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Vandegna Counseling LLC
What Is Depression?
Depression (major depressive disorder) may be a common and high medical illness that negatively affects how you are feeling , the way you think that and the way you act. Fortunately, it's also treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. It can cause a spread of emotional and physical problems and may decrease a person’s ability to function at work and reception .
Depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe and may include:
Feeling sad or having a depressed mood
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting
Trouble sleeping or sleeping an excessive amount of
Loss of energy or increased fatigue
Increase in purposeless physical activity (e.g., hand-wringing or pacing) or slowed movements and speech (actions observable by others)
Feeling worthless or guilty
Difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions
Thoughts of death or suicide
Symptoms must last a minimum of fortnight for a diagnosis of depression.
Also, medical conditions (e.g., thyroid problems, a brain tumour or vitamin deficiency) can mimic symptoms of depression so it's important to rule out general medical causes.
Depression affects an estimated one in 15 adults (6.7%) in any given year. And one in six people (16.6%) will experience depression at a while in their life. Depression can strike at any time, but on the average , first appears during the late teens to mid-20s. Women are more likely than men to experience depression. Some studies show that one-third of girls will experience a serious depressive episode in their lifetime.
Depression Is Different From Sadness or Grief/Bereavement
The death of a beloved , loss of employment or the ending of a relationship are difficult experiences for an individual to endure. it's normal for feelings of sadness or grief to develop in response to such situations. Those experiencing loss often might describe themselves as being “depressed.” Do know your SELF-WORTH.
But being sad isn't an equivalent as having depression. The grieving process is natural and unique to every individual and shares a number of an equivalent features of depression. Both grief and depression may involve intense sadness and withdrawal from usual activities. they're also different in important ways:
In grief, painful feelings are available waves, often intermixed with positive memories of the deceased. In major depression, mood and/or interest (pleasure) are decreased for many of fortnight .
In grief, self-esteem is typically maintained. In major depression, feelings of worthlessness and self-loathing are common.
For some people, the death of a beloved can cause major depression. Losing employment or being a victim of a physical assault or a serious disaster can cause depression for a few people. When grief and depression co-exist, the grief is more severe and lasts longer than grief without depression. Despite some overlap between grief and depression, they're different. Distinguishing between them can help people get the assistance , support or treatment they have .
Risk Factors for Depression
Depression can affect anyone—even an individual who appears to measure in relatively ideal circumstances.
Several factors can play a task in depression:
Biochemistry: Differences in certain chemicals within the brain may contribute to symptoms of depression.
Genetics: Depression can run in families. for instance , if one monozygotic twin has depression, the opposite features a 70 percent chance of getting the illness sometime in life.
Personality: People with low self-esteem, who are easily overwhelmed by stress, or who are generally pessimistic appear to be more likely to experience depression.
Environmental factors: Continuous exposure to violence, neglect, abuse or poverty may make some people more susceptible to depression.
How Is Depression Treated?
Depression is among the foremost treatable of mental disorders. Between 80 percent and 90 percent of individuals with depression eventually respond well to treatment. most patients gain some relief from their symptoms.
Before a diagnosis or treatment, a health care provider should conduct a radical diagnostic evaluation, including an interview and possibly a physical examination. In some cases, a biopsy could be done to form sure Depression isn't thanks to a medical condition sort of a thyroid problem. The evaluation is to spot specific symptoms, medical and case history , cultural factors and environmental factors to reach a diagnosis and plan a course of action.
Medication: Brain chemistry may contribute to an individual’s depression and should factor into their treatment. For this reason, antidepressants could be prescribed to assist modify one’s brain chemistry. These medications aren't sedatives, “uppers” or tranquilizers. they're not habit-forming. Generally antidepressant medications haven't any stimulating effect on people not experiencing depression.
Antidepressants may produce some improvement within the primary week or two of use. Full benefits might not be seen for 2 to 3 months. If a patient feels little or no improvement after several weeks, his or her psychiatrist can alter the dose of the medication or add or substitute another antidepressant. In some situations other psychotropic medications could also be helpful. it's important to let your doctor know if a medicine doesn't work or if you experience side effects.
Psychiatrists usually recommend that patients still take medication for 6 or more months after symptoms have improved. Longer-term maintenance treatment could also be suggested to decrease the danger of future episodes surely people at high risk.
Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy, or “talk therapy,” is usually used alone for treatment of mild depression; for moderate to severe depression, psychotherapy is usually utilized in along side antidepressant medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been found to be effective in treating depression. CBT may be a sort of therapy focused on this and problem solving. CBT helps an individual to acknowledge distorted thinking then change behaviors and thinking.
Psychotherapy may involve only the individual, but it can include others. for instance , family or couples therapy can help address issues within these close relationships. group psychotherapy involves people with similar illnesses.
Depending on the severity of Depression , treatment can take a couple of weeks or for much longer . In many cases, significant improvement are often made in 10 to fifteen sessions.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) may be a medical treatment most ordinarily used for patients with severe major depression or manic depression who haven't skilled other treatments. It involves a quick electrical stimulation of the brain while the patient is under anesthesia. A patient typically receives ECT two to 3 times every week for a complete of six to 12 treatments. ECT has been used since the 1940s, and lots of years of research have led to major improvements. it's usually managed by a team of trained medical professionals including a psychiatrist, an anesthesiologist and a nurse or physician assistant.
Self-help and Coping
There are variety of things people can do to assist reduce the symptoms of depression. for several people, regular exercise helps create positive feeling and improve mood. Getting enough quality sleep on a daily basis, eating a healthy diet and avoiding alcohol (a depressant) also can help reduce symptoms of depression.
Depression may be a real illness and assistance is available. With proper diagnosis and treatment, the overwhelming majority of individuals with depression will overcome it. If you're experiencing symptoms of depression, a primary step is to ascertain your family physician or psychiatrist. mention your concerns and request a radical evaluation. this is often a start to addressing psychological state needs.
Related Conditions
Peripartum depression (previously postpartum depression)
Seasonal depression (Also called seasonal affective disorder)
Persistent clinical depression (previously dysthymia)
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder
Bipolar disorders
