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[N.B: This document gives a general overview of depression. This document in no way claims that it is 100% accurate. All information sources have been provided below. It is highly recommended that you check in with a certified expert before taking any actions in this matter.]
Depression and depressive illnesses are classified as mood disorders in the medical field, including everything from Major Depression to Dysthymia. They have several symptoms that affect people socially, occupationally, educationally, interpersonally, etc. How does one become depressed? Here’s how it works: the nerves in our brain don’t touch each other, but rather pass messages from one to the next through chemicals called neurotransmitters. We need just the right amount of this chemical between the nerves to pass the same message to the next nerve. If there isn’t enough of that chemical, the message doesn’t get passed along correctly and, in this case, depression or a depressive illness can result. When it comes to depressive disorders the chemicals most frequently out of balance are serotonin and norepinephrine.
“Depression is more than simply feeling unhappy or fed up for a few days”.
1. Major depression
People with major depression experience symptoms most of the day, every day. Like many mental health conditions, it has little to do with what’s happening around you. You can have a loving family, tons of friends, and a dream job. You can have the kind of life that others envy and still have depression.
2. Persistent depression
Persistent depressive disorder is depression that lasts for two years or more. It’s also called dysthymia or chronic depression. Persistent depression might not feel as intense as major depression, but it can still strain relationships and make daily tasks difficult.
3. Manic depression or bipolar disorder
Manic depression consists of periods of mania or hypomania, where you feel very happy, alternating with episodes of depression. Manic depression is an outdated name for bipolar disorder.
To be diagnosed with bipolar I disorder; you have to experience an episode of mania that lasts for seven days, or less if hospitalization is required. You may experience a depressive episode before or following the manic episode.
4. Depressive psychosis
Some people with major depression also go through periods of losing touch with reality. This is known as psychosis, which can involve hallucinations and delusions. Experiencing both of these together is known clinically as major depressive disorder with psychotic features. However, some providers still refer to this phenomenon as depressive psychosis or psychotic depression.
Hallucinations are when you see, hear, smell, taste, or feel things that aren’t there. An example of this would be hearing voices or seeing people who aren’t present. A delusion is a closely held belief that’s false or doesn’t make sense. But to someone experiencing psychosis, all of these things are very real and true.
5. Perinatal depression
Perinatal depression, which is clinically known as the major depressive disorder with peripartum onset, occurs during pregnancy or within four weeks of childbirth. It’s often called postpartum depression. But that term only applies to depression after giving birth. Perinatal depression can occur while you’re pregnant.
Hormonal changes that happen during pregnancy and childbirth can trigger changes in the brain that lead to mood swings. The lack of sleep and physical discomfort that often accompanies pregnancy and having a newborn doesn’t help, either.
6. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). While PMS symptoms can be both physical and psychological, PMDD symptoms tend to be mostly psychological.
These psychological symptoms are more severe than those associated with PMS. For example, some women might feel more emotional in the days leading up to their period.
But someone with PMDD might experience a level of depression and sadness that gets in the way of day-to-day functions.
7. Seasonal depression
Seasonal depression, also called seasonal affective disorder and clinically known as the major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern, is depression that’s related to certain seasons. For most people, it tends to happen during the winter months.
8. Situational depression
Situational depression, clinically known as adjustment disorder with depressed mood, looks like major depression in many respects.
9. Atypical depression
Atypical depression refers to depression that temporarily goes away in response to positive events. Your doctor might refer to it as a major depressive disorder with atypical features.
Despite its name, atypical depression isn’t unusual or rare. It also doesn’t mean that it’s more or less serious than other types of depression.
Having atypical depression can be particularly challenging because you may not always “seem” depressed to others (or yourself). But it can also happen during an episode of major depression. It can occur with persistent depression as well.
Depression in Youth
Many suicidal children and adolescents have clinical depression alone or in conjunction with other mental illnesses like anxiety disorder, attention deficit disorder, bipolar illness (manic depression), or child-onset schizophrenia. Each child’s personality, biological makeup, and environment are unique, and depression and suicidal ideation in children are complex issues involving many factors. By recognizing and treating children we can improve the chances a young person with depression can live a longer, healthier, more quality life.
VERBAL CLUES
• “I shouldn’t be here.”
• “I’m going to run away.”
• “I wish I were dead.”
• “I’m going to kill myself.”
• “I wish I could disappear forever.”
• “If a person did this or that… would he/she die?”
• “The voices tell me to kill myself.”
• “Maybe if I died, people would love me more.”
• “I want to see what it feels like to die.”
• “My parents won’t even miss me.”
• “My boy/girlfriend won’t care anyway.”
BEHAVIORAL CLUES
• Talking or joking about suicide.
• Giving away prized possessions.
• Preoccupation with death/violence; TV, movies, drawings, books, at play, music.
• High-risk behavior such as jumping from high places, running into traffic, and self-injurious behaviors (cutting, burning).
• Having several accidents resulting in injury; “close calls” or “brushes with death.”
• Obsession with guns and knives.
• Previous suicidal thoughts or attempts.
HIGH-RISK CHILDREN
• Are preoccupied with death, and don’t understand it is permanent.
• Believe a person goes to a better place after death or can come alive after dying.
• Are impulsive (act without realizing the consequences of their actions).
• Have no or little sense of fear or danger.
• Tend to have perfectionist tendencies.
• Truly feel that it would be better for everyone else if they were dead.
• Believe that if they could join a loved one who died, they would then be rid of their pain and be at peace.
• Have parents or relatives who have attempted suicide (modeling behaviors/genetic factors can be involved here).
• Are hopeless; feeling that things will never get better, that they will never feel better.
AN ATTEMPT OR SUICIDAL BEHAVIOR
• Doesn’t know why they’re doing it, but feels unable to stop it.
• May not remember the attempt when it’s over
• Feels as if they were/are in a trance.
• May think they will be rescued.
• Acting out pain because of an inability to verbalize feelings.
• Increased impulsiveness and impaired judgment, perceptions, and cognitive skills.
It is a myth that depression is part of the aging process. It is normal for people of any age to suffer from depression; this includes our elderly population. Major depression (also known as clinical depression) is a medical illness. It is a chemical imbalance in the brain and can appear in people regardless of age, race, or economic status. The illness can appear after a triggering event or for no apparent reason at all.
DEPRESSION IS TREATABLE AND SUICIDE CAN BE PREVENTED!
Nearly 90 percent of people with clinical depression can be treated successfully with medications and psychotherapy done together. Some depressions among the elderly may respond better to electroconvulsive therapy. ECT is an effective treatment that is used in extremely severe cases of major depression when very rapid improvement is necessary, or when medications cannot be used or have not worked. Improved procedures make this treatment much safer than in previous years.
Where to get help:
• Family physicians, clinics, and health maintenance organizations can provide treatment or make referrals to mental health specialists.
• Mental health specialists like psychiatrists, psychologists, family therapists, and social workers. Psychiatrists can prescribe antidepressant drugs because they are physicians. Other mental health specialists, however, often work with physicians to ensure that their patients receive the medications they need.
• Community mental health centers often provide treatment based on the patient’s ability to pay, and usually have a variety of mental health specialists.
• Hospitals and university medical schools may have research centers that study and treat depression.
Treatment for depression can involve a combination of lifestyle changes, talking therapies, and medicine. Your recommended treatment will be based on whether you have mild, moderate, or severe depression.
If you have mild depression, your doctor may suggest waiting to see whether it improves on its own, while monitoring your progress. This is known as "watchful waiting". They may also suggest lifestyle measures such as exercise and self-help groups.
Talking therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), are often used for mild depression that is not improving, or moderate depression. Antidepressants are also sometimes prescribed.
For moderate to severe depression, a combination of talking therapy and antidepressants is often recommended. If you have severe depression, you may be referred to a specialist mental health team for intensive specialist talking treatments and the prescribed medicine.
What to do:
The stigma associated with depressive illnesses can prevent people from getting help. Your willingness to talk about depression and suicide with your family members can be the first step in getting help and preventing suicide.
If anyone near you attempted to harm himself/herself:
1) Call your local emergency number or someone who can handle the situation better. 2) Stay with the person until help arrives.
3) Remove any guns, knives, medications, or other things that may cause harm.
4) listen, but don’t judge, argue, threaten, or yell.
Find all the above information and more at:
1)https://save.org/about-suicide/mental-illness-and-suicide/depression/
2)https://www.healthline.com/health/types-of-depression
3)https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression
4)https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/clinical-depression/
INSIDE THE MIND OF A DEPRESSED PERSON:
https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/what-major-depression-is-really-like
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