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.
Symptoms
Depression symptoms include:
Loss of interest in daily activities
Feelings of sadness or unhappiness
Irritability or frustration, even over small matters
Concentration problems
Reduced sex drive
Changes in appetite — depression often causes decreased appetite and weight loss, but in some people it causes increased cravings for food and weight gain
Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
Irritability or restlessness
Insomnia or excessive sleeping
Fatigue, tiredness and loss of energy — even small tasks may seem to require a lot of effort
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or blaming yourself when things aren't going right
Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches
Crying spells for no apparent reason
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.

Treatment
Fortunately, depression is a treatable illness. Even severe depression can be highly responsive to treatment. The most common treatments are medication and psychotherapy.
Psychotherapy
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.