So what is Depression??
Often sadness or what may also say depressed occurs in our lives every once in a while. However there is also a long term depression often known as clinical depression. This type of depression occurs every now and then in the individual who is suffering this condition. For people with clinical depression, their normal functioning is undermined to such an extent that both they and those who care about them are affected by it. Depression also means major depressive disorder that causes a constant feeling of sadness and lack of interest. Depression affects how the person feels, behaves and thinks.So from here depression can cause other people to feel depressed even when they are not.
So how common is clinical depression?
So how common is clinical depression?
- The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 6.7% of American adults have had depressive illness during the last 12 months, and 30.4% of these cases (2% of the whole adult population) have severe symptoms.
- While the National Institute of Mental Health says women are 70% more likely to develop depressive symptoms during their lifetime, an article published in JAMA Psychiatry (August 2013 issue) showed that depression affects 30.6% of men and 33.3% of women, not a statistically significant difference.
- The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE)3 estimates that in the United Kingdom 21 in every 1,000 16-to-65 year old live with major depression (17/1000 males and 25/1000 females). If "mixed depression and anxiety", a less specific and broader category is included, the prevalence rises to 98 per 1,000.
- In Australia only 1 in every five people with clinical depression is accurately diagnosed, according to the State Government of Victoria, "because depression can mask itself as a physical illness like chronic pain, sleeplessness or fatigue."
Types of depression
Treatments
- Major depressive disorder (major depression)- The patients suffer from a combination of symptoms that undermine their ability to sleep, study, work, eat, and enjoy activities they used to find pleasurable.
- Dysthymia- The patient will suffer symptoms for a long time, perhaps as long as a couple of years, and often longer. The symptoms are not as severe as in major depression - they do not disable the patient. However, people affected with dysthymic disorder may find it hard to function normally and feel well.
- Psychotic depression- When severe depressive illness includes hallucinations, delusions, and/or withdrawing from reality, the patient may be diagnosed with psychotic depression. Psychotic depression is also referred to as delusional depression.
- SAD (seasonal affective disorder)- SAD is much more common the further from the equator you go, where the end of summer means the beginning of less sunlight and more dark hours. A person who develops a depressive illness during the winter months might have SAD.
- Bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness)- Bipolar disorder is also known as manic-depressive illness. It used to be known as manic depression. It is not as common as major depression or dysthymia.
- A constant feeling of sadness, anxiety, and emptiness
- A general feeling of pessimism sets in (the glass is always half empty)
- The person feels hopeless
- Individuals can feel restless
- The sufferer may experience irritability
- Patients may lose interest in activities or hobbies they once enjoyed
- He/she may lose interest in sex
- Levels of energy feel lower, fatigue sets in
- Many people with a depressive illness find it hard to concentrate, remember details, and make decisions
- Sleep patterns are disturbed - the person may sleep too little or too much
- Eating habits may change - he/she may either eat too much or have no appetite
- Suicidal thoughts may occur - some may act on those thoughts
- The sufferer may complain more of aches and pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems. These problems do not get better with treatment.
Treatments
- Psychoanalysis
- Psychotherapy
- Share feelings with closed ones (my favorite)
- Rest
- Exercise
- Change in lifestyle
- Socialize with other people
- Medication (e.g.: Anti-depressants) {Not recommended}