MONDAY BLUES (28)

DEPRESSION AND ITS VARIOUS FORMS.

Good morning friends,

As I mentioned in my previous blog, I am going to share some information on Depression and it’s various types. It’s really pathetic to know that people have misconception about depression and look upon it as a kind of social stigma. They tend to ignore the existence of any mental disorder, anxiety, or stress, only to be considered as normal by the two-faced society. People who are suffering from depression, also deserve respect and love from the family, friends and society at large. Making fun of their ailment or ostracizing them is a serious violation of human rights. Anyone could be a victim of depression. So, it’s time for us to recognize these signs and take necessary steps to prevent the worsening of the condition.

( Information : uniquemindcare.com and Wikipedia)

According to http://www.uniquemindcare.com, depression can be classified into seven major types:

1. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

This is also known as clinical depression and has the following symptoms:Feeling down. Absence of interest in ordinarily enjoyable activities.

Weight changes

Sleep changes

Fatigue

Feelings of remorse and worthlessness

Difficulty paying attention

Suicidal and death-related ideas.

Please contact iCall at 9152987821or Aasra at 9820466726 if you know someone or you are having the suicidal feeling. There are different contact numbers for every region in India. You can check out the website. http://www.aasra.info.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a United States-based suicide prevention network of over 200+ crisis centers that provides 24/7 service via a toll-free hotline with the number 9-8-8. It is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. (Wikipedia)

2.Persistent Depressive Disorder

(PDD)Dysthymia, now referred to as persistent depressive disorder, is a form of chronic depression that has persisted for at least two years on more days than not. It can range from mild to severe.

There may be brief times when a person does not feel depressed, but this symptom relief only lasts two months or less. Although the symptoms are widespread and persistent, they are not as severe as those of major depressive illness. They are characterized by :

Moods of sadness
Lack of enthusiasm and interest
Irritability and anger
Guilt-related emotions
Low self-esteem
Inability to fall or keep asleep
Getting too much sleep
Desperation
Fatigue and insufficient energy
Alterations in appetite
Difficulty in concentrating.

Medications and psychotherapy are used to treat people suffering from Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD). National Institute of Mental Health states that the United States had recorded 1.5% of the adults affected by PDD in the past year. 1.9% of women were affected by this disorder when compared to 1% in men and as per the researchers, 1.3% of all U.S. adults, are likely to be affected by it at some point of time.

3. Bipolar Disorder.

Manic episodes, often known as mania, are a hallmark of bipolar illness, a mental condition. These episodes can range from moderate (hypomania) to severe enough to significantly disrupt a person’s life, necessitate hospitalisation, or interfere with their perception of reality. Most people who have bipolar disorder also experience substantial depressive episodes.

People with depression frequently experience a variety of mental and physical symptoms, which may include, in addition to a gloomy mood and noticeably lessened interest in activities, they exhibit the following symptoms:

Lethargy, sleeplessness, and exhaustion.
Aches, pains, and psychomotor agitation that are not explained.
Lack of optimism and diminished self-worth
Irritation and worry.
Indecisiveness and disarray.

People with bipolar disorder are 15 times more likely to attempt suicide than people without the disease. In more severe situations, psychosis (which includes hallucinations and delusions) can also happen.

4. Postpartum Depression (PPD)

Postpartum depression (PPD), currently categorised as depression with peripartum onset, is more than just the “baby blues.”

After giving birth, mood swings, anxiety, irritability, and other symptoms are typical and may last for up to two weeks. The signs of PPD are more severe and persistent. They are :

Low mood, depressive emotions.
Extreme mood changes.
Social isolation.
Problems forming a bond with your child.
The appetite shifts.
Having no hope and feeling helpless.
Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities.
Feeling unworthy or insufficient.
Panic and anxiety attacks.
Having thoughts of injuring your baby or yourself.
Ideas of suicide.

5. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms include irritation, exhaustion, anxiety, irritability, moodiness, bloating, increased hunger, food cravings, pains, and breast tenderness.

Similar symptoms are seen in premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), although the mood-related ones are more severe.

Some signs of PMDD include:

Extreme tiredness

Sad, despondent, or critical of oneself.

Significant worry or anxiety

Mood swings, frequently accompanied with tears.

Irritability.

Inability to pay attention.

Binging or desires for food

6. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also known as major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern, is a condition where people experience despair, drowsiness, and weight gain throughout the winter but feel completely normal in the spring.

SAD is thought to be brought on by a disruption in the body’s typical circadian cycle.

Any seasonal variation in the night/day pattern can cause a disruption, which can lead to depression. This rhythm is influenced by the light entering through the eyes.

Because SAD frequently goes unreported and untreated, prevalence figures for the disorder can be challenging to determine. In regions farthest from the equator, it is more prevalent. For instance, statistics indicate that SAD affects 1% of Florida’s population; in Alaska, that percentage rises to 9%.

SAD is more prevalent in the planet’s extreme north or south, and it is frequently treated with light treatment to make up for the seasonal loss of daylight.

7. Atypical Depression.

Do you exhibit symptoms of sadness (such as binge eating, excessive sleeping, or a high threshold for rejection) but find that you instantly perk up in the presence of a happy occasion?

You could have atypical depression, which differs from what was previously thought to be the “typical” presentation of the disorder. Atypical depression is also known as depressive disorder with atypical features. A distinct set of symptoms linked to:1 are what define atypical depression.

Overeating or gaining weight.
Oversleeping Weakness, fatigue, and a sense of being “weighed down”.
Extreme sensitivity to being rejected.
Heightened reactivity.

Contrary to what the term might suggest, atypical depression is more common. People with atypical depression may respond better to the antidepressant class known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor than those with other types of depression (MAOI).

Remember, we shouldn’t ill treat someone suffering from depression. They need our help and support. Also, it’s time to stop ignoring alarming signals that could indicate the beginning of a depression. If anything is to be shunned, it’s our negative mindset towards the disease.

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