A Quick Look at Depression

We all feel down from time to time, that is a normal part of life. Sadness, hopeless, and helpless are normal reaction to life’s events. But, when these feelings become prolonged, out of control, and interfere with person’s relationship, job performance, and daily activities, it may be depression.
Depression is an illness that involves the mind and body. Depression comes in many shapes and forms. There are several forms of depressive disorders.
1. Major depressive disorder, is characterized by a general loss of energy and the inability to enjoy life and experience pleasure. An episode of major depression may occur only once in a person's lifetime, but more often, it recurs throughout a person's life.
2. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is characterized by the onset of a depressive illness during the winter months, when there is less natural sunlight.
3. Postpartum depression is a serious illness that can occur in the first few months after childbirth. It can make you feel very sad, hopeless, and worthless.
4. Dysthymic disorder, also called dysthymia, is a chronic mood disorder with duration of at least 2 years (1 year in adolescents and children).
5. Psychotic depression, occurs when a severe depressive illness is accompanied by some form of psychosis, such as a break with reality, hallucinations, and delusions.
Symptomsr
Depression symptoms include:
Loss of interest in daily activitiesr
Feelings of sadness or unhappinessr
Irritability or frustration, even over small mattersr
Concentration problemsr
Reduced sex driver
Changes in appetite — depression often causes decreased appetite and weight loss, but in some people it causes increased cravings for food and weight gainr
Slowed thinking, speaking or body movementsr
Irritability or restlessnessr
Insomnia or excessive sleepingr
Fatigue, tiredness and loss of energy — even small tasks may seem to require a lot of effortr
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or blaming yourself when things aren't going rightr
Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headachesr
Crying spells for no apparent reasonr
The severity, frequency and duration of symptoms will vary depending on the individual because inherited traits, age, gender and cultural background all play a role in how depression may affect person.

Treatmentr
Fortunately, depression is a treatable illness. Even severe depression can be highly responsive to treatment. The most common treatments are medication and psychotherapy.
Psychotherapyr
Several types of psychotherapy can help people with depression. Two main types of psychotherapies–cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT)-have been shown to be effective in treating depression. By teaching new ways of thinking and behaving, CBT helps people change negative thoughts and behaviors that may contribute to their depression. IPT helps people understand and work through troubled personal relationships that may cause their depression or make it worse.
Medications
A number of antidepressant medications are available to treat depression. There are several different types of antidepressants. Antidepressants are generally categorized by how they affect the naturally occurring chemicals in your brain to change your mood.