DEPRESSION: WALKTHROUGH

Depression is common among mental disorder sufferers. Several people suffer from depression maybe directly or indirectly. It could be through a friend or family member or some circumstances like chemical imbalance and many others. People are frequently confused about what depression really is and why is it distinct from the mere emotion of feeling down. Confusion is also usual around various types of depression.

Depression portrays a lot of symptoms including helplessness, feelings of irrational guilt, worthlessness, pessimism, anxiety, persistent sadness, fatigue, decreased energy and “empty” mood. They gradually do not gain pleasure or take interest anymore in hobbies, talents or activities they previously loved; this may involve playing games, drawing, or hanging out with friends. Oversleeping, early-morning awakening and insomnia are all common. Some may experience unnoticeable weight gain and overeating or lack of appetite and weight loss. In worst cases, suicidal thoughts and attempted suicides are common. Like an anxiety sufferer, a person who is depressed experiences trouble in making decisions, remembering and concentrating. Physical signs of depressive illness are chronic pain, digestive disorders and headaches. If you felt a number of the said symptoms, you are probably depressed.

Numerous forms of depression exist including seasonal affective disorder, psychotic depression, chronic depression or dysthymia, major depression, and bipolar disorder.  Major depressive disorder is the most remarkable of the depression types. It affects a lot of people. Its symptoms interfere wholly with the person’s life for instance relationships and work. In psychotic depression, the person experiences psychosis or he becomes unrealistic as he can have paranoia, delusions or hallucinations. Bipolar disorder or manic depression involves manic episodes then depressive periods and normal mood moments in between. Seasonal affective disorder also referred to as summer depression, summer blues, winter depression or winter blues. It is a mood disorder in which a person who has normal mental health undergoes depressive symptoms all through summer or winter within the whole year. Chronic depression or dysthymia is less in severity compared to major depressive disorder. The symptoms may last for two years or more.

Even though depression has a lot of types, there are also various options for the cure.  There are antidepressant medicines like Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs which are usually the most prescribed to patients. Examples of which are sertraline, vortioxetine, paroxetine, escitalopram,citalopram and fluoxetine. Newer types of antidepressants called Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors or SNRIs are also used. These include duloxetine, desvenlafaxine, venlafaxine and levomilnacipran. There are also Tricyclic antidepressants or TCAs which were the earlier medications for depression. These involves trimipramine, imipramine, protriptyline, desipramine, nortriptyline, doxepin, and amitriptyline. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors or MAOIs were the earliest forms of depression medications. They include phenelzine, isocarboxazid, and transdermal selegiline and tranylcypromine. Some other medications are trazodone, mirtazapine and bupropion.

Another considered cure for depression includes psychotherapy or talk therapy which studies proved as an impressive treatment for depression. Some have discovered that it is a good combination with medications. A test undergone was able to convey the useful combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with medication to treat depression. Several other options for the treatment of depression exist including lifestyle changes.

A person with depression should never lose hope cause there are still several ways to beat it off. You must avail yourself of some modes of treatment which will keep it at bay like obtaining therapy, medications, regular sleep, managing stress,exercise, diet and medications. Purchasing a self-help book to ward off negative thoughts is also recommended. Trying to see the world in an optimistic, hopeful, and promising light is one of the powerful salvations from depression. A good quality book is written by David Buns called “Feeling Good.”