“I’m feeling, happy; wait that's just a lie I
tell myself. I’m honestly feeling empty, isolated, confused and I don't know
who I should trust in life.”
This is a tiny glance into the life of a person suffering from depression. Its hard to admit things, especially when it comes to our mental health, isn't it? Depression is not a small fluctuation in our mood but a constant of low mood and aversion
towards any type of activity. In fact the person suffering from depression
doesn't even realise but his thoughts, feelings, behaviour and sense of well
being are all getting affected.
It’s common to feel sad, anxious, worried and
even empty when you are in such a state. While it is very normal to feel down once in a
awhile, if you are perpetually sad most of the time then it probably means you
have clinical depression. You may have to seek treatment for the same and talk
to a therapist and perhaps make some adjustments and changes in your lifestyle.
The
different types of depression are:
Major Depression: As indicated by the name this type of
depression is severe. If a person experiences depression on most of the days
then the depression is called ‘major depression’. Of course, there will also be
side effects or symptoms that will also accompany this. Some of them include
feeling worthless or even guilty, having sudden weight loss or gains, having
loss of interest or pleasure in activities, having trouble falling asleep or
even feeling sleepy during the day, having thoughts of suicide, having trouble
concentrating or making decisions and feeling agitated and restless all the
time; or otherwise sluggish and slowed down mentally or physically.
Anti-depressants,
after being properly prescribed by a mental health physician can help out in
addition to regular therapy. Although its rare, if the medication and therapy
is not working the doctor may suggest:
· Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
· Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)
Persistent Depressive Disorder: Depression is most often a
chronic problem many people face. When a person suffers from depression for
over 2 years or more it is known as persistent depressive disorder. Why this
name? It's a combination between two conditions that were previously known as
dysthymia (lo-grade persistent depression) and chronic major depression. Common
symptoms for this type include: feelings of hopelessness, low self-esteem, lack
of energy or fatigue, either sleeping too MUCH or sleeping too LITTLE, trouble
making decisions and concentrating and changes in appetite (i.e. not eating
enough or over-eating). This type of depression can be treated with medication,
psychotherapy or even a combination of the two.
Bipolar Disorder: Swinging from highs of mania to lows of
depression, bipolar disorder can be very difficult to not only diagnose but
also can be of four types: When a person is in the low phase they will
experience all of the symptoms of major depression, but when they are in the
high energy- manic phase they experience all the symptoms of mania.
The 7 main signs of mania include:
1)
A
feeling of being too happy or high – for long, extended periods of time
2)
Showing
a decreased requirement for sleep
3)
Speaking
very quickly, often with thoughts raving in fast forward
4)
Feelings
of impulsivity and restlessness
5)
Feelings
of Distractibility
6)
Exhibiting
overconfidence in one’s abilities
7)
Engaging
in risky behaviour
The 7 main signs of depression include:
1) Feelings
of hopelessness and sadness for long, extended periods of time
2)
Withdrawing
from family and friends
3)
Losing
all interest in activities that were once ‘enjoyed’
4)
Feelings
of lack of energy for no apparent reason and severe fatigue
5)
Changes
in appetite
6)
Facing
problems with concentration, memory and decision making
7)
Having
thoughts of suicide or preoccupations of thoughts of death
Seasonal
Affective Disorder (SAD): Seasonal Affective Disorder is a period of depression
that strangely occurs most often during winter season (winter months). This is
the time when days are shorter and the nights are longer; but what is most
important to note is that the amount of sunlight that a person gets becomes
less and less. Although this type of
depression usually goes away in the spring or summer, if needed
anti-depressants – after being prescribed by a physician can help. Light
therapy can also help where you have to sit in front of a special bright light
box for about 15- 30 minutes EACH DAY!
Psychotic
Depression: An extremely serious mood disorder, which requires hospitalisation
people with psychotic depression have all the symptoms of depression IN
ADDITION to psychosis. Psychosis is a LOSS of CONTACT WITH REALITY. It includes
delusions, hallucinations, and false beliefs about what is taking place or who
a person is. In short, a person sees, hears, smells and even believes things
that ARE NOT real. This type of depression is extremely dangerous as it can
cause people to become suicidal.
Peripartum
(Postpartum) Depression (PMDD): Women who have major depression in the weeks
and months after childbirth may be at the risk of facing Peripartum depression.
The only way to treat this is by antidepressants, similar to treating major
depression. The woman at this time will also experience many other symptoms
such as irritability, mood swings, fatigue, anxiety, changes in appetite and
sleep patterns, trouble in concentrating and feelings of being overwhelmed.However,
oral contraceptive and antidepressant medications can treat PMDD.
Situational
Depression: Have you ever heard of something like this? Known to not even be a
technical term in psychiatry, a persona can have a depressed mood when they
face a specific stressful event in their life – such as a death a death in the
family, losing a job, a divorce, etc. It may also be known as “stress response
syndrome”. The only solution for this is psychotherapy, which will help the
person cope with the stressful situation/event.
Atypical
Depression: Known to be a subtype of major depression/dysthymic disorder,
atypical depression involves a number of symptoms such as an increased appetite
or weight gain,
marked fatigue or weakness, excessive sleep, moods that are strongly reactive to environmental circumstances, feeling of
heaviness in your arms and legs and oversensitive to criticism
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