I think it is horrible for people that have depression. They
cant live their life to the fullest because they are always sad or depressed. I
know when Im kind of bummed out on something that has happened I really cant
enjoy anything. I would hate to have to live my life like that, being sad all
the time and every day. Our book explains that people who have major depression
are always sad, have little energy, have trouble sleeping, don’t think they
will ever be happy and even have suicidal thoughts.
I found a website that had what causes major depressive
disorder, what are the symptoms and how it can be treated. I will list them
below. I think being around someone like this all the time might even get you
sad too. I wonder how it affects their loved ones? I know when someone feels sad you feel bad
for them or even get sad yourself, probably not all day but for that moment. I hope that people with this disorder get
proper treatment so that they can live their lives.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
The
exact cause of depression is not known. Many researchers believe it is caused
by chemical changes in the brain. This may be due to a problem with your genes,
or triggered by certain stressful events. More likely, it's a combination of
both.
Some
types of depression run in families. But depression can also occur if you have
no family history of the illness. Anyone can develop depression, even kids.
The
following may play a role in depression:
- Alcohol or
drug abuse
- Certain
medical conditions, including underactive thyroid, cancer, or long-term pain
- Certain
medications such as steroids
- Sleeping
problems
- Stressful
life events, such as:
- Breaking
up with a boyfriend or girlfriend
- Failing a
class
- Death or
illness of someone close to you
- Divorce
- Childhood
abuse or neglect
- Job loss
- Social
isolation (common in the elderly)
Symptoms
Depression can change or distort the way you see yourself, your life, and those around you.
People who have depression usually see everything with a more negative attitude. They cannot imagine that any problem or situation can be solved in a positive way.
Symptoms of depression can include:
·
Agitation, restlessness, and irritability
·
Becoming withdrawn or isolated
·
Difficulty concentrating
·
Dramatic change in appetite, often with weight gain or loss
·
Fatigue and lack of energy
·
Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness
·
Feelings of worthlessness, self-hate, and guilt
·
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed
·
Thoughts of death or suicide
·
Trouble sleeping or too much sleeping
Depression can appear as anger and discouragement, rather than feelings of sadness.
If depression is very severe, there may also be psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions.
Treatment
In general, treatments for depression include:
·
Medications called antidepressants
·
Talk therapy, called psychotherapy
If you have mild depression, you may only need one of these treatments. People with more severe depression usually need a combination of both treatments. It takes time to feel better, but there are usually day-to-day improvements.
If you are suicidal or extremely depressed and cannot function you may need to be treated in a psychiatric hospital.
MEDICATIONS FOR DEPRESSION
Drugs used to treat depression are called antidepressants. Common types of antidepressants include:
·
Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), including fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), fluvoxamine (Luvox), citalopram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro).
·
Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), including desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), venlafaxine (Effexor), and duloxetine (Cymbalta).
Other medicines used to treat depression include:
·
Tricyclic antidepressants
·
Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
·
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
If you have delusions or hallucinations, your doctor may prescribe additional medications.
WARNING: Children, adolescents, and young adults should be watched more closely for suicidal behavior, especially during the first few months after starting medications.
If you do not feel better with antidepressants and talk therapy, you may have treatment-resistant depression. Your doctor will often prescribe higher (but still safe) doses of an antidepressant, or a combination of medications. Lithium (or other mood stabilizers) and thyroid hormone supplements also may be added to help the antidepressants work better.
St. John's wort is an herb sold without a prescription. It may help some people with mild depression. However, it can change the way other medicines work in your body, including antidepressants and birth control pills. Talk to your doctor before trying this herb.
CHANGES IN MEDICATIONS
Sometimes, medications that you take for another health problem can cause or worsen depression. Talk to your doctor about all the medicines you take. Your doctor may recommend changing your dose or switching to another drug. Never stop taking your medications without first talking to your doctor.
Women being treated for depression who are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant should not stop taking antidepressants without first talking to their doctor.
TALK THERAPY
Talk therapy is counseling to talk about your feelings and thoughts, and help you learn how to deal with them.
Types of talk therapy include:
·
Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches you how to fight off negative
thoughts. You will learn how to become more aware of your symptoms and how to
spot things that make your depression worse. You'll also be taught
problem-solving skills.
·
Psychotherapy can help you understand the issues that may be behind your
thoughts and feelings.
·
Joining a support group of people who are sharing problems like yours can
also help. Ask your therapist or doctor for a recommendation.
OTHER TREATMENTS FOR DEPRESSION
·
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the single most effective treatment for
severe depression and it is generally safe. ECT may improve mood in people with
severe depression or suicidal thoughts who don't get better with other
treatments. It may also help treat depression in those who have psychotic symptoms.
·
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) uses pulses of energy to stimulate
nerve cells in the brain that are believe to affect mood. There is some
research to suggest that it can help relieve depression.
·
Light therapy may relieve depression symptoms in the winter time. However,
it is usually not considered a first-line treatment.
Lots of great information on drepression causes, symptoms and treatment. It must be very troubling for the depressed individuals and their close family and friends. I imagine it must be a hard cycle to break. Especially if they want to reach out and help the individual but can't that must be frustrating as well. Depression sometimes gets treated like it is just a bad attitude or that the individual likes misery, when really there other causes like the architecture of the brain. Very informative, good post.
ReplyDelete