DEPRESSION
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
delayed psychomotor skills, for example, slowed movement and speech
insomnia (difficulty sleeping) or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping)
fatigue or loss of energy
unintentional weight loss (without dieting) or low appetite.
feelings of worthlessness or guilt
reduced interest or pleasure in activities previously enjoyed, loss of sexual desire
depressed mood
impaired ability to think, concentrate or make decisions
psychomotor agitation, for example restlessness, packing up and down.
recurrent thoughts of death or suicide, or attempt at suicide.
CAUSES
environmental
psychological and social (psychosocial)
biological - changes in neurotransmitter levels
genetics
RISK FACTORS
some prescription drugs: These drugs corticosteroids, some beta-blockers, interferon and other prescription drugs
Abuse of recreational drugs: Abuse of alcohol, amphetamines, and other drugs are strongly linked to depression.
Childhood trauma
A past head injury
Genetic factors: having a first -degree relatives with depression increases the risk.
Having had one episode of major depression: This increases the risk of a subsequent one.
Personality: Those with less successful coping strategies, or previous life trauma are more susceptible.
Chronic pain syndromes: These and other chronic conditions, such as diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cardiovascular disease make depression more likely
Life events: these include bereavement, divorce, work issues, relationships with friends and family and financial problems, medical concerns or acute stress.
TREATMENT
PSYCHOTHERRAPY TREATMENT
DRUG TREATMENT ( antidepressant medications)
SUPPORT
Interpersonal psychotherapy
Problem solving Treatment
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Ranging from discussing practical solutions and contributing stresses, to educating family members.
This can be dekivered in individual sessions with a therapist, face-to-face, in groups , or over the telephone.
Interpersonal Therapy helps patients to identify emotional problems that affect relationships and communication, and how these, in turn, affect mood and can be damaged.
tricyclic antidepressants
atypical antidepressants
monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI)
selective serotonin inhibitors (SSRIs)
EXERCISE AND THERAPY
Brain stimulation therapies- including electroconvulsive therapy- which is used in depression. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation send s magnetic pulses to the brain and may be effective in major depressive disorder.
Electroconvulsive therapy- severe cases of depression that have not responded to drug treatment may benefit from electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), this is particularly effective for psychotic depression.
**Aerobic Exercise can help against mild depression since it raises endorphin levels and stimulates the neurotransmitter neuropinephrine, which is related to mood.
Depression can be defined as a mental health disorder characterised by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, causing significant impairment in daily life.