November 30, 2016 at 11:19 pm

Depression (major depressive disorder or clinical depression) is a common but serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks.

Some forms of depression are slightly different, or they may develop under unique circumstances, such as:

• Persistent depressive disorder (also called dysthymia) is a depressed mood that lasts for at least two years. A person diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder may have episodes of major depression along with periods of less severe symptoms, but symptoms must last for two years to be considered persistent depressive disorder.
• Perinatal depression is much more serious than the “baby blues” (relatively mild depressive and anxiety symptoms that typically clear within two weeks after delivery) that many women experience after giving birth. Women with perinatal depression experience full-blown major depression during pregnancy or after delivery (postpartum depression). The feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion that accompany perinatal depression may make it difficult for these new mothers to complete daily care activities for themselves and/or for their babies.
• Psychotic depression occurs when a person has severe depression plus some form of psychosis, such as having disturbing false fixed beliefs (delusions) or hearing or seeing upsetting things that others cannot hear or see (hallucinations). The psychotic symptoms typically have a depressive “theme,” such as delusions of guilt, poverty, or illness.
• Seasonal affective disorder is characterized by the onset of depression during the winter months, when there is less natural sunlight. This depression generally lifts during spring and summer. Winter depression, typically accompanied by social withdrawal, increased sleep, and weight gain, predictably returns every year in seasonal effective disorder.
• Bipolar Disorder is different from depression, but it is included in this list is because someone with bipolar disorder experiences episodes of extremely low moods that meet the criteria for major depression (called “bipolar depression”). But a person with bipolar disorder also experiences extreme high – euphoric or irritable – moods called “mania” or a less severe form called “hypomania.”

Examples of other types of depressive disorders newly added to the diagnostic classification of DSM 5 Depression (major depressive disorder or clinical depression) is a common but serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks.

• Signs and Symptoms : If you have been experiencing some of the following signs and symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, you may be suffering from depression:

• Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood. Feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism, irritability. Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness. Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities. Decreased energy or fatigue
• Moving or talking more slowly. Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions. Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping. Appetite and/or weight changes. Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts. Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and/or that do not ease even with treatment.

Not everyone who is depressed experiences every symptom. Some people experience only a few symptoms while others may experience many. Several persistent symptoms in addition to low mood are required for a diagnosis of major depression, but people with only a few – but distressing – symptoms may benefit from treatment of their “subsyndromal” depression. The severity and frequency of symptoms and how long they last will vary depending on the individual and his or her particular illness. Symptoms may also vary depending on the stage of the illness.

The Risk Factors: Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the world.. Current research suggests that depression is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors.Depression can happen at any age, but often begins in adulthood. Depression is now recognized as occurring in children and adolescents, although it sometimes presents with more prominent irritability than low mood. Many chronic mood and anxiety disorders in adults begin as high levels of anxiety in children.

Depression, especially in midlife or older adults, can co-occur with other serious medical illnesses, such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and Parkinson’s disease. These conditions are often worse when depression is present. Sometimes medications taken for these physical illnesses may cause side effects that contribute to depression. A doctor experienced in treating these complicated illnesses can help work out the best treatment strategy. Risk factors include: Personal or family history of depression.Major life changes, trauma, or stress. Certain physical illnesses and medications

Treatment and theparies: Depression, even the most severe cases, can be treated. The earlier that treatment can begin, the more effective it is. Depression is usually treated with medications, psychotherapy or a combination of the two. If these treatments do not reduce symptoms, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and other brain stimulation therapies may be options to explore.

Remember no two people are similar so will be each individuals case. Make sure you contact a Neuro psyciatrist, Psyciatrist or a Psychologist or your family doctor or a medical health professional. If you are not in a position to visit them then request a family member or friend to help you out. But make sure you get medical help and do not delay the treatment. Hope the information is useful in creating awareness as the cases of depression are going to rise exponentially around the world due to the above factors mentioned above and the new lifestyle which is going to arise.

March 6, 2017 at 10:29 pm

I have thought to highlight this article written by me again to review and share some of my experiences which I have seen people going through in their lives due to depression. While depression is a health issue which is to be seriously debated and discussed many in the world still consider it a taboo to discuss about the issue.

They feel society will look at them in a different way or they feel they may be ostracized if other people come to know of their health issue. They also feel that they may not enjoy the same respect and dignity in society which they have been receiving till the time they came to discover they are suffering from depression. There is lot of stigma attached to it.

But the good side is that another section of the society is treating it as another health issue which each and every individual will go through at some point of their life or another. They also do not shy away from approaching counselors, neuro psychiatrists, neurologists or other mental health professionals. To seek help in many cases families are also supportive and they are actually the first line of defense as the people going through this condition may or may not be able to make rational and informed judgement.

Many famous Hollywood and Bollywood film personalities have also come forward and openly informed people about what they are facing mentally. Such things go a long way in instilling confidence in public and gives hope to people suffering from depression that all is not lost and it is only a health issue like any other which is treatable.

Some of the people personally known to me who have overcome depression through medication are a homemaker, a child who lost his father at a young age and this affected his mind, a friend working in the office who had to leave work suddenly due to depression and he did not know that he had depression at that time has now become well too. A child suffering from behavioral problems having hyperactivity and ADHD  tendencies is fine after getting treatment.

These are some success stories know to me. So dear readers if anyone feels they need to get themselves or any of their family members  checked please do go and get yourself checked forget what the world thinks about as it is your health and you are responsible for your own well being. Best wishes and stay healthy.

March 9, 2017 at 4:38 pm

I think each and every person will be suffering from one kind of depression or the other. But, the severity lies in experiencing the symptoms with frequency. If one experiences the symptoms regularly for 15 or 20 days they require some consultation or treatment from a specialist. These are all due to the activities of man-made creations. In olden days people were quite happy without any mental stress. They were working, earning, and taking a pleasure spending time with their families. But, nowadays they are doing everything but for the money only. They are searching for money even while spending time with their families which is actually meant for relaxation.

March 9, 2017 at 9:30 pm

Very true all humans suffer from one  kind or other the other kind of depression in once life at one point or another. The likelihood of people suffering from this health issue has increased manifold due to the kind of lifestyle people lead and the kind of society we are in. Everything has been related to materialism or monetary benefits.

Including the fun and enjoyment which people seem to have in their life. More than 10 to 15 percent of the world population across different countries belonging to different strata of society   is suffering from depression. This percentage is going to see a jump of more than 20 to 30 percent in the next few years. This is a worrying trend for us as all age groups are covered in this.

In olden times people were more rooted to the ground and life used to go according to the biological clock which is how it should be compared to the 24 hours alive city life style we are used to. Even villages are not spared of this phenomena.  Even during olden times people did have their worries but they also had the right social systems to support them to get over it.

They got the emotional, social, psychological and physical support and it was a joint family system with extended families. They used to get good quality of deep sleep too which is very crucial for good health. Thanking you for adding value by touching upon the important aspects of the problem being faced by society in general all over the world.

March 9, 2017 at 10:06 pm

Everyone has their own struggles in life but some can handle everything that happens and tend to break down. When their mental state starts to break down into a drepression it isn’t easy to get out of. Some are constantly in treatment because they can’t get theirselves together and cope.

Other get out of the depression but tend to fall back into them.

Depression is not easy but it is real and should be taken seriously. Some people do the imaginable when under a deep depression.

March 9, 2017 at 10:57 pm

@sarah Freitas

Agree with your views it is a difficult emotional and psychological state of mind and pressure builds without our knowledge as the coping mechanisms fail and we are not aware of the changes which are taking place within us and what we actually are going through. As mentioned by you every body has his or her threshold limit. But situations and circumstances make people to take up more than what is possible by them. They feel if they work hard they can earn a livelihood which is decent which can sustain them in the long run. But many are totally ignorant of the negative effects of what they are getting into as they have not seen anyone going through it and they themselves have not had any health issues especially of this sort till that particular period. Some may stop medicines which they have to take as they feel they are fine now or they would not go to the doctor for a check up.

These people will be the bread earners of the family. And the family will also be totally ignorant of the health of the earning member as they are getting regular income and life is fine and merry. In some other cases taking the same medicines for many years and not going to the doctor also results in depression. Most of the times those who have had depression always have a chance of it recurring  or there being a relapse. Hence one should keep a watch on oneself and the family members too have to keep a watch. It is always better to be safe than to be sorry for the rest of life. Thanks for adding important inputs.

March 10, 2017 at 12:00 am

I think a lot of us are into shiny object depression. In this type of depression, you’d find that some people always compare themselves with others. This leads to more of a trouble in life than solution. I’d wonder how come they get peace. It just makes you unhappy. Some of the time you have to work hard and push your limits. And that’s all you can do. People who live good with their journey are happy in their life. But it’s not easy that way considering other people make you unhappy.

March 10, 2017 at 12:47 am

@mahesh

Very true. I have seen many people comparing themselves and their situation with that of their peers or people around them and they make themselves feel worthless as they are not having some object or thing the others are having. Like I have seen children from well to do families who compare their dresses with the ones which some one has bought new and they tell themselves that despite having so many good clothes I am not in possession of the one which so and so is wearing. This happens and reflects in many different places and situations in a variety of ways which makes the person feel downcast, even though  he or she is better off than many others in life. Rather than being  happy with the situation which they find themselves in for what they have, they crib about something which they do not seem to have.

They feel miserable all the time and also spread the same thought and vibrations around those people who are with them in their journey of life they are   toxic characters who go around spreading this quality around people who are in touch with them. It is like a case of looking whether a glass is half full or half empty and these people are the ones who fall in the second category as they see the negative aspects of each and everything first and transmit the same to others too. Thank you for the different take and  inputs provided by you.

March 10, 2017 at 3:44 am

You are absolutely right. Thus one could become unhappy.

March 10, 2017 at 2:36 pm

Appreciate you following the discussion about depression. Life is neither a bed or roses nor a crown of thorns it is what one makes his or her life to be and what one thinks about the situation which he or she is in. You win some and lose some that is what life is. People who seem to understand and appreciate this view of life seem to be better off and get on with life on a daily basis with the sweet and sour experiences which life offers one to taste.

March 13, 2017 at 5:12 pm

Unfortunately some or the other form of Depression is affecting many of us. Stressful work conditions right from School to College and further at workplace is impacting many of us negatively.

March 13, 2017 at 5:18 pm

@PEEUSH TRIKHA

I concur with what you say and agree all of us are prone to some or the other form of depression. Which creeps silently without our knowledge. As we are too busy to find time to take care of our health. The problem is our style is also unhealthy and sleep is compromised for the sake of money. This does no good to us and our families and has a very damaging effect on our life.

Especially in the long run if we do not take remedial measures we are in for the trouble of the worst kind which we would not have been expected. It is better we take our health and this condition seriously and give our mind necessary rest to see that life goes on smoothly the next day as per our routine without affecting our health in the longterm perspective. Which is vital for all of us.

March 13, 2017 at 6:30 pm

Depression could be cured through medical marijuana this time could be bought over the counter hehhe.Those depressed persons do not help themselves. They must fight it through eating foods that prevent depression like liver, spinach, cauliflower, nuts and beans.

March 13, 2017 at 9:07 pm

@cely

Very useful inputs regarding the first subject mentioned in India it is a banned substance. I do not know whether medical council of India has allowed the sale of the same for medical purposes. I have not heard of it in news papers or other places till date. They fear that it could be sold across the counter or be misused.

Regarding the second option of natural cures through the use of spinach, cauliflower and other details mentioned it is very useful as those having this health issue could use the same without any worries of prescription and doctors and other such things. I feel this is the better and safest way to get cured with other remedies which are used to cure depression. Thanks for the share.