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What Are The Main Symptoms Of Depression ?

  • Posted on July 1, 2009 at 7:36 pm

Let’s face it. There is still a stigma attached to mental illness and depression is no exception. There is little understanding of the disorder in general although depression symptoms are well documented. But medically speaking, we are light years way from effective, safe treatment. Up to now the only conventional medication has been tricyclics and SSRIs which have all been associated with some nasty side effects and the most alarming fact of all is that nobody knows exactly how these medications work on our brains.

Before we consider alternatives, let us look at the main symptoms of depression. Manic depression is sometimes referred to as bipolar and the latter name reflects the two extremes of symptoms from euphoric (manic) to deep depression. These changes can be very sudden and disconcerting for those around the individual. The sufferer may be on a high for quite long periods and display great energy but also irritability, aggressive and violent behavior.

The main symptoms of depression from the mild to the moderate will be less dramatic but still worrying for those who are close to the depressed person. Depression is a state of deep melancholy and gradually the sufferer gets sucked into a deep black hole where gloom, pessimism and a sense of hopelessness, bleakness and helplessness become so persistent and pervasive that daily activities are affected and the person just cannot function. These feelings often lead to suicide because that is the only action or way out for the depressed person.

There is a notable loss of self esteem and there is no longer any pleasure in doing the things he or she always loved doing. There is a lack of energy , lethargy takes over and depressed people tend to sleep for much longer although lack of sleep or insomnia can also be present. Individuals will vary. There is a distinct lack of interest in the people and the world around them, indecision and eating disorders. When there is talk of ending it all and a lot of talk about death, this is another one of the main symptoms of depression.

The fact that more people are now suffering from depression symptoms but there is a lower percentage of people actively seeking help and treatment may be due to the FDA back box warnings on the medicines about suicides. This may well have put people off seeking medication but no medication is worse than some medication.

Medications may cause side effects which in turn may lead to even more depressed thoughts which seems a rather sadistic way of treating an illness in my view. I know that herbal depression treatment can restore balance and serenity to the troubled mind while improving mood and really alleviate the main symptoms of depression with very few or minor side effects. Why not find out more about this alternative?

Want to learn how to deal with the main symptoms of depression ? Robert Locke has written extensively on Mental Health for many years.

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Atypical Depression

  • Posted on July 1, 2009 at 7:36 pm

Atypical depression, a subtype of major depression, is the most common form of depression today. People who suffer atypical depression exhibit all the normal symptoms of depression but they also react to external positive experiences in a positive way. Atypical depression sufferers respond to their environment, enjoying the company of friends but slipping back into deep depression when alone or faced with a stressful situation. It is this aspect of atypical depression that differentiates it from melancholic depression in which external positive experiences still result in depressed feelings.

People who suffer from atypical depression also exhibit other symptoms that aren’t normally associated with “normal” depression including:

• Increase in appetite with a weight gain of ten or more pounds.
• Hypersomnia -over sleeping of more than 10 hours per day.
• Leaden paralysis of the arms and legs
• Long term pattern of sensitivity to rejection in personal situations that causes social or work related withdrawal.

In 1998 Dr. Andrew A. Nierenberg, associate director of the depression clinical and research program at Massachusetts General Hospital, published a study that found 42% of participants suffered from atypical depression, 12% had melancholic depression, 14% had both depression subtypes and the remaining did not suffer from depression.

Studies have also found that atypical depression begins earlier in a person’s life than other forms of depression with most sufferers beginning to show symptoms in their teenage years. Those who suffer from atypical depression are also at greater risk of suffering from other mental disorders such as social phobias, avoidant personality disorder or body dysmorphic disorder. Atypical depression is more prevalent in females than males as well, with nearly 70% of it’s sufferers being women.

Treating atypical depression is an ongoing process. Research has shown that MAOIs such as Nardil or Parnate work reasonably well as do the newer SSRI medications (Lexapro, Prozac, Zoloft). Most patients prefer the SSRIs because they do not exhibit the unpleasant side affects of the MAOIs.

It is also important that if you or someone you know suffers from atypical depression that you or they seek psychiatric help. Atypical depression is not easy to diagnose the treatment choices can vary from patient to patient. A general care practitioner does not have the expertise to differentiate between the subtypes of depression and may not know the best course of treatment for their patient.

Andrew Bicknell is a writer and Webmaster of Depression and You.com. Visit his website for more information about Atypical Depression and other depression disorders.

Article Source: Atypical Depression

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