Depression explained


>Depression is a constant feeling of sadness and loss of interest, which stops you doing your normal activities.
Different types of depression exist, with symptoms ranging from relatively minor to severe.
>Generally, depression does not result from a single event, but from a mix of events and factors.
>If you feel depressed, see your doctor. Don’t delay. Seeking support early can help stop symptoms becoming worse.
On this page:
=Depression is common
=Symptoms of depression
=Causes of depression
=Seek support for symptoms of depression
=Types of depression
=Conclusion


#Depression is common
In any one year, around one million people in Australia experience depression. One in six women and one in eight men will experience depression at some time in their life. The good news is, depression is treatable and effective treatments are available. The sooner a person with depression seeks support, the sooner they can recover.


#Symptoms of depression
Depression affects how people think, feel and act. Depression makes it more difficult to manage from day to day and interferes with study, work and relationships. A person may be depressed if for more than two weeks they have felt sad, down or miserable most of the time or have lost interest or pleasure in most of their usual activities, and have also experienced several of the signs and symptoms across at least three of the categories in the list below. It’s important to note, everyone experiences some of these symptoms from time to time and it may not necessarily mean a person is depressed. Equally, not every person who is experiencing depression will have all of these symptoms.


#Feelings caused by depression
A person with depression may feel:
-sad
-miserable
-unhappy
-irritable
-overwhelmed
-guilty
-frustrated
-lacking in confidence
-indecisive
-unable to concentrate
-disappointed.

#Thoughts caused by depression
A person with depression may have thoughts such as:
> I’m a failure.
> It’s my fault.
> Nothing good ever happens to me.
> I’m worthless.
> There is nothing good in my life.
> Things will never change.
> Life’s not worth living.
> People would be better off without me.

#Behavioural symptoms of depression
A person with depression may:
> withdraw from close family and friends
stop going out
> stop their usual enjoyable activities
not get things done at work or school
rely on alcohol and sedatives.


#Physical symptoms of depression
A person with depression may experience:
> being tired all the time
feeling sick and ‘run down’
frequent headaches, stomach or muscle pains.
> a churning gut
sleep problems
loss or change of appetite
significant weight loss or gain.


#Causes of depression
While the exact cause of depression isn’t known, a number of things can be associated with its development. Generally, depression does not result from a single event, but from a combination of biological, psychological, social and lifestyle factors.


#Personal factors that can lead to a risk of depression include:

> family history – depression can run in families and some people will be at an increased genetic risk. However, this doesn’t mean that a person will automatically experience depression if a parent or close relative has had the condition.
> personality – some people may be more at risk because of their personality, particularly if they tend to worry a lot, have low self-esteem, are perfectionists, are sensitive to personal criticism, or are self-critical and negative
> serious medical conditions – these can trigger depression in two ways. Serious conditions can bring about depression directly or can contribute to depression through the associated stress and worry, especially if it involves long-term management of a condition or chronic pain
> drug and alcohol use – can both lead to and result from depression. Many people with depression also have drug and alcohol problems.

#Life events and depression
Research suggests that continuing difficulties, such as long-term unemployment, living in an abusive or uncaring relationship, long-term isolation or loneliness or prolonged exposure to stress at work can increase the risk of depression.
Significant adverse life events, such as losing a job, going through a separation or divorce, or being diagnosed with a serious illness, may also trigger depression, particularly among people who are already at risk because of genetic, developmental or other personal factors.

#Changes in the brain
Although there has been a lot of research in this complex area, there is still much that we do not know. Depression is not simply the result of a chemical imbalance, for example because a person has too much or not enough of a particular brain chemical. However, disturbances in normal chemical messaging processes between nerve cells in the brain are believed to contribute to depression.

Some factors that can lead to faulty mood regulation in the brain include:
genetic vulnerability severe life stressors taking some medications, drugs and alcoholsome medical conditions.
Most modern antidepressants have an effect on the brain’s chemical transmitters, in particular serotonin and noradrenaline, which relay messages between brain cells. This is thought to be how medications work for depression.

Other medical treatments such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may sometimes be recommended for people with severe depression who have not recovered with lifestyle change, social support, psychological therapy and medication. While these treatments also have an impact on the brain’s chemical messaging process between nerve cells, the precise ways in which these treatments work is still being researched.

moderate level of mania) and periods of depressive symptoms, with very short periods (no more than two months) of normality between.

The symptoms last for a shorter time, are less severe, and are not as regular, so they don’t fit the criteria of bipolar disorder or major depression.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
SAD is a mood disorder that has a seasonal pattern. The cause is unclear, but may be related to the variation in light exposure in different seasons. SAD is characterised by mood disturbances (either periods of depression or mania) that begin and end in a particular season. Depression in winter only is the most common way in which people experience SAD.
SAD is usually diagnosed after the person has had the same symptoms during winter for two or more years. People with SAD are more likely to experience lack of energy, sleep too much, overeat, gain weight and crave carbohydrates.
SAD is rare in Australia, and more likely to be found in countries with short days and longer periods of darkness, such as the cold climate in the Northern Hemisphere.


Conclusion:
> Affective disorders remain one of the most commonly occurring mental illnesses in adults.
> It is often undiagnosed and untreated.
> Both pharmacological and no pharmacological interventions acts as cornerstone in the treatment of affective disorders.
> Pharmacist plays an important role in accomplishing these treatment goals.

BY SHILPA PATEL.


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