Depression - Symptoms & Treatment

A depressive disorder is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts. Depression is a state of sadness, melancholia or despair that has advanced to the point of being disruptive to an individual's social functioning. Depression affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. Depression strikes one in four women and one in eight men sometime during their lifetimes.

There are basically three types of Depression are :

• Major depression
• Dysthymia
• Bipolar disorder

Symptoms of Depression

Depression affects both male and female, but is more common in women. Not everyone who is depressed or manic experiences every symptom. There are many symptoms of Depression are below:

• Excessive irritation
• Changes in behaviors, energy and mood
• Less concentration
• Low self-esteem
• Poor judgments
• Sad mood
• Feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, guilt
• No interest in hobbies and activities
• Loss body weight
• Increased talking
• Social behavior is not good
• Reduction in memory

Causes of Depression

Depression involve many bipolar disorder causes of depression which is generally run in families, suggesting that a biological vulnerability can be inherited. Current research suggests possible genetic, familial, biochemical, physical, psychological, and social causes. Psychological causes may include feelings of helplessness and vulnerability, anger, hopelessness and pessimism, and low self-esteem. the main causes of Depression are show below listed.

• metabolic disturbances, such as hypoxia and hypercalcemia
• partial hospitalization treatment usually involves group therapy , individual therapy , psychopharmacology and academics.
• endocrine disorders, such as diabetes and Cushing's syndrome
• neurologic diseases, such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease
• cancer (especially of the pancreas)
• viral and bacterial infections, such as influenza and pneumonia
• cardiovascular disorders such as heart failure
• pulmonary disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• musculoskeletal disorders such as degenerative arthritis
• GI disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome
• genitourinary problems such as incontinence
• collagen vascular diseases such as lupus
• anemia's.

Treatment of Depression

Depression is difficult to treat, especially in children, adolescents, elderly patients, and those with a history of chronic disease. Drug therapy for depression includes:

• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as amitriptyline. TCAs are the most widely used class of antidepressant drugs.
• Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan). MAO inhibitors block the enzymatic degradation of norepinephrine and serotonin.
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRls), such as fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft).
• Maprotiline, trazodone (Desyrel), and bupropion (Wellbutrin) aren't chemically related to the other antidepressants.
• Physical activity and exercise may help to reduce the depression.
• Light therapy may be effective to treat any type of depression such as major depression.
• Psychiatric hospitalization is used simply to keep suicidal people safe until they cease to be dangers to themselves.
• Meditation is useful treatment to reduce the depression.