We see diabetics who are happy, we see hypertensive people who laugh a lot, we even come across cancer patients who smile in the face of impending death, but do you ever see a person suffering from depression, smile? Hardly ever. Any disorder is dangerous which has prolapsed down to the mental level. Depression is one such major disorder.
Everyone Reacts Differently to the Same Type of Depression
For that matter, we all have expectations and we all face disappointments. Every one of us turns sad several times a day. Does it mean are we all suffering from depression? One is said to be suffering from clinical depression when people around start sensing something wrong with that individual. It is unusual for such a person to smile. The reason why everyone reacts differently to a blow is the variation in the maturity level and the type of outlook towards life. Depression is more likely to occur in homes where abuse and family conflicts are persistent.
Individuals who are in habit of always comparing themselves with others are more prone to depression. Those who always compare themselves with the people above the rank suffer from depression. The opposite is also true. Those who compare themselves with the people below the rank turn egoistic. People who are inclined spiritually are less prone to such bipolar fluctuations because they are more stable. People who are sensitive to criticism fall prey to depression very easily, more so if they have low self-esteem. Those with a fault-finding habit whose upper half of the glass is always empty, easily succumb to depression. Repeated disappointments in spite of good efforts can also lead to depression. Those who lead moral life may slip into depression when the influence of unethical or moral factors around becomes devastating for them to bear.
Is Depression Hereditary?
Yes, depression runs in families. Nearly 50% of the causes are genetic and remaining 50% constitute social, familial and economic factors.
Types Of Depression
When the overwhelming sadness leading to dysfunction remains for at least 2 weeks along with the other 5 major criteria, it is called major depressive disorder. Depression appearing in the form of recurring episodes over 2 years is termed as persistent depressive disorder. Baby Blues associated with pregnancy and childbirth is called postpartum depression. 80% of the women are affected by it due to hormonal changes and stress associated with neonatal care. When a person suffers from a serious medical problem like cancer which leads to future worries about his family members, such type of depression is called depression associated with medical disorder. There are certain chemotherapeutic drugs which act upon the brain and cause depression, called drug associated depression. Sometimes, a person has to face unemployment, bereavement, psychological trauma, economic loss, etc. Depression resulting from such events is called situational depression. A common form of depression experienced by almost all of us when we have to adjust to the new working place or with new colleagues living away from our family is called adjustment disorder. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is when depression typically strikes in winter, for no reason!
How Severe is Your Depression?
When the symptoms are more on the physical plain than mental, it is mild depression.
When the above symptoms are accompanied by considerable disability to perform work and complete loss of interest in everything, it is moderate depression.
When the symptoms of moderate depression just described, are complicated by psychotic symptoms like illusions, delusions and paranoid state, it is severe depression.
MILD DEPRESSION
MODERATE DEPRESSION
SEVERE DEPRESSION
CONTD IN PART II
In Part II we will discuss:
• Do Antidepressants Work?
• Appalling Statistics of Depression
• What is the Best Treatment for Depression?
• Psychotherapy and Other Complimentary Therapies
• Most useful books on depression
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