In this Article:

• Understanding Depression
• Three Major Types Of Depression
• Overview of Depression
• Depression in Women
• Depression in Men
• Depression in Children
• Diagnostic Evaluation

Understanding Depression

The vast majority of depression sufferers’ do not seek help, although it is likely that they will respond to treatment. Everyone has different symptoms and degrees of depression.

Some feel edgy and anxious, others lose concentration, whilst others have no energy or are angry all the time.

Depression is a clinical illness; it is certainly more than a feeling of being down in the dumps. It involves the body, but it can govern your mood and thought processes. It is not something that you can “snap out of.”

Three Major Types Of Depression

• Major Depression
• Dysthymia
• Bipolar Disorder

Major Depression

Major Depression is always associated with changes in brain structures or brain functions.

The symptoms interfere with the ability to work, eat, sleep, it can occur one in a lifetime or it can re-occur.

Dysthymia

Whilst not as severe as grand depression the symptoms are long term and chronic, and they do disable the sufferer from enjoying life. Many sufferers also have at least one experience of a major depression at some point in their illness.

An essential symptom for dysthymic disorder is that the sufferer must have suffered from almost daily depression for two years, but not have any of the symptoms of major depression. Physical manifestations include loss of sleep, lower self-esteem, depressed energy levels and over or under eating.

People with dysthymic disorder often report that they have never been aware of feeling depressed, and they can functional in managing their life, however it must be recognized that their symptoms are severe enough that they do interfere with life decisions.

If this condition is accompanied by a severe medical condition, then it is necessary to establish what came first the chicken or the egg. Is the physical illness causing the patient to be depressed, or is the depression leading to other symptoms.

Medication is not necessarily provided as part of the treatment, but as with other forms of depression it is imperative to have a full physical evaluation.

Bipolar Disorder

This used to be referred to as “manic Depression.” It is the least prevalent of the depressive disorder and is characterized by huge mood swings, the severe highs are called mania, and the extreme lows are called depression. They are often gradual mood changes, but they may occur quickly and dramatically.

During the manic stage the sufferer displays large amounts of energy and that may lead to the development of grandiose and impractical ideas. If it is left untreated it may lead to the development of psychosis.

Some of the symptoms are listed below, but not all sufferers will have all the symptoms, and the level of symptoms may change over time.

Depression Symptoms of Bipolar disorder

• Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
• Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex
• Decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down"
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
• Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
• Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain
• Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
• Restlessness, irritability
• Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain

Mania Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

• Abnormal or excessive elation
• Unusual irritability
• Decreased need for sleep
• Grandiose notions
• Increased talking
• Racing thoughts
• Increased sexual desire
• Markedly increased energy
• Poor judgment
• Inappropriate social behavior

Overview of Depression

Modern research is indicating that when we suffer from major physical diseases such as a stroke, a heart attack, cancer, Parkinson's disease, and certain disorders, these diseases can be accompanied by changes in our mental state. The resultant mental state impedes the bodies’ ability to recover.

Life style changes, whether welcome or not can trigger depression. We react to stresses such as dealing with relationship difficulties, job changes, financial constraints, and the fast pace of modern life. For a depressive disorder to occur there are normally genetic, environmental and psychological factor present. However reoccurrences do not need this dramatic combination of events. It is important to be aware that a history of genetic depression within your immediate family is no guarantee that you will ever suffer these symptoms yourself.

Depression in Women

Many more women than men suffer from clinical depression and modern research shows that their hormone levels make them far more vulnerable. It is not that more women than men have time to suffer from depression, or that they are more likely to get help, it is because they are more at risk of their lives being ruled by hormonal influences during menstrual cycle changes, pregnancies, miscarriages, post delivery periods, pre menstrual and menstrual changes. In addition to the hormonal factors, there are also gender differentials, women may take on disproportional responsibilities at home and work. These can include, single parenting, and sole care of dependent elderly relatives.

Hormonal changes make women extremely vulnerable after giving birth. Many societies have long claimed that eating the placenta improves woman’s’ health, but modern research has not substantiated those claims. Most women have a transient feeling of depression after birth, and this can regarded as a normal experience. However long-term depression is not, and it does need active intervention and treatment.

Depression in Men

Men do not admit to feelings of depression, they have a greater tendency to believe that

Social stigma dictates they simply cannot be depressed; and doctors are even less likely to investigate it. Despite the fact that more women than men attempt suicide, more men succeed. New research shows that depression can increase the risk of coronary heart failure, but men have a higher risk of not surviving than women.

Depression in Children

It is now recognised that more children and adolescents are suffering from all kinds of depression. However it is suggested that a psychological examination is advisable before starting any medication. A clinical evaluation may not be sufficient.

Diagnostic Evaluation

A thorough diagnostic evaluation is necessary before any treatment occurs. Certain viral infections can cause identical symptoms and these have to be ruled out. No treatment choices should be decided on until a thorough investigation has been undertaken..

Research has shown that cognitive therapy is often the best treatment for depression, as compared to medication and other forms of psychotherapy. However, many people respond better to a combination of medication and cognitive therapy. There are some people who respond positively to psychotherapy, but plateau at a mild level of depression, without complete recovery from all of the symptoms. Often, these individuals are maintained on antidepressant medication after they have completed psychological treatment. In mild cases of depression psychotherapy may be sufficient treatment without recourse to medication.