| Depressive Disorders |
| * Depression is a real illness, affecting real people and it can be very serious. In contrast to the normal emotional experiences of sadness, loss or passing mood states, depression is persistent and can interfere significantly with a person's ability to function properly. |
| A depressive disorder is a syndrome (group of symptoms) that reflects a sad mood exceeding normal sadness or grief. More specifically, the sadness of depression is characterized by a greater intensity and duration and by more severe symptoms and functional disabilities than is normal. Depressive disorders are characterized not only by negative thoughts, moods, and behaviours, but also by specific changes in bodily functions (eg. eating, sleeping and sexual activity). The functional changes are often called neurovegetative signs. |
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| Are There Different Types Of Depression? Depressive disorders come in different forms, just like other illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes. I will discuss the three most common types of depressive illnesses and their symptoms. However, please remember, that within these types, there are variations in the number, severity and the persistence of the symptoms. |
| Major Depression Major depression is characterized by a combination of symptoms, including a sad mood, that interferes with the ability to eat, sleep, work and enjoy once-pleasurable activities. Disabling episodes of depression can occur once, twice or several times in a lifetime. |
| Dysthymia Dysthymia is a less severe type of depression. It involves long-term (chronic) symptoms, that do not disable, but prevent the affected person from functioning at 'full steam' or from feeling good. Sometimes, people with dysthymia also experience episodes of major depression. This combination of the two types of depression is referred to as double-depression. |
| Bipolar Disorder Another type of depression is bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression. Not nearly as common as other types of depressive disorders, bipolar disorder involves cycles of depression and mania, or elation. Bipolar disorder is often a chronic, recurring condition. Sometimes the mood switches are rapid and dramatic, but most often they are gradual. When in the depressed cycle, the person can experience any or all of the symptoms of a depressive disorder. When in the manic cycle, any or all of the manic symptoms may be experienced. Mania often affects thinking, judgement and social behaviour in ways that can cause serious problems or embarrassment. The usual form of bipolar disorder is called bipolar I. A variant on this is bipolar II, in which the person experiences repeated depressive episodes and hypnomania, or mini-highs. These euphoric states in bipolar II do not meet the criteria for the complete manic episodes which occur in bipolar I. |
| What Are The Symptoms Of Depression And Mania? Not everyone who is depressed or manic experiences every symptom. Some people experience a few symptoms and some people many symptoms. The severity of symptoms also varies with individuals. |
| Depression * Persistently sad, anxious or 'empty' mood. * Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism. * Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness. * Loss of interest in hobbies or activities that were once enjoyed, including sex. * Insomnia, early-morning wakening or oversleeping. * Decreased appetite and/or weight loss, or overeating and weight gain. * Fatigue, decreased energy, feeling 'slowed down'. * Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts. * Restlessness, irritability. * Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions. * Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders and chronic pain. |
| Mania * Inapropriate elation. * Inapropriate irritability. * Severe insomnia. * Grandiose notions. * Increased talking speed and/or volume. * Disconnected and racing thoughts. * Increased sexual desire. * Markedly increased energy. * Poor judgement. * Inapropriate social behaviour. * Paranoid thoughts. * Extreme hostility, possibly leading to violence. |
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