Depression is more than just the blues. It isn't a weakness and you can't simply "snap out" of it. Depression requires treatment. Most people with depression feel better with medication, psychotherapy or both. UMANG CLINIC provides tailor made individual treatment plans for patients with depression.
At times, depression may be part of the Bipolar spectrum or commonly called Mood disorders. Bipolar disorder may also present in the phase of Mania with symptoms of elevated or euphoric mood, excessive cheerfulness, increased goal directed activities, excessive talkativeness, decreased need for sleep, grandiose ideations, etc.
When to see a doctor
If you or someone you know, feel depressed, have lost interest in previously pleasurable activities or feel like ending your life, make an appointment at UMANG CLINIC at the earliest.
All About Depression
Symptoms
Causes
Complications
Risk Factors
During episodes of depression, the following symptoms may occur :
Persistently depressed or sad mood
Lack of emotional reactivity to normally pleasurable surroundings and events
Loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities
Lack of energy, increased fatigability or marked tiredness even on just small tasks or slight effort
Reduced concentration and attention
Reduced self – esteem and self – confidence
Ideas of guilt, unworthiness or worthlessness
Ideas of helplessness and hopelessness or bleak and pessimistic views of the future
Ideas or acts of self-harm or suicide
Disturbed sleep
Decreased appetite
Unexplained physical problems such as headache, back pain, etc
Anxiety, irritability on minor provocation or restlessness
For many people with depression, symptoms usually are severe enough to cause noticeable problems in day-to-day activities, such as work, school, social activities or relationships with others. Some people may feel generally miserable or unhappy without really knowing why.
Depression symptoms in children and teens
Common signs and symptoms of depression in children and teenagers are similar to those of adults, but there can be some differences.
In younger children, symptoms of depression may include sadness, irritability, clinginess, worry, aches and pains, refusing to go to school, or being underweight.
In teens, symptoms may include sadness, irritability, feeling negative and worthless, anger, poor performance or poor attendance at school, feeling misunderstood and extremely sensitive, using recreational drugs or alcohol, eating or sleeping too much, self-harm, loss of interest in normal activities, and avoidance of social interaction.
Depression symptoms in older adults
Depression is not a normal part of growing older, and it should never be taken lightly. Unfortunately, depression often goes undiagnosed and untreated in older adults, and they may feel reluctant to seek help. Symptoms of depression may be different or less obvious in older adults, such as :
Memory difficulties or personality changes
Physical aches or pain
Fatigue, loss of appetite, sleep problems or loss of interest in sex — not caused by a medical condition or medication
Often wanting to stay at home, rather than going out to socialize or doing new things
Suicidal thinking or feelings, especially in older men
It's not known exactly what causes depression. As with many mental disorders, a variety of factors may be involved, such as :
Biological differences : People with depression appear to have certain structural changes in specific areas of the brain responsible for controlling emotions
Brain chemistry : Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring brain chemicals that likely play a role in depression. Recent research indicates that changes in the function and effect of these neurotransmitters and how they interact with neurocircuits involved in maintaining mood stability may play a significant role in depression and its treatment.
Hormones : Changes in the body's balance of hormones may be involved in causing or triggering depression. Hormone changes can result with pregnancy and during the weeks or months after delivery (postpartum) and from thyroid problems, menopause or a number of other conditions.
Inherited traits : Depression is more common in people whose blood relatives also have this condition. Researchers are trying to find genes that may be involved in causing depression.
Depression is a serious disorder that can take a terrible toll on you and your family. Depression often gets worse if it isn't treated, resulting in emotional, behavioral and health problems that affect every area of your life.
Examples of complications associated with depression include :
Excess weight or obesity, which can lead to heart disease and diabetes
Pain or physical illness
Alcohol or drug misuse
Anxiety, panic disorder or social phobia
Family conflicts, relationship difficulties, and work or school problems
Social isolation
Suicidal feelings, suicide attempts or suicide
Self-mutilation, such as cutting
Premature death from medical conditions
Depression often begins in the teens, 20s or 30s, but it can happen at any age. More women than men are diagnosed with depression, but this may be due in part because women are more likely to seek treatment.
Factors that seem to increase the risk of developing or triggering depression include :
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, including cancer, stroke, chronic pain or heart disease
Certain medications, such as some high blood pressure medications or sleeping pills (talk to your doctor before stopping any medication)
Prevention of Depression
There's no sure way to prevent depression. However, these strategies may help.
Take steps to control stress to increase your resilience and boost your self-esteem.
Regular exercise, yoga or meditation practices, reach out to family and friends especially in times of crisis, to help you weather rough spells.
Get treatment at the earliest sign of a problem to help prevent depression from worsening.
Consider getting long-term maintenance treatment to help prevent a relapse of symptoms.
Depression Diagnosis & Treatment
Following are the possible diagnosis and available treatment for Depression :
Diagnosis
Treatment
Your doctor may determine a diagnosis of depression based on :
Physical Exam / Lab tests : Your doctor may do a physical exam and ask questions about your health. In some cases, depression may be linked to an underlying physical health problem. The doctor may also ask for certain blood tests to check for Hemoglobin levels, thyroid levels, etc.
Detailed Psychiatric Evaluation : A detailed history about your symptoms will be taken and mental status examination of thoughts and behavior is noted.
Medications and psychotherapy are effective for most people with depression.Various psychotherapy techniques like Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy, Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), etc are useful. If any underlying physical illness is detected, treatment of the same is required to provide relief from or control the symptoms of depression.
