, manic depression is used to treat a disease characterized by extreme mood swings for the thrill of deep depression. May be associated with an anti-depressant during the acute phase, and only taken to prevent and mood swings. The dose of lithium shouldclosely monitored by a doctor, because even a slight overdose can have an effect.
Other medical treatment is not available and can be recommended, depending on the severity and duration of depression.
A summary of
Depression can be evil is a serious disease that disturbs the ability of a person to operate and manage their lives. Fortunately, the number of effective treatment of depression and a majority of people have now developedacknowledged that a depressed person to say "buck up" is a good opportunity to do. Most cases of depression improve within a few months of treatment. Even when symptoms persist after this time, it is probably sufficient to heal, so patients can resume most normal activities, at the same time, he can learn to stressful situations in order to avoid unnecessary and achieving a greater degree of serenity individually through a fixed combination of self-consciousness,adequate and – when indicated – a program of counseling, psychotherapy or other treatment.