Depression is a mood disorder that interferes with the development of daily activities. Sometimes we can feel sad or melancholic, but these feelings do not usually last for more than a few weeks. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression affects more than 350 million people globally and is a cause of global disability. This alteration affects adults, but children can also suffer from depressive disorders. However, they present different symptoms and pay attention to school performance, behavior, and sleep changes. At FastlyHealwe will develop the types, causes, symptoms, and treatment of depression.
Table of Contents
Types of depression
There are four types of depression:
- Severe depressive disorder is the combination of symptoms that prevent the enjoyment of previously pleasant activities and affect the development of daily tasks. Major depression can happen once. However, it can recur throughout your life.
- Dysthymic disorder: its symptoms can last more than two years. Although it is not as severe as the previous one, it does not hinder the person who suffers from it, but it does prevent them from functioning in a usual way or feeling well emotionally. This disorder can also develop at particular times, such as postpartum depression or psychotic depression.
- Seasonal Affective Disorder – Occurs during the colder and dimly-lit seasons of the year and usually disappears during the spring and summer months
- Bipolar disorder: is also known as manic depressive illness. It is characterized by exaggerated mood swings, which result in complicated interpersonal relationships.
Causes of depression
There is no cause for depression. Instead, it comprises genetic, biochemical, and psychological factors. It is common for depression to be passed from parents to children, either genetically or through learned behaviors. Depressive disorder can be started by an unhappy or stressful event in life.
Other factors that can influence suffering from a depressive disorder:
- Drug addiction or alcoholism
- Loneliness widespread in older adults
- Long-term chronic pain conditions
Symptoms of depression
The symptoms of depression can vary depending on the person who suffers from it. It should be noted that the more severe the symptoms, the more difficult recovery will be. They generally include:
- Persistent feelings of emptiness, sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, or guilt
- Absence of emotional responses
- Thoughts of death or suicide
- Loss or increase of appetite
- Difficult to focus
- Tiredness and lack of energy
- Difficulty to sleep
- Inactivity
- Anxiety
Treatment for depression
The treatment for depression consists of a combination of therapy and drugs because they give better results than each separately. All will depend on the severity of the disorder present. Pharmacological treatment is used for severe or moderate depression; antidepressants will only be prescribed in mild disorders if there are associated medical and psychological problems, other therapies have failed, or a history of severe depression.
On the other hand, therapy can be cognitive-behavioral or interpersonal psychotherapy. The former is usually used as part of maintenance treatment, as it helps prevent relapse. The duration of the therapeutic sessions will depend on the entire context of the patient and his evolution.
When to go to the doctor?
If you have at least three of the symptoms described above, if you hear voices that do not exist, if depression is affecting your personal and work relationships, or if you cry for no apparent reason, you should consult your doctor immediately so that they can indicate the appropriate treatment for you—his condition.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Depression: types, causes, symptoms, and treatment, we recommend that you enter our category of Mental Disorders.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.