Depression is
a disturbance in mood characterized by varying degrees of sadness,
disappointment, loneliness, hopelessness, self-doubt, and guilt. These
feelings can be quite intense and may persist long periods of time.
Daily activities may become more difficult, but the individual may
still be able to cope with them. It is at this level, however, that
feelings of hopelessness can become so intense.
Depression (Mood)
Disorders have been divided into unipolar and bipolar. The bipolar
type is manifested by mania or by both mania and depression. On the
other hand, unipolar depression are manifested only by depression.
Main symptoms of unipolar are:
Extreme Lethargy.
Disturbed sleep, early waking, difficulty getting to sleep and waking
up tired after a normal night of sleep.
Permanent sense of anxiety.
Sensation of utter despair, hopelessness or uselessness of everything.
Irritability and physical exhaustion.
The disturbance is not due to the direct physiological effects of
a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical
condition.
Associated
Features:
Lack of concentration.
Lack of sexual drive.
Irrational fears such as fear of death, thoughts of suicide, or
fear of committing suicide.
Differential
Diagnosis:
Some disorders have similar symptoms. The clinician, therefore, in
his diagnostic attempt, has to differentiate against the following
disorders which need to be ruled out to establish a precise diagnosis.
Sleep
Disorder.
Phobia.
Sexual
Problems.
Obsessional
Behavior.
Dementia.
Anxiety
or Stress Disorder.
Malingering.
Cause:
The cause of depression
are likely to be different for different people. Sometimes a depressive
episode can appear to come out of nowhere at a time when everything
seems to be going fine. Other times, depression may be directly related
to a significant event in our lives such as losing a loved one, experiencing
trauma, or battling a chronic illness. Other caused may involve:
Pre-menstrual
and postnatal hormone changes.
Hormone deficiencies.
Alcoholism.
Drug dependency.
Treatment:
There are a number of Mood Disorder
sub-types refer to appropriate disorder:
Bipolar
Disorder
Dysthymic Disorder
Major Depression
