Depression

What is Depression?Serious medical syndrome. Long lasting sadness, does not go away. Poor moods, unable to feel happy. Inappropriate communicating and relating

with society. Physical symptoms such as headaches and/or

body aches, constant pain.

Types of DepressionClinical Depression (Major Depression)

Dysthymia ( Minor Depression)Bipolar DisorderAtypical DepressionSeasonal DepressionPsychotic DepressionPostnatal Depression

Clinical Depression Over two weeks of severe sadness,

and five other identified symptoms .

Intense and severe consequences that disrupt one’s personal and professional life .

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan often used to see shrinkage of the hippocampus and frontal lobe

Can occur and reoccur in episodes throughout one’s life, but clinical depression is more often an ongoing syndrome in those diagnosed.

(“Position Emission Tomography Scan of the Brain for Depression”)

Minor Depression Often referred to as Dysthymia Symptoms are same as major depression, and

occur for at least two years but at a lower level and do not completely disrupt one’s life.

Chances likely to develop major depression if symptoms go untreated.

Physical shrinkage of the brain less obvious, unless it develops into major depression.

Bipolar Depression Two-sided infection of highs and

lows. High Stage-Individual has lots of

liveliness, mind races, unable to deliver clear and complete feelings.

Low Stage-Depressed state, generally identified as Major Depression.

Person can have continuing or rapid in between these stages.

Symptoms of Depression Feeling gloomy, lonely, panicky for a long time.

Feeling hopeless, helpless, pessimistic. Troubles in sleeping, waking early in the dawn and unable sleep. Loss of interest and enthusiasm in doing activities. Feeling insignificant, culpable, besieged, insufficient. Feeling weary, indolent, no energy or zest. Unable to remember the situations and things. Ambivalence, can’t make decisions. No desire for food with weight loss or overeating with weight gain Agitation, tetchiness, physical restlessness. Loss of attention or pleasure in sex. Persistent thoughts of death or suicide Physical symptoms (such as headaches, stomach distress, chest pain, chronic pain)

that even stay irrespective of treatment.

Diagnosing Depression Doctor must analyze depression by in depth

with patient about medical history, what might have triggered the depression, and family medical history to see if depression might be present in other family members.

(Chakraburtty, “Depression in Children”).

A physical and mental health evaluation.

Serotonin Serotonin is a chemical

neurotransmitter that transmits signals in the brain .

Imbalance in Serotonin can influence mood and emotions .

Doctors have placed a great emphasis on researching Serotonin and its relationship to Depression.

Problems in the brain with low levels of Serotonin: the brain being unable to receive Serotonin and/or an overall shortage of Serotonin in the brain are being linked to Depression and it’s symptoms

Measuring depression

0 = Not at all1 = Just a little2 = Somewhat3 = Moderately 4 = Quite a lot 5 = Very much

1. I do things slowly..............................................0 1 2 3 4 5 2. My future seems hopeless...............................0 1 2 3 4 5 3. It is hard for me to concentrate on reading.....0 1 2 3 4 5 4. The pleasure and joy has gone out of my life..0 1 2 3 4 5 5. I have difficulty making decisions...................,0 1 2 3 4 5 6. I have lost interest in aspects of life that

used to be important to me...................................0 1 2 3 4 5 7. I feel sad, blue, and unhappy............................0 1 2 3 4 5 8. I am agitated and keep moving around............0 1 2 3 4 5 9. I feel fatigued.....................................................0 1 2 3 4 5 10. It takes great effort for me to do simple

things......................................................................0 1 2 3 4 5

Treatment Medical treatments such as Prozac, Zoloft,

Celexa, and Paxil are the most common and named as “Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors” (SSRIs).

These treatments increase production of Serotonin and help to block the breakdown of Serotonin to promote the “lifespan” of the molecule.

SSRI in combination with therapy often have good affects on patients.