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Types of Depression and Recognizing Symptoms. |
| Guide to each diagnosis, and how to tell when a person is depressed. |
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 Replies: 13 — Last Post July 24 12:24pm by greatescape11
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Web Resources: Suicide Myths Dispelled, Suicide Information
USA Suicide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
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Web Resources: Drug Myths Dispelled, Drug & Alcohol Information
USA Drug Abuse Hotline: 1-800-662-4357
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( jsgirl )
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Major Depression
(Clinical Depression) Major depression is also known as clinical depression, unipolar depression, and major depressive disorder. People who experience major depression feel persistently sad. They do not take pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable. Other physical and mental problems often experienced include sleep problems, loss of appetite, inability to concentrate, memory problems, and aches and pains. People who suffer from this condition often feel worthless, helpless, and hopeless about their ability to fix things. They often welcome sleep and experience their waking life as a living nightmare. No matter how hard they try to snap out of it, they feel as though they are falling into an abyss with nothing to hold on to.
Major depression usually strikes people between the ages of 25 and 44, although it can affect any person at any age. For most people, episodes of major depression last from six to nine months. Sometimes, even if major depression goes untreated, it will run its course and leave by itself. Doctors are not sure why this happens, but it is often attributed to the body's tendency to correct abnormal situations. What Causes Major Depression The dramatic success of antidepressant drug therapy for severe major depression has made many scientists question if depression has a strong biological, rather than psychological, basis. Thus many are questioning whether genetics or stress plays the major role in causing major depression. Recent research has shown that both play a major role in major depression. Surprisingly, stress has been shown to play a major role in the patient's first two episodes of major depression, but not in later episodes. Genetics and temperament appear to play the most important role for later episodes of a patient's depression.
It appears that major depression often requires stress to "get the ball rolling", but after a few episodes, the illness develops its own momentum and no longer needs stress to "keep rolling". This is a familiar pattern seen in many medical illnesses. Thus, the treatment of major depression must address the major contribution that stress, genetics and temperament play in this disorder. Unfortunately, most current therapies lack this well-rounded approach. Symptoms of Major Depression (MDD) Five (or more) of the following symptoms have been present during the same 2-week period and represent a change from previous functioning; at least one of the symptoms is either: (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure. (Note: Do not include symptoms that are clearly due to a general medical condition, or mood-incongruent delusions or hallucinations.) -depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either subjective report (e.g., feels sad or empty) or observation made by others (e.g., appears tearful). Note: In children and adolescents, can be irritable mood. -markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day (as indicated by either subjective account or observation made by others) -significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain (e.g., a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month), or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day. Note: In children, consider failure to make expected weight gains. -insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day -psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down) -fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day -feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (which may be delusional) nearly every day (not merely self-reproach or guilt about being sick) -diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day (either by subjective account or as observed by others) -recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition (e.g., hypothyroidism).
The symptoms are not better accounted for by bereavement, i.e., after the loss of a loved one, the symptoms persist for longer than 2 months or are characterized by marked functional impairment, morbid preoccupation with worthlessness, suicidal ideation, psychotic symptoms, or psychomotor retardation. What Major Depression Is Like
Jim cannot believe the change in his personality. Ever since he lost his job and started another lower paying one, he has not been the same person. He finds himself walking around without energy to do any of the things that he used to enjoy.
Previously a hearty eater who may have been a few pounds overweight, food now has no meaning for him and he has seen his pants size diminish two sizes. His wife has also noticed the change. He no longer has any interest in sex, she has to goad him to pay attention to the kids, and he never has the energy to socialize with their friends.
He spends most of his weekends sleeping now. Jim is finding it harder and harder to get up for work and his superiors have warned him about his absentee rate. Jim often finds himself questioning the reason for going on. He believes that if it were not for his family, he would seriously consider ending it all. Acknowledgements and Thanks go to: http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/Depression/major_depression.asp For related information see the URL above.
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Who'd ever think you'd go and end up...
Like all the other guys that I've gone and fuccked?
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( jsgirl )
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Dysthymia (Minor Depression) Dysthymia is a disorder with similar, but longer-lasting and milder symptoms than clinical depression. By the standard psychiatric definition, this disorder lasts for at least two years, but is less disabling than major depression; for example, victims are usually able to go on working and do not need to be hospitalized.
About three percent of the population will suffer from dysthymia at some time - a rate slightly lower than the rate of major depression. Like major depression, dysthymia occurs twice as often in women as it does in men. It is also more common among the poor and the unmarried. The symptoms of dysthymia usually appear in adolescence or young adulthood but in some cases do not emerge until middle age. The symptoms of Dysthymia are: -poor school/work performance
-social withdrawal
-shyness
-irritable hostility
-conflicts with family and friends
-physiological abnormalities
-sleep irregularities
-parents with major depression
At least three-quarters of people with dysthymia have some other psychiatric or medical disorder as well. What Dysthymia Is Like Jill is now 42 years old and she reports never really feeling happy. She says that there were times when she felt that her life was going better than other times, but she never really remembers getting any joy out of her life. Jill reports that she is always negative about anything new that is suggested to her by others. She never really felt that any man was right for her and, as a result, Jill has been single all of her life. It is hard for her to laugh and Jill says that she's never had a sense of humor. She sighs often and always has the feeling that she is carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. She also has a chronic problem with her weight. Jill is forever on a diet, but her weight has always gone up and down like a yo-yo. She reports the need to sleep a great deal, but at times she has insomnia and walks around feeling tired all day. Jill blames this on her chronic low level of energy. She has always agonized over what for others would be simple decisions. Jill states that she hates her indecisiveness. Other people are always accusing her of spending half her day disagreeing with herself. As far back as junior high school, her guidance counselor told her that she needed to work on her low self-esteem. Jill feels that at her age, it is too late to change and she has accepted that she will always be unhappy and unfulfilled.
Jill is suffering from the milder, but longer lasting form of depression known as dysthymia. Dysthymia is also known as minor depression and is characterized by its long-lasting quality. People often suffer from this condition all of their lives. Dysthymia is typically diagnosed in people who have been experiencing its symptoms almost all day every day for two years with no greater than a two month span without the symptoms. In children and adolescents, the primary symptom is different from that of adults. Adults primarily have sadness, whereas children and adolescents often display irritability and defiance. Children also tend to do worse in school during times of depression. Besides feeling depressed, two of the following symptoms must be present for dysthymia to be diagnosed: poor appetite or overeating, problems sleeping or oversleeping, low energy, low self-esteem, poor concentration, difficulty making decisions, and feelings of hopelessness.
Dysthymia affects two to three women for every man, and is thought to begin in childhood and adolescence. Left untreated, dysthymia will usually continue through a person's life. People who have dysthymia often have other disorders such as a phobia, anxiety disorder, or a personality disorder. Acknowledgements and Thanks go to: http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/Depression/dysthymia.asp
For related information see the URL above.
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Who'd ever think you'd go and end up...
Like all the other guys that I've gone and fuccked?
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( jsgirl )
Visionary
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Manic Depression
(Bipolar Disorder) Bipolar depression is also called bipolar disorder, manic-depression, and manic-depressive illness. When a person has bipolar disorder, his moods shift between two extremes. For a period of time the person experiences the symptoms of depression (the depressive phase), then his mood will shift into a period of mania (euphoria). In between these extremes, there may be a period of normal functioning. Mania is characterized by extreme elation and self-importance. During a manic phase a person will feel extreme irritability for people and occurrences that are felt to stand in his way. Energy, joy, and self-esteem are raised to irrational levels and a delusional pattern often follows. Two to three million people suffer from bipolar depression. It usually begins during adolescence or early adulthood. Substance abuse and other mental illnesses are common in people with this disorder. In some people, bipolar disorder will follow a long course of major depression. On average, people diagnosed with bipolar disorder will experience roughly four episodes of mania or depression the ailment over the course of their lifetime. What It's Like Living With Bipolar Disorder Joseph is feeling on top of the world. He has just come off a period where it was so difficult for him to do anything that he wanted to do. In fact, for a few months, he didn't do anything. He just stayed in the house, most of the time sleeping.
It is certainly different now. In fact, Joseph is almost always out of the house. He only needs two to three hours sleep a night and he feels that he has the energy of a bull.
Joseph is spending most of his time on a new project. He is working on a new business venture that he knows is going to make him a fortune. Somewhere in the back of his mind he remembers that he has tried to start new businesses on numerous occasions and they have always resulted in financial disaster. However, those failures are in the back of Joseph's mind now because he knows that this idea is a sure winner.
He is spending most of his days trying to convince banks to lend him the money. He cannot understand why the banks that he has visited so far seem so negative, but Joseph is sure that he will find a bank soon that will advance him the large sum of money that he needs. He has spared no expense in this effort. Joseph has gone to the best stores and purchased a new wardrobe. He has ordered the latest in computer equipment. He also has hired a commercial realtor to find him modern offices. Joseph has not told his family about his new idea because they always rain on his parade. They are negative about all of his ideas. But he knows that they do not have the vision that he has and that they will eat their words when they see the millions that he is going to make with his new venture Acknowledgements and Thanks go to: http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/Depression/manic_depression.asp For related information see the URL above.
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Who'd ever think you'd go and end up...
Like all the other guys that I've gone and fuccked?
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( jsgirl )
Visionary
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A closer look at Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) is a treatable illness and can affect a person's ability to experience a normal range of mood. It is marked by extreme changes in mood, thought, energy and behavior. It is not a character flaw or a sign of personal weakness. Bipolar disorder affects more than two million adult Americans. It usually begins in late adolescence (often appearing as depression during teen years) although it can start in early childhood or later in life. An equal number of men and women develop this illness (men tend to begin with a manic episode, women with a depressive episode) and it is found among all ages, races, ethnic groups and social classes. The illness tends to run in families and appears to have a genetic link. Like depression and other serious illnesses, bipolar disorder can also negatively affect spouses and partners, family members, friends and coworkers.
Bipolar disorder is also known as manic depression because a person's mood can alternate between the "poles" - mania (highs) and depression (lows). This change in mood or "mood swing" can last for hours, days, weeks or months. Every time you experience symptoms at one pole for at least 1 week, it is called an episode. Experiencing 4 or more episodes of mania and/or depression in a year is called rapid-cycling bipolar disorder.  While mood changes with bipolar disorder typically occur gradually, with bipolar rapid cycling, a full cycle can be completed within days (some individuals even complete a cycle in hours). This pattern of rapid cycling is seen in approximately 5 to 15 percent of patients with bipolar disorder and tends to develop late in the disorder. Because those who rapid-cycle represent a moving target so-to-speak, and because of the instability of their condition, this group of people are notoriously difficult to treat, with high rates of failure. Women are more likely than men to be rapid-cyclers. Types of Mood Episodes Associated With Bipolar Disorder -Manic Episode (Mania) is a distinct period during which there is an abnormally and constantly elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, lasting at least 1 week.
-Hypomanic Episode (Hypomania) is a milder form of mania that lasts at least 4 days.
-Major Depressive Episode (Depression) is a period during which there is either depressed mood or the loss of interest or pleasure in nearly all activities, lasting for at least 2 weeks.
-Mixed Episode is a period of time during which a person experiences both manic and major depressive symptoms nearly every day for at least 1 week. Types of Bipolar Disorder Patterns and severity of symptoms, or episodes, of highs and lows, determine different types of bipolar disorder.
-Bipolar I disorder is characterized by one or more manic episodes or mixed episodes (symptoms of both a mania and a depression occurring nearly every day for at least 1 week) and one or more major depressive episodes. Bipolar I disorder is the most severe form of the illness marked by extreme manic episodes.
-Bipolar II disorder is characterized by one or more depressive episodes accompanied by at least one hypomanic episode. Hypomanic episodes have symptoms similar to manic episodes but are less severe, but must be clearly different from a person's non-depressed mood. For some, hypomanic episodes are not severe enough to cause notable problems in social activities or work. However, for others, they can be troublesome.
-Cyclothymic disorder is characterized by chronic fluctuating moods involving periods of hypomania and depression. The periods of both depressive and hypomanic symptoms are shorter, less severe, and do not occur with regularity as experienced with bipolar II or I. However, these mood swings can impair social interactions and work. Many, but not all, people with cyclothymia develop a more severe form of bipolar illness.
-Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified
When the bipolar disorder is not characterized by any of the above mentioned types of bipolar disorder.1 The experiences of bipolar disorder vary from person to person. Occasionally someone will experience the symptoms of a manic episode and a major depressive episode, but not fit into the above mentioned types of bipolar disorder. This is known as Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. Just like the other types of bipolar disorder, Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified is a treatable disorder. Acknowledgements and Thanks go to: http://www.healthyplace.com/communities/bipolar/types.asp#types_of_bipolar_disorder
For related information see the URL above.
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Who'd ever think you'd go and end up...
Like all the other guys that I've gone and fuccked?
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( jsgirl )
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Getting Help For Depression
or
Helping Someone With Depression For Those Who May Be Depressed: If you think you might have depression, I want you to stop what you are doing and call your doctor or a local crisis line. Even if you are not sure, it's worth it to have a professional look into this possibility. Please do not think you cannot be helped or that you are not worthy of help. Both of these are symptoms of depression, and therefore are all the more reason to look for help. I know what it's like, and even though it's the hardest thing you've ever done, I beg you to ask for help. Your doctor or crisis worker won't think any less of you because of it. In fact, they respect patients who take the initiative and look for help, for they know that the depression itself will try to hold you back. And you may think your friends and family won't understand, but they may respect the fact that you are looking for help, nonetheless, and for some of them it may be a relief to know that what is wrong with you, can be diagnosed and treated. You owe it to yourself to get help. You are worth it. Please do it. For Those Who Think A Friend Or Loved One Is Depressed: You may believe that a kind word or two, from time-to-time, is all that's needed. However, if someone shows the signs of depression, and they persist, they need more help than you can provide. Do your best to cajole them into treatment. Be kind about it, but firm. Depending on how well they are functioning, you may have to make an appointment for them, and actually take them to it. Having someone go with the depressed person may help him or her feel a little better about it. And take it from me: the person did not choose to be depressed and is not--consciously--trying to inflict anything on you. If he or she has said or done something hurtful, remember that it's the illness, and not him or her. The best way to help him or her, as well as yourself, is to get him or her to treatment. Acknowledgements and Thanks go to:
http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/Depression/living/general5.asp
For related information see the URL above.
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Who'd ever think you'd go and end up...
Like all the other guys that I've gone and fuccked?
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dpalnuiteol
Advisor
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cool, thanks!
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~all you need is love~
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anc8469
Visionary
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I think I really has Major Depression a couple of months ago, but thanks for the info.
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Yea I love Jesus, thats right!
What are you going to do about it??
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12:03 pm on July 24, 2008 | Joined Oct. 2007 | 238 Days Active
Join to learn more about anc8469 Alabama, United States | Straight Female | 5639 Posts | 9032 Points
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Meep123
Guru
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I hate posts like this, its nothing anyone couldn't get without google.
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Fook meplz.
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12:04 pm on July 24, 2008 | Joined Oct. 2006 | 527 Days Active
Join to learn more about Meep123 New York, United States | Straight Male | 13938 Posts | 22703 Points
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tennisplayerV2
Professional
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that is awesome...thanks for the info
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Strength emotionally will get you anywhere
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I hate posts like this, its nothing anyone couldn't get without google. 
