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Depression Information

Depression, as defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary: "a psychoneurotic or psychotic disorder marked especially by sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration, a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal tendencies."

Depression is a major disease, especially in the United States. Most people have gone through some form of depression in their lives, whether it is a simple case of the blues, or a major medical depression. If depression is a worry, understanding it is the easiest way to help grasp its effects, mentally, physically, emotionally, etc. Becoming knowledgeable of the disease, its diagnosis and its treatment greatly reduce the chance of its getting worse.

Symptoms of Depression

Symptoms of depression may be hard to recognize because they can hide themselves. Also, sometimes it's hard to admit that we may be depressed. Often a third party needs to be the instigator who helps a friend or loved one to get help. Listed below are some general symptoms of depression:

Constant sad or depressed moods
Reduced energy levels
Having trouble sleeping
Pessimism
A feeling of emptiness
Feeling of worthlessness

Types of Depression

There are different types of depression, each with their own symptoms and treatments. But they all have the same basic problems.

Major depression
Dysthymic disorder
Bipolar disorder

Major Depression

Major depression is a disease that usually lasts at least two weeks in a row. These episodes can occur only a few times or up to several times in your lifetime. Symptoms include:

Feeling of worthlessness
Suicidal thoughts
Sleep deprivation
Change in weight

Dysthymia

Dysthymia is a more prolonged type of depression. It is often times less harsh than major depression. Symptoms are much the same as major depression, except suicidal tendencies are replaced with low self-esteem. This type is so slightly different from major depression that often times it can be misdiagnosed. Episodes of major depression can also occur if you have dysthymia. Then it is considered double-depression.

Bipolar Disorder, Manic Depression

The last form of depression is bipolar disorder, which used to be called manic depression. This form of depression can also include major depression. It is characterized by mood swings from frenzied activity to depression, usually with periods of normal moods in between.

Bipolar disorder causes a change in thinking, judgment and decision making. Often a bipolar person will make decisions without any regard to their consequences. These can often lead to avoidable mistakes.

Causes of Depression

There are several different things which can cause depression. Some are avoidable. Some, like heredity, are not. When trying to figure the cause of the depression, be sure to consider all sides of the story. Because many people don't attribute their symptoms to depression or admit they have it, they might not understand it correctly. Understanding the disease can help overcome it.

If major depression is evident in your family line, then this could be a reason for you being depressed. Depression, however, is not always passes on from generation to generation. Bipolar disease, generally, is not hereditary.

Usually an external factor triggers the onset of major depression. Below is a list of possible triggers:

Change in diet
Major change in lifestyle (divorce, death of a loved one, moving, new job, etc.)
Pessimistic attitude
Serious changes to your physical well-being

Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters are the chemicals in the brain that affect all these dark moods and thoughts. They are thrown off balance with depression because there is a lack of successful communication between brain cells. Fortunately, since technology and medicine have progressed, drugs have been designed to correct this messed up communication, greatly helping the neurotransmitters in the brain to function correctly.

Treatments for Depression

Psychotherapy or Counseling

Psychotherapy or counseling is the first step. This generally refers to going to a psychiatrist or psychologist to discuss your problems. These forms of therapy try to help you find and correct the cause of your depression and help you be a more positive person - no negative thinking. There are several different forms of psychotherapy out there. This is the recommended treatment before trying medication.

Antidepressants

Depression medication is a huge portion of the pharmaceutical industry. About 10% of the population has some form of depression and medicine is a key ingredient in the treatment of this disease for many. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter which is a chemical that deals with the transmission of signals in the brain from one area to anther. If the transmission is not working properly, depression can result. Because we understand how serotonin works, extremely effective medication for depression has become available.

There are many different forms of antidepressant medication out there. Doctors prescribe the best treatment on a case by case basis.

Is Depression Medicine Addictive?

A good thing about antidepressant pills is that they are not addictive. They don't act like an illegal drug or make you feel unreal. They simply adjust the serotonin to a suitable level.

Stats and Interesting Facts

15% of depressed people die from suicide
Depression is the second highest medical economic cost, after cancer
Suicide deaths linked to depression are around the same as deaths from AIDS
If you were born after World War II, you have a big chance of becoming depressed
10% of the US population has major depression