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Types of Depression

When we think of depression, we think of being sad or “blue”, but there are in fact several kinds of depression, with quite variable symptoms. It is even possible to be depressed without an overwhelming feeling of sadness. The most appropriate way to classify depressive syndromes remains hotly debated.

Primary or Secondary Depression?

Often depression occurs as a clear reaction to a life event, such as trauma, physical illness or bereavement. Psychologists may distinguish this (also called reactive depression) from depressions that have no obvious cause, though this isn’t always clear. Categorizing this way is helpful because, if an obvious trigger exists, that can then be addressed.

See cures for panic attacks here…

Unipolar or Bipolar Depression?

Some people with depression just feel ‘down’, but in manic depression (bipolar disorder) sufferers alternate between sadness and agitated highs. Distinguishing them is crucial because bipolar disorder is treated differently, with effective medications to stabilize mood.

Dysthymia: Personality-Linked Depression

Some people suffer from long-term, mild depression that is part of their personality makeup or style, rather than a bout of depressive illness. Again, this affects modes of treatment.

Psychotic or Neurotic Depression?

This distinction, based on supposedly distinct sets of symptoms, is not much used these days, but was commonly used to separate depressions linked to medical conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder from those caused by psychosocial factors.

Major or Minor Depression?

Though the severity of a depressive episode is obviously important, this classification is less used now. For one thing, depression is a spectrum, with severity not an indicator of a different disease. Also, to label someone as suffering from ‘minor’ depression tends to trivialize their suffering.

Other Types of Depression

Numerous types of depression have been identified, including “atypical” types. For example, people may have the symptoms of depressive disorder without feeling depressed. People suffering from anxiety can also be diagnosed as suffering from depression, even though it is not the primary symptom.

Debates continue, but the important thing is not classification but appropriate treatment for sufferers of depression.

Exercise and Depression – On A Positive Note…

Beating depression can require a bunch of different strategies. Some people prefer not to swallow antidepressant drugs, with their potentially unpleasant side-effects, and seek natural alternatives. Others supplement drug treatment with other measures. It’s well documented that exercise can be helpful to people suffering from depression and for some it is the answer they’ve been looking for. In fact, some studies suggest that it is just as effective as drug therapy and should be tried first, with prescription drugs the last resort.

How Exercise Helps Fight Depression:

• Scientific studies have shown that exercise releases brain chemicals that regulate and lift mood and counter the negative effects of stress.

• Many sufferers from depression are plagued by a lack of energy. Exercise and increased physical fitness boost energy levels and make getting on with life that much easier.

• Increased physical fitness can lead to weight loss and other improvements in physical appearance. Since many victims of depression feel worthless and unattractive, this can clearly boost their confidence and self-esteem.

• Depressed people often tend to withdraw from relationships with other people and from the world. An exercise program that gets people out of the house can make a world of difference. A sport or exercise regime that involves social interactions can be affirming, diverting and all-round rewarding.

• Exercise helps with the sleep and appetite problems that sufferers from depression typically experience.

• Depressed people often lose sight of what is important to them. Everything seems difficult or unachievable and motivation levels plummet. Taking up a sport can help with setting goals and, when they are reached and surpassed, with helping people to feel motivated again and more satisfied with themselves.

• Sometimes depression arises in part from a preceding unhealthy lifestyle. Getting enough exercise and optimizing physical health is a lifestyle overhaul that has preventive as well as remedial value.

Exercise is beneficial for more than just looking good. It can elevate endorphin levels and your mood.

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Laughter Is The Best Medicine!

When you find out that you are suffering from depression, laughing is the furthest thing from your mind. In fact, there is nothing humorous about it. But, doctors are proving that laughter really can be the best medicine.

In the United States, there are over 19 million people suffering from depression. And, that is just the adults. The condition has a number of symptoms, all of which alone or in combination can be devastating to the sufferer and their families. But, laughing does have its advantages.

Under normal circumstances, have you ever noticed how you feel after laughing? We are not talking about a little chuckle but a “rolling around on the floor” kind of laugh. After you finish rubbing your sides from the ache and wiping the tears, your mood has changed.

Suddenly the world seems brighter. The effects of humor don’t disappear when you are diagnosed with depression. You can still reap the benefit of an improved mood with a few raucous laughs.

So, where do you start? Here are a few suggestions for injecting humor into your day.

1. Watch a funny movie. If you have a favorite that has made you laugh in the past, give it a try again. Watch it with a few friends so you can all laugh together.

2. Read a funny joke each day. Reader’s Digest is notorious for their page full of funny jokes and cartoons. A little humor at the beginning of the day can change your whole outlook for the day.

3. Laugh at yourself. We are all guilty of making funny faux-pas once in a while. Resist the urge to get frustrated and instead have a good laugh, on you.

4. Practice smiling. When you smile, you can’t help but feel better. Try it now and see.

Having depressive symptoms doesn’t mean that your life has to revolve around feeling bad. Take advantage of every opportunity to reverse those symptoms and have a good laugh.

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Manic depression is actually considered one of the worst type of depression that people usually suffer from. It’s characterized by sudden and extreme changes in their mood. Manic depression is called as such because manic, or “mania” refers to the ‘ups’ while depression refers to the ‘downs’.

There are many people who experience erratic mood swings, yet these aren’t always caused by the usual diagnosis of PMS or stress. Doctors state that mood swings are a common symptom of depression.

However it does happen that these mood swings reach utmost absurdity, say from getting irked by the slightest things (like not getting your favorite ice cream flavor).This may not be just a sign of inappropriate behavior, but when it means verbal abuse on the ice cream vendor and absurd temper tantrums, this may already be the start of manic depression.

The “manic” or “ups” in manic depression are described as experiencing overly high periods, consisting of heightened energy, a sudden outburst of euphoric mood, extreme irritability, thoughts racing, and possible aggressive behavior. These periods could go on for hours or even days.

When it comes to the “depressive” or “low” periods, someone suffering from manic depression can experience episodes showing a depressed state of mind – a feeling of worthlessness and being unloved may start to corrupt the individual’s mind. Various evident symptoms include showing guilt, extreme sadness, anxiety attacks, feeling of not belonging, extreme pessimism and obvious loss for pleasure.

The best option for those suffering from manic depression is to consult a psychiatrist and/or a cognitive behavioral therapist. It’s always best to ask your family physician to recommend someone who is adept at working with people with manic depression.

Also, taking the proper prescribed medications as well as the proper dosage will also help tremendously in controlling this disorder. If this is something the person with manic depression is afraid they can’t handle on their own, perhaps it is best to have a close friend or relative take charge of distributing medications until the routine is established.

Much has been made of ‘happy pills’, with drugs such as Prozac becoming a household name in the 1990s. Antidepressant drugs have been around for half a century, with new types regularly being developed. They are as controversial as they are widely used.

Apart from potentially unpleasant side effects, they have been described as overrated and over-prescribed. A key criticism is that they target the symptoms of depression without addressing the causes. That is certainly true, but antidepressants have their uses in modern medicine and mental health treatments, although many professionals no longer use them as a first line of defense against depressive illness.

Types of Antidepressants

Although there are many classes of antidepressants, three are most commonly used. All work in much the same way, by affecting the chemicals known as neurotransmitters. Those chemicals include serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine (noradrenalin), which are all implicated in mood regulation.

• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)

are the oldest kind, dating back to the 1950s. They have largely been replaced by newer kinds with fewer side effects and lower overdose potential. Imipramine, clomipramine, trimipramine and amitryptiline are all TCAs (brand names include Anafranil, Tofranil, Surmontil). They are still occasionally prescribed when the need arises.

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

These are now rarely prescribed because of negative interactions with other drugs and with foods containing tyramine (including red wine, some cheeses, Marmite/Bovril/Vegemite).

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

The most used these help to build up serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is linked to mood as well as appetite, and low levels have been implicated in chronic pain syndromes. Well known SSRIs include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil/Seroxat) and sertraline (Zoloft).

Antidepressants are often in the headlines due to real and supposed side effects and questions about their effectiveness. Some argue that they are little better than placebos. Anyone opting for antidepressant drug therapy should discuss the pros and cons with their doctor. Antidepressants alone may not solve the problem and are often taken as one arm of a wider-ranging treatment program that can include counseling and lifestyle changes.

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Causes of Depression

This is one of those topics that people give close attention. It is actually empowering. When you know the causes of an illness, you are more self-aware. The power is in your hands at that point to be proactive.

Depression is an illness that mostly results from an imbalance of chemicals in the brain. These chemicals are called neurotransmitters. The ones affected are associated with neural pathways that control mood.

There isn’t just one cause for depression. In fact, finding a cause can be rather complex in its nature. Many of the causes that scientists and doctors have come up with are still being tested. Start with this list and follow up with your doctor for more in-depth information.

1. Heredity – Like other conditions such as alcoholism, you are at a greater risk if someone in your family also has the condition. Those with family members suffering from depression or who have succumbed to a depressive symptom (suicide) are more likely to develop depression according to the experts. They have not identified which types of depression that includes as yet.

2. Illness – There seems to be a correlation between illness and depression. This refers to prolonged illness like cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes and heart disease. If you already have been exhibiting symptoms of depression before these illnesses your risk is greater.

3. Personality type – People who exhibit low self-esteem, poor body image, inability to handle stress, feelings of isolation and negative thinking are more likely to become depressed.

4. Nutritional deficiencies – What you eat is important. When your diet lacks vitamins and minerals instrumental in brain health, depression could become a reality in your future.

5. Medications – Some medications may have side effects that can lead you to depression. If you’ve ever read the list on the bottle, prolonged use of some can increase depressive symptoms.

Are you concerned that something in your life may be a cause for depression? You won’t know for sure unless you see a professional.

Depression – Being Aware Of The Condition…

Depression is an illness. As such, you may be at risk for it in your life. This doesn’t mean that you will develop depressive symptoms, but that you might want to increase your awareness of the condition.

Depression has been characterized as feeling the “blues” but that is not an accurate description. The “blues” can be chalked up to having a bad day or the aftermath of an argument. Neither of these situations has anything to do with depression. Once you have a pep talk or shake off the feeling, your mood and attitude returns to normal. With depression, it does not.

If you are a woman, guess what? You are more at risk for depression. No one knows why in particular. Women are prone to postpartum depression after giving birth. Since many women also chalk their feelings up to “the blues,” the number of depressed people of the female sex is probably higher that reported.

Another risk factor is socioeconomic status. It is believed that if you are poor, you are more likely to develop depression. That is not to say that everyone who is of below average means will also have this issue. There are other factors surrounding your financial status that play a part.

Substance abuse plays a part in developing many conditions not the least of which is depression. It could be the side effect of the drugs or the aftermath of getting clean when you realize how you have lived while abusing drugs. The term “drugs” here is not just illegal substances but also abuse of prescription medications such as narcotics and sleeping pills.

Now, we come to family history. You have a greater risk if someone in your family has suffered or is suffering from a depressive condition. But, that is not set in stone. Simply being aware of your risk can help you fight it.

Are you at risk? Talk to your family doctor to find out more and what you can do to help yourself.

For many, depression is a mystery. What causes it? Am I at risk? To find out, take the necessary steps to educate yourself.

If you think you might be depressed, find out more. You can check out books at the library or visit your local bookstore. They have lots of magazines and a section on medical conditions. The first step to helping yourself is to find out all the information you can. What you believe is depression might actually be a reaction to something else going on in your life.

If you have been diagnosed with depression, the doctor can help you with the preliminaries. But, to be sure that you fully understand your condition, there is nothing wrong with reading all about it. Knowledge is power and learning all about depression can answer your questions. There are too many misconceptions floating around not to get facts.

The good thing about knowledge is that it gives you confidence. Along with finding out what depression is, you also learn how to deal with it. Besides the traditional treatments of antidepressants, there are also complementary therapies and alternative medicine to consider. You can ask your doctor about these things once you know more about them.

Literature on depression also gives you access to resources. Find out about local support groups, national foundations and websites dedicated to the subject of depression. Forums give you a chance to connect with others and also remain anonymous if you wish.

Education is good for your family as well. They may be just as much in the dark about depression as you were. This way, you can share what you know so all of you can learn together. This way, those who love you will know how to support you as you deal with your diagnosis.

Depression can be a disheartening diagnosis but it doesn’t have to be lonely or shrouded in mystery. Take the initiative to educate yourself and others.

I encourage you to take the initiative to learn about depression, I am offering a free report Discover The Benefits Of Natural Depression Fighting Remedies

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Symptoms Of Depression

People who may be suffering from depression actually show each and every kind of symptom doctors will tell you depressed people have. Sometimes it’s actually quite easy to overlook such symptoms, thinking they are just regular ‘blues’ or fatigue.

Here are some common examples of symptoms of depression:

Prolonged period of sadness or not feeling “up to it”. People who are always coming up with excuses to avoid activites they once enjoyed, or whom would much rather stay at home alone than do anything else is one of the prime symptoms of depression.

Feeling hopeless while having a pessimistic attitude about a variety of things is another common warning sign. When a person feels they having nothing to look forward to, or speak frequently in a negative view of themselves is also indicative of potential depression disorders.

Whenever a person feels guilty over everything, you have on your hands one very sad person who feels like he or she doesn’t deserve to be happy. Thus, the loss of self-worth comes into play. Perhaps the person in question feels as if he or she isn’t worthy of being happy or enjoying one’s self; a clear tell-tale symptom of depression.

If someone who once took interest or pleasure from hobbies or certain activities suddenly quits everything, this is not a very good sign. This could be yet another indicator that depression might be the culprit. This lack of interest in activites could also cause a variety of other health issues.

A person having trouble concentrating, having bad memory and is suddenly very indecisive can be another set of indicators of depression. Their lack of interest in regards to the outside world, or anything for that matter, can result in the depressed individual becoming very inattentive, and seemingly out of sorts.

While there are many other signs of depression, these simple indicators are enough to warrant a trip to a physician. Neglecting to receive medical attention for any type of depressive disorder can result in a variety of secondary health issues, and can be dangerous for the person in question.

Simply put, the answer to ‘Is it depression?’ should be clearly answered if negative feelings are eating at the mind and heart.