Depression

Depression

Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it is a mood disorder that causes a loss of interest and persistent feeling of sadness can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems.

Symptoms:

·         Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters

·         Feelings of tearfulness, sadness

·         Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports

·         Sleep disturbances

·         Tiredness and lack of energy

·         Anxiety, agitation or restlessness

·         Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements

·         Concentrating, making decisions, thinking and remembering things has been troubled

·         Frequent suicidal thoughts

·         Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches

Causes:

·         Biological differences. 

·          Brain chemistry. 

·          Hormones. 

·         Inherited traits. 

 Risk factors:

·         Self-critical or pessimistic,

·         stressful or traumatic events, such as sexual or physical abuse, a difficult relationship, the death or loss of a loved one or financial problems

·         Blood relatives with a bipolar disorder, history of depression, alcoholism or suicide

·         Eating disorders

·         Being bisexual or transgender, lesbian, gay or having variations in the genital organs development that aren't clearly male or female (intersex) in an unsupportive situation

·         History of post-traumatic stress disorder or anxiety disorder

·         Abuse of alcohol or recreational drugs

·         chronic or serious illness including cancer, stroke, chronic pain or heart disease

·         Certain medications, such as some high blood pressure medications or sleeping pills

Complications:

·         Excess weight or obesity

·         Pain or physical illness

·         Alcohol or drug misuse

·         Anxiety, panic disorder or social phobia

·         Relationship difficulties, family conflicts and work or school problems

·         Social isolation

·         Suicidal feelings, suicide attempts or suicide

·         Self-mutilation, such as cutting

·         Premature death from medical conditions

Prevention:

·         Take steps to control stress

·         Reach out to family and friends

·         Get treatment at the earliest sign of a problem 

·         Consider getting long-term maintenance treatment 

 Diagnosis:

·         Physical exam. Your doctor may do a physical exam and ask questions about your health.

·         Lab tests. For example, your doctor may do a blood test called a complete blood count or test your thyroid to make sure it's functioning properly.

·         Psychiatric evaluation. Your mental health professional asks about your symptoms, thoughts, feelings and behavior patterns. You may be asked to fill out a questionnaire to help answer these questions.

·         Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) mental health professional may use the criteria for depression

Treatment:

·         SSRIs (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).  SSRIs include citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline and vilazodone.

·         SNRIs (Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors).  Venlafaxine, duloxetine, desvenlafaxine and levomilnacipran.

·         Atypical antidepressants.  They include bupropion, mirtazapine, nefazodone, trazodone and vortioxetine.

·         Tricyclic antidepressants. These drugs such as nortriptyline, imipramine, amitriptyline, trimipramine, doxepin, desipramine and protriptyline can be very effective, but tend to cause more-severe side effects than newer antidepressants.

·         MAOIs (Monoamine oxidase inhibitors).  Prescribe phenelzine, tranylcypromine and isocarboxazid, typically when other drugs haven't worked, because they can have serious side effects, a newer MAOI that sticks on the skin as a patch is selegiline.

·         Other medications. Other medications may be added to an antidepressant drugs for the enhancement of antidepressant effects. The doctor may recommend by combining mood stabilizers or antipsychotics. Anti-anxiety and stimulant medications also may be added for short-term use.

Depression, depressive disorder, clinical depression, persistent feeling