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What is depression?
It’s impossible to escape life’s ups and downs. Feeling unhappy or sad in response to disappointment, loss, frustration
or a medical condition is normal. Many people use the word “depression” to explain these kinds of feelings, but
that is really situational depression, which is a normal reaction to events around us. Clinical depression, though,
overwhelms and engulfs your day to day life, interfering with your ability to work, study, eat, sleep, and have fun. It is
unrelenting, with little if any relief.
Signs and symptoms of depression
There’s a vast difference between “feeling depressed” and suffering from clinical depression. The
despondency of clinical depression is unrelenting and overwhelming. Some people describe it as “living in a
black hole” or having a feeling of impending doom. They can't escape their unhappiness and despair.
However, some people with depression don't feel sad at all. Instead, they feel lifeless and empty. In this
apathetic state, they are unable to experience pleasure. Even when participating in activities they used to
enjoy, they feel as if they're just going through the motions. The signs and symptoms vary from person to
person, and they may wax and wane in severity over time.
The Many Faces of Depression
Depression comes in many shapes and forms. In some, depression can persist at a low level for months and
even years. In others, the symptoms are so strong that life grinds to a halt and suicide can be a real concern.
Depression can be triggered or aggravated by personal and interpersonal events, hormonal changes (like after
childbirth), and can even be triggered by lack of sunlight.
Clinical (Major) Depression
Major depression is characterized by the inability to enjoy life and experience pleasure. Lack of interest in
outside activities, strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt, thoughts that life isn’t worth living, weight gain or
loss, sleep troubles- all of these are signs of major depression. These feelings normally must persist for at least
two weeks in order to be considered a major depressive episode. The symptoms can range from mild, when
you can function in life with extra effort, to severe, where you can no longer complete daily activities.
Dysthymia (recurrent, mild depression)
If you have dysthymia, you may feel like you’ve always been depressed. In dysthymia, the depressive
symptoms are not as strong as in a major depressive episode, but they last a long time, at least two years.
More days than not, you feel mildly or moderately depressed, although you may have some temporary mood
lifts. These chronic symptoms make it very difficult to enjoy life or to remember better times.
Postpartum Depression
Strong emotions after giving birth, “the baby blues”, are normal. New mothers are recovering from birth, are
most likely sleep deprived, and are adjusting to the responsibilities of parenthood. Postpartum depression,
however, is a longer lasting and more serious. What can be especially terrifying to mothers suffering from
postpartum depression are feelings of wanting to avoid or even harm the baby. Postpartum depression doesn’t
have to occur right after delivery. It can occur up to a year after childbirth.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Why do so many movies and books feature rainy days and stormy weather as gloomy? There may be a grain
of truth to this portrayal. Some people experience depressive episodes in a seasonal pattern, normally in
winter, when sunlight is limited and overcast days are frequent. This type of depression is more common in
climates with more severe winter weather patterns and limited sunlight, like the northern climates.
MANIC DEPRESSION - When Depression is Just One Side of the Coin
Manic depression, also known as bipolar disorder, is characterized by cycling mood
extremes. Episodes of depression alternate with manic episodes, which can include extreme impulsive
behavior, hyperactivity, rapid speech, and little to no sleep. Typically, the switch from one mood extreme to
the other is gradual, with each manic or depressive episode lasting for at least several weeks. Sometimes,
though, it can switch in a matter of days or hours. When depressed, a person with bipolar disorder exhibits the
usual symptoms of major depression. However, the treatment for bipolar disorder, especially using
medications, is normally different.
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