There are three main categories of depression disorder. They are known as Bipolar Disorder, Chronic Depression Disorder and Major Depression Disorder. Of the three mood disorders Major Depression Disorder is the most severe. This disorder may also be called Severe Depression.

In Severe Depression the cause can be a single traumatic event in your life. It could even be the result of many personal disappointments and problems in your life. Sometimes it is possible to develop Severe Depression without any traumatic events or life problems. Still other times people who suffer from Chronic Depression can go into Severe Depression as a result of a traumatic event.

The symptoms of depression are also present in Severe Depression. They are however more intense than normal depression symptoms. For most people who suffer from Severe Depression, they can either have a recurring Severe Depression episode or their Severe Depression may occur only once in their lifetime and never reoccur again.

Recurring Severe Depression is where the individual will have periods of Severe Depression that are followed by periods of depression. After these bouts of depression are finished, they will be able to live at least several years without any episodes of depression. They may have another episode of Severe Depression which can arise due to some traumatic event. In a single episode of Severe Depression the symptoms occur due to a major traumatic event in the individual’s life. Once medical treatment has taken effect, the Severe Depression will not occur again in their lifetime.

In general the medication that is prescribed for Severe Depression is anti-depressants. There are several types of depression medications that are used for Severe Depression. These medications include Tricyclics, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, Serotonin Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors, Noradrenergic and Serotonergic anti-depressants, Serotonin 5-HT (2) Receptor Antagonists, Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors and Bupropion.

The other type of treatment that works for Severe Depression is that of cognitive-behavioral therapy. The best method of treatment is that of medication combined with cognitive therapy. The therapy is used to treat the psychological aspects of Severe Depression while the medication will treat the symptoms of Severe Depression.

The intensified symptoms of Severe Depression include restlessness, irritability, insomnia, oversleeping, fatigue, thoughts of death, suicide, early morning waking, pessimism, hopelessness, weight loss or gain, and a change in appetite

These symptoms coupled with any traumatic incident or an accumulation of life problems can trigger either recurring Severe Depression or episodic Severe Depression. Both types of Severe Depression need to be treated as the consequences can be life threatening. Should you suspect that you may be having Severe Depression then you should get immediate medical help.



Thanks to Krishan Bakhru for contributing this article to our Depression blog:

Best Medication For Depression

Those who suffer from signs of depression and related disorders may know the warning signs symptoms of depression all too well. They also know that these disorders tend to manifest themselves as repeated episodes of the depressive condition with the typical patient having many distinct episodes during their lives.

While not identical in every person, 10 signs of depression that may be experienced can include any of these:

1. Difficulty sleeping or other disruptions of sleep patterns

2. Overwhelming feelings of anxiety and/or sorrow at inappropriate times

3. Loss of interest in pastimes formerly enjoyed

4. A sensation of hopelessness, lack of self esteem and feelings of guilt

5. Fatigue and overall lower energy levels

6. Loss of appetite or abnormally large appetite, leading to weight loss or gain

7. Suicidal thoughts and recurring thoughts about death

8. Irritability, restlessness and short temper

9. Memory lapses and an inability to concentrate

10. Difficulty in maintaining close or romantic relationships

The warning signs symptoms of depression have increased in frequency in western industrialized societies, especially among those born after 1930. Some have concluded that pollution and its attendant harmful effects on the human body are to blame for some of the increase in depressive disorders and has ramped up the number of persons suffering from depression signs.

Experiencing one or more of the 10 signs of depression and other mood disorders has to do with levels of neurotransmitters, specifically dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine along with changes in the neural pathways of the brain. Imbalances between the neurotransmitters appear to be a cause of depression in many cases where depression signs are manifested.

Depression signs can derail careers and relationships, cause school work to go downhill and lower quality of life. The feelings of despair, sadness and frustration can make it impossible to function normally and relate to others. In many cases, depression goes undiagnosed due to the stigma borne by mental illness or failure of medical professionals to correctly diagnose or treat the problem.

Those who suffer from this condition often choose to self-medicate rather than go through the side effects of prescription medications. These people may use alcohol, caffeine or street drugs in an effort to feel better, which never works in the long run. Many of those who commit suicide happen to have symptoms of depression.

An additional problem faced by those suffering from depressive disorders is the stigma which is attached to the ailment. People who have depression signs are sometimes seen as crazy, unpredictable, even dangerous! In short, they are often avoided because of their disorder which only adds to their feelings of isolation and despair.

The stigma associated with depression signs can be devastating to those afflicted with depression. Teachers, co-workers, neighbors and employers will tend to treat them differently because of the disorder. It can be difficult to hide in many situations, for instance, when trying to get a new job. While it is not legal to ask a prospective employee about medical conditions they may have, one does not necessarily want to withhold the truth from an interviewer.

At the same time, it might be a long shot to actually land that job if your interviewer is aware of your depression. This is a case whether or not your depressive disorder would affect the quality of your work. In the case of students, teachers may treat them differently and the student could suffer from low expectations on the part of teachers.

There is also a lot of misinformation about persons with mental illness of any sort, with many making the assumption that all such persons are potentially violent and feared as a possible danger. Again, this leads people to isolate the sufferer, making their life even even worse.

Health insurance plans offered by employers often will involve higher premiums from the employer if a new hire has health problems, including depression signs. The employers fear is that their premiums will go through the roof if they are to take on a new employee with any sort of preexisting medical issues. This is true! Those who suffer from depression signs and disorders hardly get a fair shake from insurance companies.

The feelings of worthlessness and isolation that are felt by those who suffer from a depressive disorder are made worse by the stigma attached to the condition among the general public. This leaves the patient feeling even worse, their sensation of inadequacy and guilt compounded by the way that society treats them.

Society as a whole must learn to treat those with depression and other mental illnesses like the human beings that they really are. They are simply human beings with an illness, no different than a physical illness, merely different symptoms.



Thanks to David Lee Buster for contributing this article to our Depression blog:

Have you claimed your Genesis site?

People are often reluctant to consult a physician or health professional for emotional problems, but treatment for depression is crucial once it is diagnosed. However, if treatment for depression is not administered correctly, the condition could become worse. Treatment for depression should target all present symptoms. There are many symptoms of depression, including suicidal tendencies, long periods of sadness, and a total lack of self-confidence. Treatment of depression becomes the toughest when the patient and the patient’s family members are not co-operative.

The treatment of depression should attach importance to the major cause of depression(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Depression.html), which is a chemical imbalance in the brain. The treatment of depression often aims at the imbalance and works on correcting it. Unfortunately, doctors find that the treatment of depression can always have side effects because of the strong medication. A study in Canada suggested that the bones of patients undergoing treatment for depression were less dense than those of others, and were brittle.

Foods Useful in the Treatment of Depression

Cardamom and asparagus are two foods that are used in the treatment of depression(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Depression.html). Other natural substances known to work well in the treatment of depression include lemon balm, cashew nuts and rose petals. Drinking a lot of water is recommended as well ¨C at least eight glasses a day - and avoiding red meat can be helpful in the treatment of depression. “Cooling foods”, such as most vegetables and many citrus fruits, are supposed to aid treatment of depression as well because they can reduce acidity levels in the body and thus keep the mind calm.

Supplements and Vitamins for the Treatment of Depression

There are some supplements and vitamins for depression treatment(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Depression.html). Vitamin B has been found in trials to be very effective. It is likely to increase serotonin, a hormone which is known to improve mood levels in the brain. Omega 3 is a good supplement for depression as well because it can keep the spirits high. Don’t forget that some situations can set back the effective absorption of vitamins and minerals into the body. For example, vitamin absorption decreases with age. During the treatment of depression, you should always ask your physician or health professional for advice on optimizing supplement absorption.

Holistic Treatment for Depression

Breathing exercises, workouts and relaxation exercises ought to be included in the treatment of depression, too. It has been found that deep breathing is helpful for depression treatment, as is meditation. There are many other treatments, such as aromatherapy, massages, reflexology and acupuncture. In order to address all the visible symptoms, a holistic view has to be taken in the treatment of depression. A combination including conventional medicine, alternative treatment, and good nutrition is strongly recommended for the effective treatment of depression.



Thanks to Mitamins Team for contributing this article to our Depression blog:

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Can you answer ’s question about Depression?:

Could u tell me what the symptoms of depression and/or bpd?

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Can you answer Crazy_person’s question about Depression?:

Like symptoms other than the obvious ones like feeling down.

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