Overview
Depression is the leading cause of suicide worldwide. In the US, around 21.0 million people have had an episode of depression once in their lives. Major Depressive Disorder not only ruins one’s mental well-being but also negatively impacts physical well-being. According to statistics, depression is considered to be more prevalent in females, however, males are equally affected by depression but they are not vocal about their emotions because of the stigma associated. Many Clinical Research Organizations are conducting Depression Clinical Trials that might help thousands of people deal with their mental health issues. Depression is a lasting mental health condition.
It takes a lot of time and effort to completely get through those negative emotions and feelings of hopelessness. This blog will be covering major depressive disorder in detail along with its management strategies.
One of the most taxing illnesses in the world, major depressive disorder (MDD) has a considerable detrimental influence on daily living activities, quality of life, cognitive function, employment status, and productivity at work.
The complexity of MDD, which frequently co-occurs with various chronic and acute illnesses, including physical and psychological disorders, presents a challenge to researchers investigating the disease. The therapy approach, in particular, for MDD patients, who present with a wide range of disease presentations, ambiguous diagnoses, and heterogeneous treatment effects, is very complex.
What Happens in A Depression Episode?
A major depressive episode lasts two-week or longer period of time during which a person experiences one or more of the following major depressive symptoms:
- Feelings of sadness and hopelessness,
- Exhaustion,
- Weight gain or loss,
- Changes in sleeping patterns,
- Loss of curiosity in previously enjoyed activities, or
- Suicidal thoughts.
Even if one works on trying to improve their circumstances, these symptoms can be frustrating and difficult to change. People with serious depression frequently experience depressive episodes.
How Is Depression Diagnosed?
Usually, people are used to going through a series of lab tests to diagnose any condition. However, this is not the case when it comes to the diagnosis of mental health conditions like major depressive disorder.
The doctor needs to be informed of particular depressive symptoms in order to properly diagnose and treat depression. To check for depression, they could ask a series of common questions. While a patient’s general health will be revealed through a physical examination, a doctor can discover additional information from a patient that is important for diagnosing depression. For instance, a patient may provide information about their daily moods, activities, and lifestyle choices.
Because clinical depression can manifest in so many different ways, diagnosing depression is frequently challenging. For instance, some people with clinical depression appear to withdraw and become apathetic. Some people could become agitated or even irritable. Exaggerated eating and sleeping schedules are possible.
How Do Symptoms of Depression Lead to Diagnosis?
To be diagnosed with depression, one needs to have at least five of the symptoms from the following list:
- Feelings of despair,
- Angry bouts,
- Loss of interest,
- Fatigue and lack of energy,
- Sleep disturbances,
- Anxiety,
- Trouble focusing and making decisions,
- Memory issues,
- Suicidal thoughts, and
- Physical effects of depression such as backaches, headaches, and cramps.
Types of Depression:
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD):
Symptoms last longer than 2 weeks and interrupt daily life activities.
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Bipolar Depression:
People with bipolar disorders have alternating periods of low mood and extremely high energy also called maniac episodes. During the low mood phase, they may experience symptoms of depression such as feelings of loneliness, hopelessness, and lack of energy.
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Depression (Pre-Natal and Postpartum):
child-bearing females may encounter depressive attacks near the time of birth or after birth.
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Persistent Depressive Disorder:
It is less severe than major depressive disorder and is also called dysthymia.
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Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder:
It is a severe type of premenstrual disorder. it lingers on till the start of the menstrual period.
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Psychotic Depression:
This type of depression includes hallucinations and delusions.
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Seasonal Affective Disorder:
It is usually due to the change of seasons, starting in late fall and prevailing till spring and summer.
What Causes Depression?
Many things can lead to depression, including:
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Brain chemistry:
Depression may be caused by anomalies in brain chemistry.
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Genetics:
You may be more inclined to develop depression if a family member already struggles with it.
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Life events:
Depression can be a result of stress, past traumatic incidents, loneliness, and an absence of social support.
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Medical Conditions:
Chronic physical discomfort and ailments might contribute to depression. Diabetes, cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and other conditions are oftentimes co-existing with depression in people.
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Medication:
Depression is a side effect of certain drugs. Alcohol and recreational substances can both render depression or aggravate it.
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Personality:
People who have problems controlling and are quickly overwhelmed may be more exposed to depression.
The Prognosis for People with Depression:
Depression can either be mild or severe depending on the symptoms. It should be treated right away once it is diagnosed to ensure a long healthy life.
How Can Depression Be Treated?
There are multiple ways to treat depression, some of which are listed below:
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Self-help:
Exercise, sufficient sleep, and spending time with loved ones can significantly help in enhancing depression symptoms.
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Counseling:
Talking to a mental health professional and communicating your concerns with them can help you better understand your condition and ways to manage it.
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Alternative Medicine:
Complementary therapy can be helpful in improving the symptoms of depression.
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Medication:
Antidepressants help in altering the brain chemistry that happens to cause depression.
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Brain Stimulation Therapy:
It helps people with severe depression. There are different types of brain stimulation therapy such as electroconvulsive therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and vagus nerve stimulation.
Supporting Your Loved Ones
Dealing with depression alone can be extremely taxing. It is important to help and provide support to your loved ones. Words of appreciation and kindness can go a long way. Therefore, it is always good to be considerate towards others as it may aid in someone’s recovery.
Some of the ways that can help you in supporting people with a Major Depressive Disorder are:
- Gain knowledge about depression by doing your research and asking knowledgeable people around you. Understand that you can not fix things in a blink of an eye.
- Try to listen to what they have to say. Listen to understand and not respond only.
- Make them feel valued.
- People with depression need constant support and reassurance. Remind them of their worth every now and then, it helps them feel confident about themselves.
- Refer or suggest they visit a therapist who can better guide them about their condition and ways to manage their symptoms.
Outlook
Major Depressive Disorder is a crippling condition that affects millions of people every year. It can affect anyone of any age. Depression can have a negative effect on one’s mental and physical well-being. It is vital to be aware of your symptoms and work towards improving your lifestyle so that your symptoms do not aggravate. Your willingness to improve yourself is the key to a quick recovery. Remember no one can help you better than yourself Locate Clinical Research Organizations in the US that may benefit people suffering from complex conditions.
In this blog we will be covering all the major depressive disorder in detail along with its management strategies.
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