Introduction

Depression is a common mental health disorder which causes persons to persistently feel sad and have alterations in the mode of thinking, eating and performing other activities. Depression has been classified into several forms. It is crucial for patients to seek medical assistance early enough since this condition can be treated with medication,psychotherapy (talk therapy), electroconvulsive therapy among others.

It is common for human beings to feel sad during circumstances such as loss of a loved one or property. In the case of depression, sadness persists from day to day and is associated with several other symptoms.

Without proper treatment, depression worsens leading to self-injury and suicide. Despite this, treatment strategies can be very effective in improvement of signs and symptoms.

 

 Key Facts & Statistics

Key facts and statistics about depression

• Depression is a common disorder affecting almost 7% of all adults in the US per year.
• Approximately 4% of minors in the United States suffer from depression.
• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is the leading cause of disability globally.
• Every year, it contributes to almost 40,000 deaths by suicide in the United States.
• It can affect individuals across all age groups, from children to adolescents to adults and even the elderly people. Averagely, it first appears during late teen age to mid-20s.

 

 Risk Factors

What are the risk factors for depression?

• Several factors can play a role as risk factors for the development of depression. These are:

1. Genetics. If either of identical twins has depression, there is 70% likelihood that the other will be affected too at some point in life.
2. Environment. Exposure to surroundings with physical abuse, war and poverty can be a risk factor for depression.
3. Personality. Pessimistic persons are more likely to suffer from depression.
4. Biochemistry. Differences in chemicals in the brain can lead to depression. These crucial chemical neurotransmitters can include serotonin and dopamine.
5. Medical conditions. Some health conditions are associated with higher rates of depression. These are:

•  Stroke.
•  Multiple sclerosis.
• Neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinsonism.
• Cancer.
• Macular degeneration.

 

 Causes

What are the causes of depression?

• It is not exactly clear what causes depression to occur.
• Several factors can lead to development of depression. These are:

1. Brain chemistry.
2. Genetics.
3. Medications.
4. Medical conditions.
5. Stressful circumstances in life.

 

Brain chemistry. An imbalance of chemical neurotransmitters can lead to depression.

Genetics. If your parent or sibling suffers from depression, you too are highly likely to develop the condition.

Medications. Depression can be an adverse effect of some medical drugs.

Medical conditions. Chronic illnesses such as cancer and diabetes can lead to depression.

Stressful circumstances in life. For example, loss of property.

 

 Signs & Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of depression?

• Feeling fatigued.
• Persistently depressed mood.
• Loss of interest in activities which were formerly pleasurable.
• Feeling worthless, hopeless and pessimistic.
• Having thoughts about inflicting injury on self and suicidal tendencies.
• Frequent engagement in high-risk activities.
• Increased drug and substance abuse.
• Experiencing physical problems such as headache and sexual dysfunction.
• Feelings of hopelessness and sadness.
• Easy irritation and frustration.
• Insomnia.
• Excessive or little feeding.
• Difficulty concentrating and poor memory.

 

Types

What are the most common types of depression?

• The most common types of depression are:

1. Persistent depressive disorder.
2. Major depressive disorder (clinical depression).
3. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
4. Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder.

 

Persistent depressive disorder. It is also called dysthymia or dysthymic disorder. It is characterized by symptoms of depression that last for at least 2 years.

Major depressive disorder (clinical depression).

•  Forms of major depressive disorder:

1.  Seasonal affective disorder. It is also known as major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern. It occurs during winter and fall months (when there is less daylight) and may follow other seasonal patterns. It goes away during spring and summer.
2. Prenatal depression and postpartum depression. Prenatal depression starts during pregnancy while postpartum/ postnatal depression begins after the baby has been born.
3. Atypical depression.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder. This is a mild or moderate form of depression which lasts for at least 2 years.

Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. Its symptoms usually begin at 10 years of age and is characterized by chronic irritability and regular outbursts of anger in children.

 

  Diagnosis

 Diagnostic Procedures  & Tests

• Patient-history taking. This involves obtaining data on presenting symptoms, in addition to previous medical and mental health history.
• To diagnose a patient with depression, the patient must:

1. Have at least 5 symptoms of depression daily.
2. Have these symptoms presenting foe almost the whole day.
3. Have had these symptoms for at least one fortnight (2 weeks).

 

• Medical tests such as blood tests can be ordered and carried out to check any underlying health conditions that may be responsible for depressive signs and symptoms.

 

 Treatment and Management

How is depression treated?

• Depression is treatable. Treatment options include:

1. Pyschotherapy.
2. Medication.
3. Complementary medicine.
4. Brain stimulation therapy.

 

Pyschotherapy

•  It is also called talk therapy.
• The therapist helps the patient in identifying and shunning unhealthy thoughts and habits.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most common form of psychotherapy.

 

Medication

Antidepressants help in altering brain chemistry responsible for causing depression.

Complementary medicine

This includes techniques such as massage and hypnosis.

 

Brain stimulation therapy

• Types of brain stimulation therapy are:

1.  Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS).
2. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
3. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

• These are performed on patients who have :

1.  Severe depression
2.  Depression with psychosis.

 

• To improve depression symptoms, embrace the following activities while at home:

1. Consume a healthy and nutritious diet.
2. Do not drink alcohol. Alcohol is a depressant.
3. Regularly perform exercises.
4. Receive quality sleep.

 

 Complications

What are the complications of depression?

• It can cause physical symptoms such as headache.
• It can lead to poor social relations.
• Increased chance of self-injury.
• Depression can lead to anxiety disorders, panic disorder, or social phobia

 

Prevention

How do we prevent depression?

• It might be close to impossible to prevent depression. However, risk reduction can be done by:
• Embracing a healthy sleep routine and get adequate quantity of sleep.
• Early management of stress.
• Regularly practicing physical exercises and mediation.