What You Need To Know – Antidepressants And Herbs In The Treatment
People Use The Word Depression Loosely To Mean A Number Of Different Moods.
I prefer to use the term “clinical depression” to distinguish the type of depression that may improve with medication. Clinical depression is more than the “blues” or sadness. It is not something a person can “just get over” or talk themselves out of. Clinical depression is at least partially based on brain biochemical imbalance (we are still in early stages of understanding this) and often runs in families. Stress and psychological factors also play an important role, although we do not fully understand the causes and factors that result in clinical depression.
Common Symptoms Of Depression Include:
* sad or irritable mood
* loss of interest / energy
* poor or excessive sleep and appetite
* difficulty with concentration and memory
* physical complaints
Types Of Depression:
There are four types of depression listed in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM 4 TR). The intent of this manual is to help those in the mental health field make accurate diagnoses. One of its goals is to make the diagnosis more consistent between providers. Unfortunately it is often used haphazardly.
1. Adjustment Disorder With Depressed Mood: A reaction to a stressor. (Loss of a loved one, job, physical illness, move etc.) This type of disturbed mood is usually mild and self-limiting. When symptoms last longer than 6 months another type of depression should be considered. Counseling, therapy and support may be sufficient treatment. Medication is not usually necessary.
2. Dysthymia: A chronic low-level depression. It can be very debilitating and may be a part of the personality. It also can be difficult to treat with medication; therapy is recommended.
3. Major depression: A severe form of depression with multiple symptoms as described above. Medication is necessary and usually very effective. Therapy may be helpful after acute symptoms have abated. Suicide potential must be monitored. This can be severe enough to cause psychotic (loss of reality) symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations.
4. Bi-Polar 1 Disorder: A cycle of depression and elevation of mood (hypomania or mania). This can be very severe, with psychotic symptoms. Antidepressants may be avoided due to risk of switching the mood to mania. This condition needs expert psychiatric treatment usually with mood stabilizing medication. (By the way there is a significant amount of confusion and disagreement about this diagnosis especially between Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 disorders. Bipolar 2 disorder is less severe and medication is often not necessary.)
Related Posts...
Antidepressant Medication Combined With Talk Therapy by Health Information
Just as when people think that the only effective treatment for depression is to take drugs, new findings about talk therapy called cognitive behavior therapy appears to cancel the risk of suicidal thinking or behavior associated with taking antidepressant medication.
Drug Therapy Vs Talk Therapy - Which Is More Effective For Depression? by Health Information
Depression is a common condition among individuals.
