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DEPRESSION: TYPES AND SYMPTOMS

 In the following, we’ll get to know about the different types of depressions and related symptoms. Again I would like to mention here that if you’re reading this post and you feel you’re showing any of the symptoms, please do not stress out about that in that very instant and you can always consult a professional if required.

So before sharing all the information about depression, here is just a small positive quote,




So now here are some types of depression which are observed;




DYSTHYMIA: sometimes referred to as mild, chronic depression is less severe and has fewer symptoms than major depression. Abnormal functioning in brain circuits or nerve cell pathways that connect different brain regions regulating mood are also thought to be involved. Major life stressors, chronic illness, medications, and relationship or work problems may also increase the chances of dysthymia in people biologically predisposed to developing depression.

SYMPTOMS:

  • Sadness or depressed mood most of the day or almost every day.
  • Loss of enjoyment in things those were once pleasurable.
  • Major change in weight.
  • Insomnia or excessive sleep almost every day.
  • Being physically restless.
  • Fatigue or loss of energy almost every day.
  • Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness or excessive guilt almost every day.
  • Problems with concentration or making decisions almost every day.
  • Recurring thoughts of death or suicide, suicide plan, or suicide attempt.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately1.5% of adult Americans, are affected by dysthymia.

ATYPICAL DEPRESSION: People with atypical depression have often experienced depression first at an early age, during their teenage years.

People suffering from atypical depression almost show 5 out of 9 symptoms which are mentioned above.

POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION (PPD): a complex mix of physical, emotional, and behavioural changes that happen in some women after giving birth. 

PPD can be treated with medication and counselling.

The chemical changes involve a rapid drop in hormones after delivery. What is known is that the levels of estrogen and progesterone, the female reproductive hormones, increase tenfold during pregnancy. Then, they drop sharply after delivery. By 3 days after a woman gives birth, the levels of these hormones drop back to what they were before they got pregnant.

In addition to these chemical changes, the social and psychological changes of having a baby create an increased risk of depression.

SYMPTOMS:

·         Difficulty sleeping 

·         Appetite changes 

·         Excessive  fatigue 

·         Decreased  libido 

·         Frequent mood changes 

Symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) that are new rarely occur in the postpartum period (about 1%-3% of women). The obsessions are usually related to concerns about the baby's health, or irrational fears of harming the baby.

BIPOLAR DISORDER (MANIC DEPRESSION)

Bipolar disorder usually appears between ages 15 and 24 and persists through a lifetime. It's rare that newly diagnosed mania is seen in young children or in adults over age 65.

It is a complex disorder that likely stems from a combination of genetic and non-genetic factors. The mood episodes associated with it involve clinical depression, with periods of normal mood and energy in between episodes.

Bipolar disorder is a serious condition. Mania often involves sleeplessness, sometimes for days, along with hallucinations, psychosis, grandiose delusions, or paranoid rage.

The severity of mood episodes can range from very mild to extreme.

SEASONAL DEPRESSION (SAD) : is a mood disorder that happens every year at the same time. A rare form of seasonal depression, known as "summer depression," begins in late spring or early summer and ends in fall. In general, though, seasonal affective disorder starts in fall or winter and ends in spring or early summer.

Some scientists think that certain hormones made deep in the brain trigger attitude-related changes at certain times of year. One theory is that less sunlight during fall and winter leads to the brain making less serotonin.

When nerve cell pathways in the brain that regulate mood don't function normally, the result can be feelings of depression, along with symptoms of fatigue and weight gain.

WINTER SYMPTOMS

  • Less energy
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Fatigue
  • Greater appetite
  • Increased desire to be alone
  • Greater need for sleep
  • Weight gain

SUMMER SYMPTOMS

  • Less appetite
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Weight loss

 

PSYCHOTIC DEPRESSION: is a subtype of major depression that occurs when a severe depressive illness includes some form of psychosis. The psychosis could be hallucinations, delusions (such as, intense feelings of worthlessness, failure, or having committed a sin) or some other break with reality.

Psychotic depression affects roughly one out of every four people admitted to the hospital for depression.

People with psychotic depression may get angry for no apparent reason. Or they may spend a lot of time by themselves or in bed, sleeping during the day and staying awake at night.




The upcoming post will be about the myths and facts about depression.




REFERENCES:

https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/depression-symptoms-and-types

https://pulsetms.com/resources/depression-history/



 

 

 

 

 

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