Depression Symptoms & Types
Depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Fortunately, it is also treatable. It causes feelings of sadness and a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease a person’s ability to function at work and at home.
Symptoms
Sadness
Hopelessness
Guilt
Moodiness
Angry outbursts
Loss of interest in friends, family and favorite activities, including sex
Trouble concentrating
Trouble making decisions
Trouble remembering
Thoughts of harming yourself
Withdrawing from people
Substance abuse
Missing work, school or other commitments
Attempts to harm yourself
Weight loss
Different types of depression
Major :
Major depressive disorder (MDD), also known simply as depression, is a mental disorder characterized by at least two weeks of low mood that is present across most situations.
Chronic :
:A chronic form of depression, dysthymia is characterized by depressed mood on most days for at least two years. On some days individuals may feel relatively fine or even have moments of joy. But the good mood usually lasts no longer than a few weeks to a few months.
Bipolar:
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.
Seasonal :
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons.SAD begins and ends at about the same times every year.
Psychotic :
Psychotic depression, also known as depressive psychosis, is a major depressive episode that is accompanied by psychotic symptoms.
Postpartum :
Postpartum depression also called postnatal depression, is a type of clinical depression which can affect both sexes after childbirth.
Substance-induced mood disorder:
:Substance-induced psychosis is a form of substance use disorder where psychosis can be attributed to substance use. It is a psychosis that results from the poisonous effects of chemicals or drugs, including those produced by the body itself.
Depression treatment tips
Learn as much as you can about your depression:
It’s important to determine whether your depression symptoms are due to an underlying medical condition. If so, that condition will need to be treated first.
Don’t rely on medications alone:
Although medication can relieve the symptoms of depression, it is not usually suitable for long-term use. Other treatments, including exercise and therapy, can be just as effective as medication, often even more so, but don’t come with unwanted side effects.
It takes time to find the right treatment:
It might take some trial and error to find the treatment and support that works best for you.
Get social support:
The more you cultivate your social connections, the more protected you are from depression. If you are feeling stuck, don’t hesitate to talk to trusted family members or friends, or seek out new connections at a depression support group.
it is a disorder of the brain. There are a variety of causes, including genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. Depression can happen at any age, but it often begins in teens and young adults. It is much more common in women. Women can also get postpartum depression after the birth of a baby.
