What is Depression and Major depressive disorder (MDD), Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention- Psycho Doctor

Depression and Major Depressive Disorder

Depression

Overview: 

Depression or Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a severe medical condition that affects how you feel, think, and act. It is also, luckily, treatable. Depression induces frustration and/or a lack of interest in previously enjoyed hobbies. It can trigger a slew of emotional and physical issues, as well as a reduction in your ability to function at work and at home.

In any given year, depression affects around one in every 15 adults (6.7 percent). One out of every six people (16.6%) will suffer from depression at some point in their lives. Depression can strike at any age, but it is most common in late adolescence and early adulthood. Women are more likely to suffer from depression than men. According to some reports, one-third of women would have a major depressive episode during their lifetime. When first-degree relatives (parents/children) are involved, there is a high degree of heritability (approximately 40%).

Signs of Depression-Symptoms of Depression

Depression symptoms may vary from mild to severe, and may include:

• Sadness or a down state of mind
• Loss of interest or enjoyment in previously enjoyed hobbies
• Appetite changes — weight loss or benefit that isn't linked to dieting
• Sleeping problems or sleeping too much
• Increased fatigue or a loss of energy
• Increased involuntary physical activity (e.g., inability to sit still, pacing, and handwringing) or slowed gestures or voice (these actions must be severe enough to be observable by others)
• Feeling useless or remorseful
• Thinking, focusing, or making decisions are difficult.
• Suicide or death thoughts

Types of Depression

Major Depression

This could be referred to as "major depressive disorder" by the psychiatrist. If you're down most of the time, most days of the week, you may have this kind.

You can also have the following symptoms:

• Loss of fun or interest in your hobbies
• Weight gain or lose
• Having trouble falling asleep or getting sleepy throughout the day
• Feelings of restlessness and frustration, or of being physically and emotionally sluggish and slowing down
• Being exhausted and drained of energy
• Feeling useless or remorseful
• Had difficulty thinking or making decisions
• Suicidal feelings

If you have five or more of these symptoms on most days for two weeks or longer, your doctor can diagnosis you with severe depression. A depressive mood or a lack of enthusiasm in sports may be at least one of the signs.

Chat therapy may be helpful. You'll consult with a mental health provider who will support you with dealing with your depression. Antidepressant drugs may also be helpful.

Persistent Depressive Disorder

Persistent depressive disorder is described as depression that lasts for at least two years. Previously known as dysthymia (low-grade recurrent depression) and chronic severe depression, this term is often used to describe two diseases.

You can experience the following signs and symptoms:

• Changes in your eating habits (not eating enough or overeating)
• Too much or too little sleep
• Fatigue or a lack of resources
• Low self-confidence
• Had difficulty thinking or making decisions
• Feeling helpless
• Psychotherapy, medicine, or a mixture of the two may be used to treat you.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, also known as "manic depression," is characterised by mood swings that vary from high energy and a "strong" mood to low energy and a "depressive" mood.

When you're in the low point, you'll have major depressive symptoms.

Medications can help you manage your mood swings. Your doctor can recommend a mood stabiliser, such as lithium, if you're in a high or low mood. The FDA has licenced three drugs to support people who are depressed:

1. Seroquel 
2. Latuda 
3. Combination of olanzapine and fluoxetine

Traditional antidepressants aren't often recommended as first-line therapies for bipolar depression because tests indicate that they're little better than a placebo (a candy pill) at treating depression in individuals with the condition. In addition, certain conventional antidepressants may raise the risk of triggering a "high" period of illness, or increasing the likelihood of experiencing more episodes over time, in a small percentage of people with bipolar disorder. Psychotherapy will also assist you and your family in coping.

Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of major depression that occurs more often during the winter months, as the days become shorter and the amount of sunshine available decreases. In the spring and summer, it usually goes down. Antidepressants can benefit patients with SAD. Light therapy will also help. You'll need to spend 15-30 minutes per day in front of a special bright light box.

Psychotic Depression

People with bipolar illness experience major depressive symptoms as well as "psychotic" symptoms, such as:

• Hallucinations (seeing or hearing images that aren't there) are a form of hallucination.
• Imaginations (false beliefs)
• a feeling of unease (wrongly believing that others are trying to harm you)

Peripartum or Postpartum Depression

Peripartum depression is described as significant depression in the weeks and months following childbirth. Antidepressant medications can work in the same way as they can in the treatment of severe depression that is unrelated to childbirth.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder(PMDD)

At the start of their cycle, women with PMDD experience depression and other symptoms.

You can also have the following symptoms in addition to depression:

• Swings of mood
• Irritableness
• apprehension
• Concentration issues
• Tiredness
• Changes in your appetite or sleeping patterns
• Feelings of impending doom

PMDD may be treated with antidepressants or, in some cases, oral contraceptives.with a combination of psychiatric and antipsychotic medicines. ECT is also a possibility.

Situational Depression

In psychology, this isn't a scientific word. However, you can feel sad if you're having trouble dealing with a traumatic occurrence in your life, such as a family death, breakup, or work loss. This is known as "panic response syndrome" by the doctor.

Psychotherapy will also assist you with overcoming a depressive episode brought about by a traumatic situation.

Atypical Depression

This is not the same as the constant sadness associated with traditional depression. It's known as a "specifier" that identifies a series of depressive symptoms. A good experience will temporarily increase your outlook if you have atypical depression. Other signs and symptoms of atypical depression are:

• Appetite increase
• Getting more sleep than average
• Weapons and legs feel heavier than normal
• Overly sensitive to negative feedback

Antidepressants may be of assistance. As a first-line therapy, your doctor can recommend an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor).

They might also suggest an older form of antidepressant known as an MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitor), which is a well-studied class of antidepressants for treating atypical depression.

Diagnosis of Depression

For a diagnosis of depression, symptoms must last at least two weeks and indicate a shift in the previous level of functioning.

Also, medical disorders (e.g., thyroid problems, a brain tumour, or vitamin deficiency) can mimic depressive symptoms, so it's crucial to rule out any underlying medical issues

Depression is different from Sadness, Sorrow and Bereavement

A person's grief can be exacerbated by the death of a loved one, the loss of a career, or the end of a relationship. It's normal to experience sorrow or grief in response to such circumstances. Those who have experienced a loss can describe themselves as "depressed."

However, sadness is not the same as depression. Grief is a normal and individual process that shares some of the same characteristics as depression. Grief and depression may also cause extreme sorrow and a withdrawal from daily activities. They're also distinct in a variety of ways:

In mourning, traumatic emotions come in waves, often combined with happy memories of the deceased. Mood and/or interest (pleasure) are reduced for the majority of two weeks of major depression.

Self-esteem is normally retained during grief. Feelings of worthlessness and self-loathing are typical in major depression.

When thinking about or fantasising about “joining” a deceased loved one, thoughts of death can arise. The goal of major depression is to end one's life because one feels worthless or undeserving of living, or because one is unable to cope with the pain of depression.

Grief and depression are two emotions that can coexist. The death of a loved one, the loss of a career, or becoming the victim of a physical attack or a major disaster can all contribute to depression in some people. Grief that is accompanied by depression is more severe and lasts longer than grief that is not accompanied by depression.

It's important to distinguish between grief and depression so that people can get the care, support, and treatment they need.

Risk Factors for Depression

Depression can strike anyone, even those who seem to be in reasonably good health. Depression can be caused by a variety of causes, including:

• Biochemistry: Differences in some brain chemicals can play a role in depressive symptoms.
• Depression is a genetic condition that can run in families. If one identical twin has depression, the other has a 70% risk of developing the disease at any point in their lives.
• People with low self-esteem, who are easily overwhelmed by stress, or who are pessimistic in general tend to be more likely to suffer from depression.
• Continuous exposure to crime, neglect, corruption, or poverty may make some people more vulnerable to depression.

How to Treat Depression

Depression is one of the most easily treated mental conditions. About 80% and 90% of people with depression react well to therapy in the long run. Almost all patients experience some improvement in their symptoms.

A detailed medical assessment, including an interview and a physical examination, should be conducted by a health practitioner prior to a diagnosis or treatment. A blood test may be required in some cases to ensure that the depression is not caused by a medical condition such as a thyroid disorder or a vitamin deficiency (reversing the medical cause would alleviate the depression-like symptoms).

With the aim of arriving at a diagnosis and preparing a course of action, the assessment will identify potential symptoms and examine medical and family history, as well as cultural and environmental influences.

Medication: 

An individual's brain chemistry can play a role in their depression and treatment. As a consequence, antidepressants can be administered to assist in the alteration of one's brain chemistry. There are no sedatives, "uppers," or tranquillizers in these drugs. They do not develop a habit. Antidepressant drugs, in general, have little calming effect on people who are not depressed.

Antidepressants can provide some relief during the first week or two of use, but the full effects may take two to three months to manifest. If a patient doesn't feel better after a few weeks, his or her doctor can adjust the medication's dosage or add or substitute another antidepressant. Other psychotropic drugs can be useful in some cases. If a drug does not function or if you have side effects, it is important that you inform your doctor.

Psychiatrists typically allow patients to keep taking their medication for six months or longer after their symptoms have changed. For certain patients at high risk, longer-term preventive care might be prescribed to minimize the risk of potential episodes.

Psychotherapy

Often known as "Talk therapy," is often used alone to treat mild depression; however, it is often used in conjunction with antidepressant drugs to treat moderate to serious depression. In the treatment of depression, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been shown to be successful. CBT is a form of therapy that focuses on addressing problems in the present. CBT teaches a person to identify distorted/negative thinking and to change their thoughts and behaviors so that they can react to challenges in a more positive way.

Psychotherapy can be limited to only one person, but it can also involve others. Family or couples counselling, for example, may aid in the resolution of problems that arise in these intimate relationships. Group therapy brings people with common illnesses together in a healthy and supportive atmosphere, and it will help the client understand how others deal with similar circumstances. Treatment can take a few weeks or months, depending on the severity of the depression. In certain cases, substantial progress can be made in as little as ten to fifteen sessions.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

This is a psychiatric procedure used to treat patients with serious major depression who have failed to respond to other therapies. When the patient is sedated, a brief electrical stimulation of the brain is performed. ECT is normally performed two to three times a week for a total of six to twelve procedures. A psychiatrist, an anesthesiologist, and a nurse or physician assistant are typically part of a team of qualified medical professionals who administer it. ECT has been used since the 1940s, and years of study have contributed to significant advancements and acceptance of its efficacy as a "mainstream" treatment rather than a "last resort."

Self Help and Coping with Depression

People may do a variety of things to help alleviate the effects of depression. Daily exercise makes many people feel better and enhances their mood. Getting enough good sleep on a regular basis, maintaining a balanced diet, and avoiding alcohol (which is a depressant) can all help to alleviate depression symptoms.

Depression is a serious condition for which treatment is available. The vast majority of people with depression will be able to resolve it with proper diagnosis and care. If you're having depressive problems, the first thing you can do is visit your family doctor or a therapist. Discuss your questions and ask for a detailed review. This is a safe place to start when it comes to coping with your mental health problems.

Commonly Asked Questions about Depression

What is Post-Partum Depression?

PPD or Post Partum Depression can hit days, weeks, or months after a baby is born. Not only does PPD occur after the birth of a first child, but it can also occur after the birth of a second or subsequent child. You will experience emotions that are similar to the baby blues, such as depression, despair, fear, and crankiness, except they are far worse.

How common is Post Partum?

Since giving birth, 50 to 75 percent of new mothers suffer the "baby blues." After birth, up to 15% of these women will have a more serious and long-lasting depression known as postpartum depression. Postpartum psychosis is a more severe illness that affects one out of every 1,000 women.

What is Clinical Depression?

A depressed mood that fits the criterion for a depressive disorder as described by the DSM-IV. Clinical depression is a term used to describe depression that is a form of mental disorder rather than a regular, passing mood brought on by life events or grief.

What are the most commonly prescribed antidepressant?

SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are the most widely used antidepressants, and they include:

• Fluoxetine 
• Citalopram 
• Sertraline 
• Paroxetine 
• Escitalopram 

Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are similar to SSRIs. Venlafaxine and duloxetine are two common ones.

Bupropion differs from SSRIs and SNRIs in how it functions. It also makes people quit smoking and treats seasonal affective disorder.

Tricyclics, tetracyclics, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors are examples of older antidepressants (MAOIs). Since they cause more side effects than most drugs, they are used less often. They do, though, work well on other people.

What is Manic Depression?

Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, is a mental health disease that induces emotional spikes (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). You may feel miserable or helpless when you are depressed, and you may lose motivation or enjoyment in most things.

What is Bipolar Depression?

Bipolar disorder induces severe mood swings, with mental spikes (mania) and lows (hypomanic) depression)

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder or Seasonal Depression?

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that is attributed to seasonal changes. SAD happens at about the same times per year. If you're like the majority of SAD sufferers, your symptoms begin in the fall and last through the winter, sapping your vitality and leaving you moody. In the spring and early summer, SAD is less likely to cause depression.

What is High-Functioning Depression?

Many mental health experts believe that there is no such thing as high-functioning depression, and that the word itself is confusing. It is not recognised as a psychiatric condition by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)

The word can be deceiving and it depends on how a person understands it and how they interpret care. Many people mistake high-functioning depression for depression episodes that lack such medical signs and symptoms.

This type of depression can be called a high-functioning form of depression because it is less disabling than other types and helps a person to live a comparatively "regular" life, including sustaining relationships and dealing at work.

Many people may confuse the term with PDD, which is characterised by long periods of depression interspersed with periods of normal mood. PDD, on the other hand, is a psychiatric condition, and its effects may have a negative impact on a person's health, social life, work, and other significant aspects of their lives.

Others Related Psychology Resources

       (Books, Notes and Handouts)

1. DSM-V and Others 20 pdf Clinical Psychology Books 
2. PSY-101 Introduction to Psychology Handouts Pdf
3. PSY-101 SOLVED ASSIGNMENT VU
4. PSY 402 handouts PDF- EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
5. PSY 403 handouts PDF- SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
6. PSY-404 Solved Assignments
7. PSY 404 HANDOUT Abnormal Psychology PDF
8. PSY 405 Personality Psychology Handouts
9. PSY 406 Educational Psychology Handouts
10. PSY 407 handouts PDF- SPORT PSYCHOLOGY
11. PSY 408 handouts PDF- HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
12. PSY 409 handouts PDF- POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
13. MGT 501 handouts PDF- HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
14. PSY-502 Handouts History and System of Psychology 
15. PSY-504 Cognitive Psychology Handouts
16. PSY 505 handouts PDF- DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
17. PSY 510 Organizational Psychology Handouts
18. PSY 512 handouts PDF- GENDER ISSUES IN PSYCHOLOGY
19. PSY-513 Forensic Psychology Handouts
20. PSY 514 HANDOUTS Consumer Psychology
21. PSY 515 handouts- CROSS CULTURAL PSYCHOLOGY
22. Psy-610 Neurological Basis of Behavior
23. STA-630 RESEARCH METHODS handouts
24. PSY-631 HANDOUTS(Psychological Testing and Measurement)
25. Psy-631 Solved Assignment 1
26. Psy-631 Solved Assignment 2
27. PSY 632 handouts PDF- THEORY AND PRACTICE OF COUNSELING

Others Important Topics of Psychology

1. How to use emotional intelligence for better performance at workplace
2. How to quit smoking? in Detail Psychological methods
3. Stress Management Techniques
4. Psychotherapy- Types and Procedure
5. Borderline Personality disorder
6. Antisocial Personality Disorder
7. Histrionic Personality Disorder
8. Paranoid Personality Disorder
9. Dissociative Disorders
10. Schizophrenia in detail
11. Narcissistic Personality Disorder
12. Anxiety and Anxiety Disorder
13. Depression and Major Depressive Disorder
14. Attention-Deficit Hyperactive Disorder
15. Schizoid Personality Disorder
16. Schizotypal Personality Disorder