Major Depression and Its Complication

Depression is not due to a single cause. Generally, it is rather the result of a combination of factors such as an imbalance of brain chemicals, family history, thoughts or beliefs that increase the risk of depression and highlights of traumatic or stressful nature.

The presence in too large or too small quantity of substances responsible for sending messages in the brain is also tipped as one of the contributing factors to depression. These chemicals also help regulate our emotions, our behavior and thoughts. The way we perceive the world and what happens to us, can also contribute to depression.

Depression has a genetic component (i.e family history). While the tendency to depression may be genetically inherited, the onset of depression can be caused by many factors.

Among the triggers of depression include:

• painful or traumatic events (such as the loss of a loved one, a romantic break, a dismissal);
• medical conditions such as Parkinson's disease, stroke, lupus, hypothyroidism, chronic pain and some forms of cancer;
• the use of certain drugs, including corticosteroids, anabolic steroids, narcotics, benzodiazepines, progesterone (contained in some female hormonal pills) and illicit drugs such as amphetamines;
• alcohol, which has a depressing effect of short and perhaps even long-term.

It is important to recognize that depression is not a state which we can "fix" ourselves, and it's not because of personal weakness or lack of will to deal with the situation .

Symptoms and Complications
Although sometimes we all felt the sadness, the diagnosis of clinical depression (major depression) is placed when a person observes at least five of the symptoms listed below (one of them must be depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in relation to daily activities) most of the time for at least 2 weeks:

•     depressed mood (sadness);
•     loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities against;
•     a change in appetite or body weight changes;
•     fatigue or lack of energy;
•     insomnia (difficulty sleeping) or an excess of chronic sleep;
•     noticeable changes in the level of activity (anxious agitation or slowed reflexes);
•     feelings of worthlessness or guilt;
•     difficulty concentrating or making decisions;
•     recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.

Other symptoms of depression may occur, including:

• loss of interest in work and other activities;
• a withdrawal of avoiding family members and friends;
• irritability;
• a tendency to cry easily;
• hallucinations (perception of phenomena that do not exist in reality);
• irrational beliefs (false ideas contrary to reason);
• muscle and body pain, such as headaches, joint pain or abdominal pain (some people these symptoms rather than a feeling of sadness).

Clinical depression can be of varying severity. In its extreme form (eg. If suicidal thoughts), it can pose a danger to life and therefore requires immediate medical care.

The symptoms of other forms of depression, although they are generally lighter, can still have negative effects on daily activities and quality of life of a person.

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Major Depression Symptoms and Typology of Depression

There are some types of major depression which are characterised by its intensity. Everyone feels sadness or boredom at some point, for example after suffering a disappointment as the refusal of his application for a job. These feelings of sadness, however, are usually short-lived.

But depression is a medical condition characterized by intense feelings of sadness and despair and long term associated with other mental and physical changes. Depression is likely to affect privacy, social and professional one person.

It is estimated that 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men will experience depression at some point. Less commonly depression reaches children and adolescents than adults. In Canada, nearly 1.5 million people suffer from severe depression at any time, but less than a third of them seek medical attention.

A typology of depression
There are many types of depression, and diagnosis is mainly determined based on the nature and intensity of psychological and physical symptoms, their duration and their specific cause, when you can pinpoint.

1.Clinical Depression or Major Depressive Disorder or MDD
Clinical depression or major depressive disorder or MDD is the most important type of depression, in terms of prevalence and severity, but the symptoms and their intensity vary greatly among individuals. People with major depression do not necessarily suicidal and it could be that they have never received medical treatment. The interest that these people are in many activities and the pleasure they derive their energy level, their eating habits and phases of sleep are changing.

2. Dysthymia

Dysthymia refers to a light to moderate depression that persists for at least 2 years, and often longer. Despite the symptoms less severe than major depression, dysthymia can nevertheless affect a person's quality of life. It is often ignored that dysthymia is a medical condition that also responds favorably to treatment indicated in the case of major depression. Over time, some people with dysthymia turns at some point in major depression.

3. Bipolar Disorder, or Manic Depression

Bipolar disorder, or manic depression is characterized by alternating periods with an excited state with depressive episodes and a range of other important symptoms that do not appear in other types of depression.

4. Other Types of Depression

Other types of depression include seasonal affective disorder or SAD, psychotic depression and postpartum depression, that is to say:

SAD is a subtype of depression appears regularly at the same time each year (usually in late autumn or winter in North America);

Psychotic depression is characterized by a deep depression associated with hallucinations (perception of phenomena that do not exist in reality) or irrational beliefs (false ideas contrary to reason);

Postpartum depression, which is a subtype of depression often begins a few weeks after childbirth. It differs from the temporary state known as the "baby blues" (or baby blues) which usually occurs 24 to 72 hours after delivery. This transient condition is caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy and after childbirth and it usually disappears within one week or so. Postpartum depression lasts longer than the depression associated with "baby blues" and disrupts the emotional and social functioning of women.

In some cases, depression is associated with other chronic conditions have a negative impact on quality of life and well-being.

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Major Depression Treatment Is Needed

Major depression treatment is needed to prevent and stop the severity of major depression and severity of symptoms that tend to worsen over time. If left untreated, it is possible that depression leads to suicide.

What is major depression? 

Major depression is a melancholy condition or state of sadness that persists over time. Unlike a stroke of passenger depression, major depression can have serious consequences on the thoughts of a depressive person, his behavior, his mood and health. For still unknown reason, depression is twice as common in women than men. More than half of people who have suffered from major depression experience a relapse into depression with an intensity that varies from case to case.

Major depression, also known as severe depression, clinical depression or unipolar depression, is a form among others of depressive disorder. Other depressive disorders are dysthymia (chronic depression as less severe than major depression) and bipolar depression (depressive phase following the manic phase of bipolar disorder in).

Symptoms of major depression
The diagnosis of the first episode of major depression is not necessarily obvious when depression sets in gradually. The symptoms of major depression are usually a significant change in personality compared to the state of a person before the depression. Symptoms of major depression are:

•     A persistent sad mood
•     Irritable mood
•     Sleep disorders (insomnia or hypersomnia)
•     Of eating disorders
•     Difficulty concentrating or memory problems
•     Loss of interest and pleasure in activities that were popular before the Depression
•     Guilt or shame about his condition
•     Feeling hopeless
•     Recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts
•     Persistent physical symptoms that can not be treated as headaches, nausea and chronic pain

When several of these symptoms of major depression occur at the same time and over a period of at least 15 days, treatment and care are needed.

The causes of major depression.

There is no one single cause of major depression. Psychological, biological and environmental factors can all be causes of depression. Norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine are the three neurotransmitters (chemicals that transmit electrical signals in the brain) involved in depression. Most doctors believe that a chemical imbalance in these neurotransmitters can cause major depression. Thus, antidepressants work by restoring the balance and changing the sensitivity of the receptors that capture these chemicals.

Scientists also believe that there is a genetic predisposition to major depression. So there is a greater risk of developing depression if a history of the disease exists in the family. Significant life events like the death of a loved one, a big change, chronic stress, abuse of alcohol or drugs can also trigger episodes of depression. Some diseases such as heart disease, cancer and certain drugs may cause depression.

How to treat major depression.

Although major depression can be devastating, it is important to know that it can be cured completely. Between 80% and 90% of people diagnosed with major depression found a perfectly normal life. There are many treatments that are chosen based on the severity and symptoms of depression. The three main types of treatment for major depression are: drugs (antidepressants), psychotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy (also called "életrochocs"). The treatment strategy used is usually a combination of antidepressants and psychotherapy. The family support system is also important to treat depression, while maintaining a healthy lifestyle (diet and sport).

Antidepressants

It usually takes two to four weeks for antidepressants begin to make their effects, and sixe to 12 weeks for them to be fully effective. Research has shown that imbalances in neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine could be treated by antidepressants (for more information see our article on types of antidepressants: SSRIs, MAOIs and atypical antidepressants)

Psychotherapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy are the two main psychotherapies that treat major depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy can transform the ruminations of depression and negative thoughts into positive ones. Interpersonal therapy helps improve your relationships with others and correct relationship problems that can cause depression.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

ECT is a very effective treatment for the most severe cases of major depression. In cases where antidepressants and psychotherapy do not work to treat depression, treatment with electroconvulsive therapy can be considered as an alternative. ECT is also a solution to consider when for one reason or another the depressed person cannot take medicine (eg due to side effects of antidepressants).

The side effects of antidepressants

About 50% of people who take antidepressants suffer from side effects, especially during the first week of treatment. Side effects that are too annoying can be reduced by changing the dose of medication, changing antidepressant, or taking additional medications to treat them. In all cases, you should never change yourself the dose of your antidepressants, talk to your doctor first. 

Side effects of SSRI antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, such as Prozac, Paxil or Zoloft. The side effects are nausea, insomnia, diarrhea, restlessness and impulsivity.

Side effects of antidepressants trycycliques: dry mouth, constipation, bladder problems, blurred vision, dizziness, weight gain or weight loss.

Side effects of MAOI antidepressants: the oldest class of antidepressants, and they carry risks of hypertension that requires a very strict diet. Added to this is the risk of constipation, headache, and insomnia (among others)

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4 Major Depression Symptoms

major depression symptoms, major depressive disorder symptoms

major depression signs, major depressive disorder characteristics

How can you tell if you are depressed? Do you know any major depression symptoms? It sounds like a silly question, but a surprising number of us may not recognize the signs of depression, although one in ten will have a severe depressive episode in her life.

"Many of us are afraid to speak of depression", says Dave Gallson, Society Associate Executive Director for disorders of the Canadian humor. This stigma exacerbates depression and is actually dangerous because it hinders many people to seek help.

Alexandra Kaey of the Canadian Mental Health Association agrees: "If someone has a physical disability, no one is to blame. There has always been a stigma attached to mental health problems. Friends, family and employers can act as if it was your fault or that you do not have the stamina to cope with the vagaries of life. Feel they have nowhere to go and reproaches they do to themselves then become invisible disabilities that takes place in their whole life."

Afraid to admit a problem perceived as a sign of weakness may lead to not pay attention to the dramatic and obvious signs as much as those who are subtle and hidden. We know that the suicidal thoughts, feelings of "worthlessness" constant fatigue and isolation from friends and family are signs of depression. By cons, many of us do not realize that chronic insomnia, irrational anger and pain and persistent pain can also be good indicators of major depression symptoms.

Unlike a simple physical problem like a viral infection or a broken bone, there is no simple test for depression; diagnosis is based on a variety of symptoms. Practitioners and Therapists seek a number of signs; if someone has a half-dozen of the main symptoms that persist for more than two weeks, a diagnosis of depression is likely.

"We show all the symptoms of different ways," says Kaey. "It is not easy to diagnose and therefore do not believe to be above all that. Be careful with your emotions and your health."

Could you be depressed without you noticing it? Here are four signs or depression symptoms that could indicate that you are in depression.

1. Gain or weight loss

Depression can lead to a total lack of interest in food, so that anyone can start losing weight without even realizing it. But the opposite can also happen: to fill the emotional void, some of us are turning to and the food and gain weight.

2. Sleep Problems

Just as appetite, physical changes can swing between the two extremes. You can find quite tired shot and sleep all day, or do not sleep a wink all. A particularly common form of sleep deprivation is to wake up in the middle of the night, every night.

3. Aches & Pains

"Many people do not realize that depression comes with physical symptoms," says Gallson. Stomach discomfort, nodes in the gut, a weakened immune system (cold and constant flu), aches and pains throughout the body and exacerbated chronic health problems (such as arthritis) may appear with an episode depressed.

4. Anger and irritability

"If you are continuously depressed, you can become extremely frustated, which can manifest as anger," says Kaey. "If you have shorter tipped that small daily problems suddenly become the power to literally ruin your day, it mat be that you are in depression"

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Major Depression Symptoms

Dealing with depression symptoms can be created less difficult by using a assistance class. Having a conversation with others which can be frustrated is helpful. Many people can show you new things in regards to the condition, and assist you to learn to handle your depressive disorders.

Dealing with depressive disorders will make men and women feel like their planet is finishing. Visiting a psychiatrist or getting prescription medicines might not be alternatives you intend to check out.

Tend not to count on a crutch to eradicate your depressive disorders. Many people select alcoholic drinks to ease depression. Although this may possibly help you feel excellent, it is just subsiding your major depression briefly.

Sometimes receiving sympathy from family and friends can frequently help gas your awful conduct if you make you believe that regardless of what you do those family will invariably forgive you. It's healthier that you can focus on getting optimistic and to stay away from property on the unfavorable issues in your lifetime.

Should your mood is nearing adverse, make sure you consume 3 dishes each day. Depression may cause appetite loss, but heading with out foods can contribute to on-going major depression and less enthusiasm as well as. If you are eating improperly and not getting ample energy daily, it makes it actual difficult for your body to operate appropriately. If you eat regularly, your body receives the electricity it will require to help you feel good physically and mentally.

To defeat major depression, you have to be realistic. Consider the goals and anticipations that you have in your lifetime, and in case they aren't sensible, you need to fine-tune them to ensure they doing this. Wanting things which are not likely to happen, or seeking to obtain the extremely hard, is only going to make you dissatisfied. This may make you come to be further more stressed out.

Diet regime may well be a factor in your signs of depressive disorders. Processed foods could have a depressive impact on considered designs, making you think that you're in a loop with no way out of your signs you're experiencing. Try out avoiding fattening food items to enjoy much more healthfully.

Take into account scheduling a consultation to find out a psychological counselor. Interventions that combine prescription drugs and therapy typically produce achievement in the treatment of major depression. Incorporating these 2 kinds of treatment options is much better than making use of any one 1. Prescription drugs operates by controlling the sudden frame of mind downswings, when therapy really helps to workout your issues that lead to major depression.

Do things step by step. Depression can make it sense extremely hard or overpowering to acquire every thing done all at one time. If you focus on taking little methods and making small changes in your life, it is far from as overwhelming on you, and it will be simpler to perform your desired goals.

An antidepressant is great at rejuvenating the total amount of chemical compounds within the human brain to their optimum levels. Even so, if you would like normalcy reconditioned in your own life, you should also physical exercise and take part in therapy.

Assistance to launch hormones within your head with exercise. Brain hormones can be a stimulant that increases your mood. By merely getting up and relocating, you will probably find your depressive disorders helps in reducing up immensely. A very high vitality exercise routine gives you the best results. The exercise will help alleviate your symptoms and improve your state of health.

Having a record to show your sensation in are often very cathartic. You might feel much better when you express your feelings in a record. Documenting your emotions also permits you to acknowledge achievable styles.

Workout has advantages beyond just your health. One of the main great things about exercising might be to assist cope with depression symptoms. Getting some exercise is a wonderful way to help keep you focused entirely on some thing apart from your major depression. Exercising releases hormones to the method, improving disposition and lowering unwanted pressure. Creating and sticking with a regular exercise regimen will help you to fight depression symptoms on a regular basis.

While you are unemployed, it is possible to sometimes sense depressed. Regardless if you are the sole earner with your family members or simply just the one that adds, reduced earnings can demonstrate nerve-racking and all of-encompassing. The economic problems enhance the anxiety of trying to find a new job and supplying to your loved ones.

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Major Depression Plan

Major depression disorder, also known as clinical depression or unipolar depression, is significantly affecting the world population. The prevalence is so critical that 15 million American adults are getting affected in each year. Major depression can persistently impede the normal thoughts, behaviors, mood as well as physical health.

Common Symptoms

Major depression changes a fully functional individual quite significantly. The common symptoms are persistent feeling of sadness, irritation, lack of sleep, low appetite, loss of energy, slow movement, agitation, withdrawal, guilt feelings, feeling of hopelessness, worthlessness and emptiness, suicidal thoughts and attempts, persistent physical complications without any possible physical root.

Causes

Major depression is a complex form of depression which may occur due to psychological, biological and social factors. Chemical imbalance in the brain plays the leading role in the formation of major depression in an individual. Three neurotransmitters - norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine are crucially involved in the process. Other cause may involve genetic predisposition. In fact, many studies confirm that an individual is at higher risk for developing major depression if he or she is having a family history for the same.

Treatment

Although major depression can even toll a life, it is certainly treatable. A majority of the population can be effectively treated and can be successfully returned back to normal lives following a treatment. The treatment plan exclusively depends on the severity of the problem and individual preference. Medications, psychotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy are the three primary types of treatments typically used for treating this.

Typically four groups of antidepressants are administered for treating major depression. They are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), bupropin (wellbutrin), mirtazapine (remeron), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and non-antidepressant adjunctive agents.

Psychotherapy, especially in combination with medication, is found to be effective in treating major depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy can be used to treat mild to moderate form of major depression. By using cognitive behavioral therapy, the practitioners can be able to modify the negative thinking patterns and dissatisfying behavior in an individual. On the other hand, interpersonal therapy aids in understanding personal relationship and helps in forming a new insight for playing new life roles.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is particularly used for treating the severe form of the disorder. It is specifically considered in such circumstances where medications or psychotherapy could not be able to show any effective results or offer very slow improvement than actually expected. ECT is beneficial for people who are suffering from psychosis or have attempted suicide several times.

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Major Depression Treatment

major depression treatments, major depressive disorder treatments

treatments for major depression, treatments for major depressive disorder

Various kind of Major Depression Treatment.
What is depression, anyway? Depression is thought to be a product of both psychological and biological processes in a person's being. Stress is a vital factor in the first two episodes of depression. It is the trigger that starts the feeling of depression and it continuously feeds this until such time that depression has developed into a major stage. During the major stage, stress is no longer a factor. Genetics and temperament take the place of stress during the advanced stages of depression.

Major depression is also known as major depressive disorder. Feelings of depression are normal if they don't disrupt a person's daily activities and the depression cycle does not last more than a few days. Weeks of depression is considered as a mild form of depression that may progress to something serious, such as a unipolar depression, bipolar or manic-depressive depression or worse, psychotic depression.

Now that you know what causes major depression, you will have to take a look at the different major depression (major depressive disorder) treatments available to understand how they work and if they will work for you.

The major depression treatments described here can be categorized to fall under two major options. The first is the psychosocial therapies; the second, the medical therapies option. Psychosocial therapies include Interpersonal Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Psychoanalytically Oriented Therapy. Medical therapies include hospitalization and administration of antidepressant medications.

These are the various types of psychosocial therapies used in major depressive disorder treatment:

Interpersonal Therapy

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) is gaining popularity in the psychosocial therapies arena. It is a major depression treatment that highlights the importance of correcting present social dysfunction. It is a short-term psychotherapy lasting for about twelve to sixteen weeks. IPT focuses on present psychological problems that cause interference with social relationships.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a type of major depressive disorder treatment that deals with the pessimistic attitude of a person that leads to the feeling of depression. The theory behind this kind of therapy is that the person feels too much self-criticism and rejection. This promotes the feeling of depression and causes the person to isolate himself from the crowd, creating loneliness and more depression.

Cognitive behavioral therapy works to remove the negative thoughts a person has for himself. One method associated with it is providing take home activities that aims to break the habit of negative thinking.

Psychoanalytically Oriented Therapy

Psychoanalytically Oriented Therapy is a long and expensive mode of treating depression. The good thing about it is that it tackles the very cause of depression, digging deep into the person's thoughts in order to find out what made the person become angry with himself.

Major depressive disorder treatment in this method works in contrast with the first two types that deal with the present. Psychoanalytically Oriented Therapy works with the person's past. This kind of treatment can last up to several years, having to visit the therapist on a periodic basis.

Following are the medical therapies used in major depression treatment:

Hospitalization

Hospitalization is needed for major depressive disorder treatment under circumstances that are considered emergency. When we say emergency, it means that there is a risk of a person committing suicide or even homicide. The person becomes unable to handle his own basic necessities, such as food, shelter and clothing. It is also recommended when medical diagnostic procedure is necessary.

Antidepressant Medications
Antidepressant medications are another major depression treatment. There is still some controversy as to whether this kind of treatment can provide more benefits or injuries. This type of major depression treatment needs to be studied carefully. Most anti depression medicines have side effects that may be hard for a person to bear. Close medical assistance is needed while the person is under antidepressant medication.

All the above-mentioned major depression (major depressive disorder) treatments have been effective in relieving the depression symptoms and helping a patient get back into the track. The depressed person or the family of a depressed person will have to decide which among these types will provide wellness for the patient.

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