Depression (cont.)
What are myths about depression?
The following are myths about depression and its treatment:
- It is a weakness rather than an illness.
- If the sufferer just tries hard enough, it will go away.
- If you ignore depression in yourself or a loved one, it will go away.
- Highly intelligent or highly accomplished people do not get depressed.
- People with developmental disabilities do not get depressed.
- People with depression are "crazy."
- Depression does not really exist.
- Children, teens, the elderly, or men do not get depressed.
- There are ethnic groups for whom depression does not occur.
- Depression cannot look like (present as) irritability.
- People who tell someone they are thinking about committing suicide are only trying to get attention and would never do it, especially if they have talked about it before.
- People with depression cannot have another mental or medical condition at the same time.
- Psychiatric medications are all addicting.
- Psychiatric medications are never necessary to treat depression.
- Medication is the only effective treatment for depression.
- Children and teens should never be given antidepressant medication.
What are the types of depression and their symptoms?
Depressive disorders are mood disorders that come in different forms, just as do other illnesses,
such as heart disease and diabetes. Three of the most common types of depressive
disorders are discussed below. However, remember that within each of these
types, there are variations in the number, timing, severity, and persistence of
symptoms. There are also differences in how individuals experience depression based on age. Since babies, toddlers, and preschool children are usually unable to express their feelings in words, they tend to show sadness in their behaviors. For example, they may become withdrawn, resume old, younger behaviors (regress), or fail to thrive. School-age children might develop physical complaints, anxiety, or irritability. In addition to becoming more irritable, teens might lose interest in activities they formerly enjoyed, experience a change in their weight, start abusing substances, and they are more able to complete suicide than their younger counterparts when depressed.
Major depression
Major depression is characterized by a combination of symptoms that last for at least two weeks in a row, including sad and/or irritable mood (see symptom list), that interfere with the ability to work, sleep, eat, and enjoy once-pleasurable activities. Difficulties in sleeping or eating can take the form of excessive or insufficient of either behavior. Disabling episodes of depression can occur once, twice, or several times in a lifetime.
Dysthymia
Dysthymia is a less severe but usually more long-lasting type of depression compared to
major depression. It involves long-term (chronic) symptoms that do not disable but yet prevent the affected person from functioning at "full steam" or from feeling good. Sometimes, people with dysthymia also experience episodes of major depression. This combination of the two types of depression is referred to as double-depression.
Bipolar disorder (manic depression)
Another type of depression is bipolar disorder, which encompasses a group of mood disorders that were formerly called manic-depressive illness or manic depression. These conditions show a particular pattern of inheritance. Not nearly as common as the other types of depressive disorders, bipolar disorders involve cycles of mood that include at least one episode of mania and may include episodes of depression as well. Bipolar disorders are often chronic and recurring. Sometimes, the mood switches are dramatic and rapid, but most often they are gradual.
When in the depressed cycle, the person can experience any or all of the symptoms of a depressive disorder. When in the manic cycle, any or all of the symptoms listed later in this article under mania may be experienced. Mania often affects thinking, judgment, and social behavior in ways that cause serious problems and embarrassment. For example,
indiscriminate or otherwise unsafe sexual practices or unwise business or financial decisions may be made when an individual is in a manic phase.
A significant variant of the bipolar disorders is designated as bipolar II disorder. (The usual form of bipolar disorder is referred to as
bipolar I disorder.) Bipolar II disorder is a syndrome in which the affected person has repeated depressive episodes punctuated by what is called hypomania (mini-highs). These euphoric states in bipolar II do not fully meet the criteria for the complete manic episodes that occur in bipolar I.
Symptoms of depression and mania
Not everyone who is depressed or manic experiences every symptom. Some people experience a few symptoms and some many symptoms. The severity of symptoms also varies with individuals.
Less severe symptoms that precede the more debilitating symptoms are called warning signs.
Depression symptoms of major depression or manic depression
- Persistently sad, anxious, angry, irritable, or "empty" mood
- Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and
activities that were once enjoyed, including sex
- Social isolation, meaning the sufferer avoids interactions with family or
friends
- Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
- Decreased appetite and/or weight loss, or overeating
and/or weight gain
- Fatigue, decreased energy, being "slowed down"
- Crying spells
- Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts
- Restlessness, irritability
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making
decisions
- Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as
headaches, digestive disorders, and/or chronic pain
Children and adolescents with depression may also experience the classic symptoms described above but may exhibit other symptoms instead of or in addition to those symptoms, including the following:
- Poor school performance
- Persistent boredom
- Frequent complaints of physical problems such as headaches and stomachaches
- Some of the classic "adult" symptoms of depression may also be more or less obvious in children compared to the actual emotions of sadness, such as a change in eating or sleeping patterns. (Has the child or teen lost or gained weight in recent weeks or months? Does he or she seem more tired than usual?)
- Teen depression may be characterized by the adolescent taking more risks, showing less concern for their own safety.
Mania symptoms of manic depression
- Inappropriate elation
- Inappropriate irritability or anger
- Severe insomnia or decreased need to sleep
- Grandiose notions, like having special powers or importance
- Increased talking speed and/or volume
- Disconnected thoughts or speech
- Racing thoughts
- Severely increased sexual desire and/or activity
- Markedly increased energy
- Poor judgment
- Inappropriate social behavior
Next: What are the causes of depression? »
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