Depression is a type of mood illness that
results in a chronically depressing and uninteresting feeling. It impacts your
feelings, thoughts, and behavior and can result in a range of psychological and
medical issues. It is also referred to as major depressive disorder or clinical
depression. You could find it difficult to go about your daily business, and
occasionally you could think life isn't worth living.
Depression goes beyond a simple case of the
blues; it's not a sign of weakness, and it doesn't "snap out."
Treatment for depression might need to be ongoing. Don't give up, though.
Medication, psychotherapy, or both seem to help most people with depression
feel better.
Signs and symptoms
People usually experience more than one episode
of depression, even if it may only happen once in their lifetime. Symptoms and
signs during these episodes can happen almost every day for the most part of
the day and can include:
·
Depressing, mournful, or dismal feelings.
·
Outbursts of rage, irritation, or annoyance,
especially in relation to trivial issues.
·
A loss of enjoyment or interest in the majority
of everyday activities, including sex, hobbies, and sports.
·
Sleep disorders, such as excessive sleep or
insomnia.
·
Lack of energy and fatigue, making even simple
chores require more work.
·
A decrease in hunger and weight loss or an
increase in food cravings and weight gain.
·
Restlessness, uneasiness, or anxiety.
·
Slower speech, thought, or movement.
·
Self-blame or feelings of worthlessness, along
with a fixation on mistakes made in the past.
·
Difficulties with focus, memory,
decision-making, and thinking.
·
Regular or recurring thoughts of suicide,
attempts at suicide, or death.
·
Undiagnosed medical conditions, including
headaches or back pain.
Many individuals with depression typically
experience symptoms that are severe enough to cause difficulty in their
day-to-day activities, such as relationships with others, jobs, school, or
social activities. Some people may experience widespread misery or unhappiness
for no apparent reason.
Symptoms of depression in kids and teenagers
While there may be some variations, the common
indications and symptoms of depression in kids and teens are often the same as
those in adults.
Depressive symptoms in younger children can
include clinginess, aches and pains, impatience, melancholy, concern, refusal
to attend school, or underweightness.
Teens may experience symptoms such as
depression, anxiety, irritability, anger, a sense of worthlessness and
negativity, poor academic performance or low attendance, feeling highly sensitive
and misunderstood, abusing drugs or alcohol recreationally, binge eating or
sleeping excessively, self-harm, losing interest in routine activities, and
avoiding social situations.
Symptoms of depression in older adults
Depression is never something to be taken
lightly and is not a typical aspect of aging. Sadly, older persons with
depression frequently go undetected and untreated, and they may be unwilling to
ask for assistance. Older persons may experience various or less noticeable
symptoms of depression, such as:
·
Problems with memory or personality shifts.
·
Aches or pains in the body.
·
Weariness, appetite loss, insomnia, or lack of
desire in sex that isn't brought on by a prescription drug or medical
condition.
·
Frequently preferring to stay in instead of
venturing outside to interact with others or try new things.
·
Suicidal thoughts or emotions, particularly in
elderly males.
Symptoms of postpartum depression
At first, postpartum depression symptoms can be
confused with baby blues, but they are more severe and persistent. These can
eventually make it more difficult for you to take care of your infant and do
other everyday duties. Typically, symptoms appear in the first several weeks
following childbirth. However, they can start sooner—during pregnancy—or
later—up to a year after delivery. Postpartum depression can last for several
months if left untreated.
Symptoms of postpartum depression could include:
·
Serious mood swings or depression.
·
Weeping excessively.
·
Bonding with your newborn is difficult.
·
Removing from friends and relatives.
·
Loss of appetite or excessive overeating.
·
Insomnia, or sleeping too much, is the inability to fall asleep.
·
Extreme exhaustion or low energy.
·
Diminished enthusiasm and enjoyment for the things you once found
enjoyable.
·
Extremely agitated and angry.
·
The worry that you're a bad mother.
·
Desperation.
·
A sense of inadequacy, humiliation, remorse, or worthlessness.
·
Diminished capacity for focused thought, decision-making, or clear
thinking.
·
Anxiety.
·
Severe panic episodes and anxiety.
·
Feelings of hurting your child or yourself.
·
Persistent suicidal or death thoughts.
Symptoms of bipolar (Manic) depression
There are many types of bipolar and related
disorders:
·
Disorder Bipolar I: At least one manic
episode, which may have preceded or followed hypomanic or significant
depressive periods, has occurred in your life. Mania can occasionally result in
a detachment from reality. Psychosis is the term for this.
·
Disorder bipolar II: You have experienced
at least one major depressive episode and one episode of hypomania. You haven't
experienced a manic episode though.
·
Cyclothymic syndrome: You've gone through
multiple phases of hypomania symptoms and depressive symptoms for at least two
years, or one year in children and teens. Compared to profound depression,
these symptoms are less severe.
·
Alternative kinds: These varieties include
bipolar illness and associated disorders brought on by drugs or alcohol, or
resulting from a physical ailment like multiple sclerosis, stroke, or Cushing's
disease.
These can include sadness and mania, or hypomania,
which is a milder form of mania. Unpredictable changes in behavior and mood can
result from symptoms. This may result in significant distress and make your
life difficult.
Bipolar II illness is not a less severe
variation of bipolar I illness. It is an independent diagnostic. People with
bipolar II conditions can experience prolonged periods of depression, but the
manic episodes associated with bipolar I disorder can be severe and hazardous.
Although bipolar disorder can develop at any
age, it is typically identified in adolescence or the early 20s. Individual
differences and changes in symptoms over time are possible.
Symptoms of clinical depression
Major depressive disorder (MDD), another name
for clinical depression, is a mental illness that results in a chronically low
or sad mood and a loss of interest in once-jolly pursuits. It's also possible
for clinical depression to interfere with your appetite, sleep patterns, and
cognitive function. A diagnosis can only be made if these symptoms have persisted
for at least two weeks.
Although it is a chronic illness, episodes of
clinical depression typically endure for several weeks or months. More than one
episode is probably in your future. Permanent depressive disorder, which is
defined as mild to moderate depression lasting for two years or longer, is not
the same as this.
Clinical depression symptoms and indicators
could include:
·
Depressing, mournful, empty, or dismal feelings.
·
Outbursts of rage, irritation, or annoyance,
especially in relation to trivial issues.
·
A loss of enjoyment or interest in the majority
of everyday activities, including sex, hobbies, and sports.
·
Sleep disorders, such as excessive sleep or
insomnia.
·
Lack of energy and fatigue, making even simple
chores require more work.
·
A decrease in hunger and weight loss or an
increase in food cravings and weight gain.
·
Restlessness, agitation, or anxiety.
·
Slower speech, thought, or movement.
·
Guilt or feelings of worthlessness; a fixation
on mistakes made in the past or self-blame.
·
Difficulties focusing, thinking, remembering,
and making decisions.
·
Regular or recurring thoughts of suicide,
attempts at suicide, or death.
·
Undiagnosed medical conditions like headaches or
back pain.
Symptoms are typically severe enough to cause
issues in daily activities, such as job, school, or social interactions, or in
relationships with other people.
Children as well as adults of any age can suffer
from clinical depression. Even severe cases of clinical depression, however,
typically respond better to antidepressant drugs, psychological counseling, or
a mix of the two.
Which antidepressants should I select ?
One common option for treating depression is the
use of antidepressants. Antidepressants can lessen the symptoms of depression,
even though they might not be a solution. Your initial attempt at an
antidepressant might be successful. However, you might need to try another if
it doesn't help your symptoms or if you find the side effects bothersome.
Thus, persevere. There are a variety of
antidepressant options available, so it's likely that you'll discover one that
suits your needs. Additionally, a mix of medications might be a possibility at
times.
Choosing an appropriate antidepressant:
Antidepressants come in a variety of forms, each
with a unique side effect profile and mode of action. Your doctor may take into
account the following factors when determining which antidepressant is most
likely to be effective for you:
·
The specific symptoms you experience.
·
Potential negative consequences.
·
If it was successful for a close relative.
·
Interactions between medications.
·
Being pregnant or nursing.
·
Other medical issues.
·
The price and coverage of health insurance.
When to visit a physician
As soon as you can, schedule a visit with your
physician or mental health specialist if you're experiencing depression. Speak
with a friend or loved one, a medical professional, a clergyman, or anyone else
you trust if you're hesitant to get therapy.