Depression Welcome to the Affordable Drugs depression information page. Whether you are dealing with low grade depression or major clinical depression, it can feel extremely overwhelming. Educating yourself about depression is very important in dealing with this condition and finding depression help. You can find information here about depression symptoms, depression treatments and the causes of depression. You can also find the best prices available on depression medications. The information contained on this page is not intended to replace the professional advice of your physician.
Depression Symptoms Everyone experiences a bad day, or times when their mood isn't the best and this is considered normal. When the bad days begin to outweigh the good, upbeat days, then depression may be the issue. Some obvious symptoms of depression include a decreased interest in hobbies, exhaustion, feeling constantly overwhelmed, and feelings of hopelessness. Depression can affect different people in various ways and no age group or class of people is unaffected. Statistics show that one in eight people have some degree of depression and many people choose to do nothing about it. Depression symptoms need to be taken very seriously when suicidal behavior develops or when someone begins to talk about it. There are varying types of the mood disorder that exist and different severity levels that coincide with these. The good news is that with proper diagnosis, depression is treatable with a high rate of success that allows people to return to their normal lives.
There are several indicators or symptoms of depression, one of which includes feelings of hopelessness that make a person feel as though that nothing will ever improve or get better in their life. A second sign is a loss of interest in life's daily activities, such as sex, socializing, or hobbies. Another symptom is an obvious change in someone's weight. Packing on significant pounds or becoming dangerously thin are both depression symptoms, when the behavior becomes consistent. Variations in sleeping habits, like having insomnia or sleeping far too much, can also become indicators of a problem as well. Extremes in irritability or in laziness may be symptoms of depression as well, especially if behavioral swings last for any length of time. The real or perceived feeling of physical fatigue and/or never having enough energy is an indication that something or a series of events may be causing mood disturbances. One of the more troubling depression symptoms is feeling sorry for oneself. This can lead to overly harsh criticisms, expectations of repeated failure with everything, and even suicidal thoughts. The worse case scenario is when an individual actually carries through with the act of taking their own life, as a result of perceptions of worthlessness. Especially since depression is a readily treatable condition. Lastly, challenges with concentration or focusing may be a sign or symptom of depression as well.
The symptoms of depression often look different between young and old and also among male and female. When members of the younger generations get depressed that may outwardly appear sad, whereas the elderly may not show the signs as readily. Men tend to refuse to accept the fact that they are depressed because it is an ego and pride matter, at that point. Women are the more common recipient of the mood disorder, largely in part to the hormones that exist in their bodies. Females also show emotion more than men, which may reveal depression symptoms more easily. Depression is a serious mood disorder that can affect anyone. There are plenty of warning signs for the diagnosis, and thankfully, medications and corrective actions available that make depression treatable.
Types of Depression There are many types of depression, largely distinguished from each other by their duration, the severity of symptoms, and the notable features of the condition. There are three distinct depressive disorders, as described in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), as well as several other depressive categories.
Major Depressive Disorder
This is commonly known as Major Depression or Clinical Depression, and episodes occur with symptoms lasting the majority of the day, almost every day for at least two weeks for this classification. Symptoms must include either a depressed mood or a significant decrease in interest in most activities. At least four additional symptoms from the following list must be present: substantial weight gain or loss, notable increase or decrease in appetite, increase or difficulty sleeping, loss of energy or fatigue, sense of worthlessness or guilt, trouble concentrating or making decisions, repetitive thoughts of suicide or death, and slowing down or extra movement associated with mental tension.
Dysthymic Disorder
Also known as Dysthymia, this condition consists of a nearly constant depressed mood for a minimum of two years. The mood must be accompanied by at least two of the following symptoms: increase or decrease in appetite, increase or decrease in sleep patterns, fatigue or low energy, low self-esteem, trouble concentrating and making decisions, and hopelessness. Symptoms typically appear for two months or less at a time and are considered less severe than Major Depression.
Manic Depression
Also called Bipolar Disorder, this type of depression is characterized by periods of depression and mania, and the cycling between the extreme moods. Sufferers may experience only mania with no episodes of depression. Manic episodes are distinguished by an extreme, persistent elevated or irritable mood lasting for at least one week. At least three of the following symptoms must also be present: decrease in sleep needs, excessively talkative, easily distracted, racing thoughts, inflated self-importance, excessive movement, and unusually high involvement in risky pleasurable behaviors. Symptoms may include psychotic aspects.
Post Partum Depression
This is a major depressive episode brought on by giving birth, with symptoms usually appearing within four weeks of the birth and varying in duration and intensity.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
A type of depression distinguished by periods of major depression recurring at a specific time of year, typically fall or winter. Within two previous years, episodes occur at least twice without episodes at a different time of the year.
Chronic Depression
Major depressive episode that continues for at least two years.
Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood
Also referred to as Situational Depression or Reactive Depression, the symptoms of this type of depression develop as direct result of a stressful event, beginning within three months of the event and lasting no longer than 6 months after the event.
Psychotic Depression
This condition is a Major Depressive episode with the addition of psychotic symptoms such as delusions or hallucinations.
Agitated Depression
A type of Major Depressive Disorder distinguished by agitation; agitation can consist of insomnia and irritability or physical and emotional restlessness.
Melancholic Depression
A subcategory of Major Depressive Disorder, this type includes at least three of the following symptoms: consistently worse in the morning, waking up at least two hours earlier than usual, decrease in appetite or weight loss, extreme or unreasonable guilt, depressed mood with distinct quality, and noticeable slowing down or excessive movement.
Catatonic Depression
Another subcategory of Major Depressive Disorder, it is characterized by at least two of the following symptoms: loss of voluntary movement and inability to react to environment, extreme resistance to instructions or unwillingness to speak, unusual voluntary movements, and involuntarily repeating words or movements.
Causes of Depression An incredibly important part of learning to cope with depression and its associated symptoms is truly understanding the many different possible causes of depression. The many misunderstandings regarding what causes depression can create a great deal of stress in the patient, their family, and their friends. In fact, one of the most common misconceptions is that depression is only present in individuals who are currently unhappy with their life. In order to adequately comprehend the disease, it is critical that patients and their loved ones understand the causes of depression.
One of the primary causes of depression, and perhaps the most prominent, is the presence of self-esteem issues. Individuals that are not happy with their physical appearance may find it very difficult to navigate social settings, and as a result are prone to isolation. The same holds true with people suffering from feelings of inadequacy and fear. The result is an individual that is more likely to seek solace in solitude which only makes the situation worse. Of the many causes of depression, problems with self-esteem and decreased feelings of self-worth or worthlessness are the most commonly found.
Some types of depression actually stem from a past experience that was traumatic to an individual. Although there normally is some type of physical injury, an emotional event can prove to be just as significant. Accidents that leave a person permanently disabled or disfigured often lead to feelings of worthlessness and other self-esteem issues, and these routinely lead to depression. In addition, many handicapped individuals find a sudden loss of independence to be quite hard to deal with and may even regard it as demeaning. Emotional situations in which a person feels abandoned or betrayed are also fairly common and are one of the major causes of depression either immediately or manifesting later in life.
Another one of the causes of depression is loss of a loved one. The most severe cases of this type of depression are usually found in older adults who have lost a spouse that they have been married to for a number of years. Such a loss can lead to a sense of uselessness, and most senior citizens are treated for depression as a result. Children that have lost a parent or caregiver also tend to have a difficult time coping with the loss and may develop depression.
Many cases of depression have no tangible event that lead to the diagnosis, but rather are thought to be caused by chemical imbalances in the brain and central nervous system. Because all of the regulatory functions for the body are present in the nervous system, a disruption could cause systemic trouble often characterized by a type of depression. Many patients with depression with no past pertinent history find it necessary to be screened for abnormalities in the body. Although the reasons for the chemical oddities are not always known, there are treatment options for this type of depression.
Without understanding the many different possible causes of depression, patients and their families typically have a hard time maintaining acceptable relationships. A great deal of stress can be caused and confusion can ensue when loved ones begin blaming each other or themselves. As a result, it is often recommended that an individual dealing with depression undergo counseling and proper education regarding the disease. It is widely accepted within the medical community that depression is a medical problem that has a variety of different causes. Taking time to learn and decipher between the causes of depression can make coping with the disorder much easier and may strengthen any weakened or strained relationships.
Depression Treatments
For some individuals suffering with depression, varied types of psychotherapy can act as sufficient depression treatments; but for many others, antidepressant medications and psychotherapy are required to cure or manage the illness. There are no concrete, straightforward depression treatments suitable for all persons suffering with depression. Each case is unique in that each person being treated has his own set of contributing factors, genetic make-up, severity of the illness, and sensitivity to treatments.
Psychotropic drug treatment options for depression:
Tricyclic drugs (TCAs)-These were the first antidepressants developed and manufactured for treating depression. TCAs include amitrilptyline (Elavil, etc.) and imipramine (Tofranil) et. al.; they improve mood and treat depression by changing the effects of norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain. Unfortunately, TCAs cause a lot of negative side effects; therefore they are no longer the first antidepressants considered when treating depression.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI)-These were the second types of antidepressants created and manufactured for treating depression. They include: isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), and tranylcypromine (Parnate). These drugs act by blocking monoamine oxidase enzymes and restricting the enzymes' ability to destroy neurotransmitters. The blockage of these monoamine oxidase enzymes allows the number of neurotransmitters in the brain to increase, thus treating depression and alleviating the symptoms. Diet can play a large role in the effectiveness of these drugs; persons taking MAOIs must adhere to strict dietary guidelines and limitations on what medications they simultaneously ingest and utilize. For these reasons, MAOIs are not the first to be considered when treating depression either.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)-these relatively new drugs operate by readjusting the amount of serotonin in the brain. Drugs in this category include: Paxil (paroxetine), Prozac (fluoxetine), and Zoloft (sertraline). Persons taking SSRIs tend to experience less adverse, side effects as compared to persons taking TCA drugs; SSRIs are therefore the most prominent psychotropic drugs prescribed (by psychiatrists) for treating and managing depression. Adverse side effects of these types of drugs may include, but are not limited to: a decrease in sex drive; gastrointestinal discomfort; drowsiness; insomnia; changes in appetite; dizziness and dry mouth.
Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)-these drugs are also relatively new; their role is to readjust the amount of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain. They accomplish this feat by prohibiting the reabsorbency (reuptake) of certain neurotransmitters (serotonin and norepinephrine) in the brain; causing an increase in the amount of these same neurotransmitters, thus eliminating or minimizing depression. SNRIs like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor and Effexor XR) have side effects that are very similar to those of SSRIs.
Other antidepressants such as bupropion hydrochloride (Wellbutrin), maprotiline (Ludiomil), and trazodone (Desyrel), are least likely to be prescribed for treating depression. This reservation (by psychiatrists-to prescribe these alternative drugs) is because there are many more adverse side effects associated with these drugs than with drugs from any of the other categories aforementioned.
Remember, antidepressants respond by readjusting the number or changing the effects of chemicals [known as neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin)] within the brain. When taking any type of antidepressants, avoid consumption of alcohol-as it may increase any negative side effects of the medication. Children and young adults (less than 24 years of age) are more likely to experience thoughts of harming themselves and/or suicide; they in particular, along with the elderly and those in deep depression, need to be monitored closely. Last (yet not least), always inform your doctor of any and all medicines and medical conditions you may currently be taking or experiencing (including pregnancy). This information will enable your doctor to better assess your condition and come up with an appropriate treatment plan.
Non-drug, psychotherapeutic treatment options for depression:
Light Therapy (a.k.a. phototherapy or bright light therapy)-during light therapy the patient is required to sit near an artificial light source (which resembles natural sunlight); this is said to change chemicals in the brain and reduce or eliminate depression.
Talking-This form of therapy involves discussing with your therapist or doctor what's going on in your immediate environment (your life-past, present, and future). This forum can be held in one-on-one sessions (with your doctor or therapist); in group sessions; or in family sessions. Talking is usually a good way to help a person vent, relieve stress, and cope. Besides talking to your psychiatrist or your psychotherapist, you may also want to confide in a trusted friend or family member to help you get by on any given day.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)-When all else seems to fail, health care professionals may resort to electric shock therapy to cure or manage clinical depression. ECT is a treatment which involves sending electric currents to the brain and inducing convulsions within the patient. It is used in extreme cases when severe depression needs to be managed and when no other form of therapy-including drug therapy-seems to work. These depression treatments require the patient to be sedated upon administering.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)-works similar to ECT except there are much smaller electrical currents delivered to the brain and there are no induced convulsions. These depression treatments are administered to the patient on an outpatient basis (without sedation), over a period of several weeks.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)-If you have been administered at least four treatments, unsuccessfully-then your psychiatrist may suggest VNS. VNS treatments are designed to release electric currents to the patient in small increments, over a long period of time. The initial procedure is conducted on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia.
Other treatment options may include the use of any of the following: aromatherapy; herbs [Ginkgo Biloba, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5HTP), hypericum perforatum (St. John Wort), and Hyperforin]; and vitamins.
In addition to medical and psychotherapeutic interventions by health care professionals, persons whom suffer with depression have a responsibility (to themselves and their families) to aid in their own wellness program and healing process. They can do so by: taking their medications as prescribed; keeping regular appointments with their psychiatrists and psychotherapists; eating well-balanced and healthy meals; exercising regularly; thinking positively; meditating (this includes yoga); and simply, taking life one-day-at-a-time.
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