Major depressive disorder, or clinical depression - it is one of the most common types of depression. For this disorder is characterized by a whole range of symptoms that can lead to problems with sleep, work, communication, and in extreme cases - for self-harm and suicide.

Types of Depression

• Clinical depression - is not the same thing as a bad mood that persists for several days; a person suffering from a depression, experiencing depression and other symptoms of the disease on a daily basis, during at least two consecutive weeks. If a bad mood in humans there are "gaps" - at times he forgets about his problems, it might have something to laugh and so on, that a patient with a major depressive disorder, depression constant, regardless of external circumstances. Many people with this disorder if deprived of the ability to enjoy life and lose their sense of humor. Moreover, gradually due to this disease person loses the ability to work normally, and interact with other people. The causes of major depressive disorder may be the death of a loved one, divorce, social isolation, loneliness Loneliness - this is not new, or why am I still alone? , Drastic changes in the life, physical, sexual and psychological violence, as well as some endocrine diseases. Some patients might be just one episode of clinical depression throughout their lives, but most of the episodes are repeated more than once.
• Dysthymia or chronic depression, is characterized by long-term (two years or more) the state of depression. Its symptoms are similar to the symptoms of major depression, but they are expressed more weakly, and most people with this disorder are able to operate and, in general, a normal life.
• Atypical depression. Patients with this disease are observed as the usual symptoms of depression, and a number of characteristic features such as over-eating, excessive sleep, lethargy, sensitivity to various stimuli. In addition, people with atypical depression response to various events can be deteriorating or improving mood (in the clinical depression or chronic depression, usually retained irrespective of external circumstances).
• Bipolar disorder - a disorder that formerly known as manic depression - is a complex disease, which is characterized by alternating periods of severe depression and mania (elevated mood, agitation, increased activity). Diagnosing bipolar disorder is very difficult - the patients themselves often ignore the symptoms, taking them just for the features of his character, and if they go to the doctor, there is a significant likelihood that it would be put misdiagnosis.
• Seasonal depression is developed annually, at one and the same time. It usually begins in the fall or winter and ending in spring (autumn depression), but there is a rare summer depression, symptoms of which appear in spring or early summer and disappear with the onset of autumn.
• Psychotic depression. This violation of the typical symptoms of depression combined with delusions and hallucinations sometimes.
• Postpartum depression develops, it is estimated that one in ten women giving birth. This disorder is diagnosed when symptoms characteristic of major depressive disorder occur within one month after delivery.

Symptoms of depression

Although each type of depression has its own diagnostic criteria, there are a number of symptoms that are observed in the majority of depression:

• Problems concentrating, remembering or making decisions;
• Lethargy, fatigue;
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and / or helplessness;
• Feelings of hopelessness and pessimism;
• Sleep disorders - Insomnia, waking during the night or very early in the morning, and excessive sleep;
• Irritability, anxiety;
• Loss of interest in what previously enjoyed, including sex and hobbies;
• Overeating or loss of appetite;
• Frequent headaches and muscle cramps, digestive problems that do not disappear after treatment;
• The constant feeling of depression, anxiety, emptiness;
• Thoughts of suicide, self-harm, suicide attempts.

Unfortunately, at least half of the total number of people who have seen at least a quarter of the above symptoms, never go to the doctor and do not receive appropriate treatment. Doctors strongly recommend that if you suspect depression as soon as possible to seek medical help.

Depression and suicide

If left untreated, depression, especially in its severe forms, such as major depressive disorder can be life-threatening. One out of ten people suffering from depression at least once attempted suicide. Signs that a person suffering from depression, thinking about leaving the life can be:

• Frequent talk about death;
• Worsening symptoms of depression;
• Risky behavior, like the fate of a person experiences - for example, it can flagrantly violate traffic rules;
• Lack of interest in activities, and to people who had previously been important to him;
• The words which man emphasizes his helplessness, hopelessness, meaninglessness of life;
• The sudden change of mood for the better - a man who had long been suppressed, suddenly becomes calm and even looks happy (it happens when people decide to suicide);
• Bringing affairs in order - a person can, for example, create or change a will, or to visit people who are dear to him, to ask for forgiveness for old wrongs, pay debts and so on.

Any of the above symptoms should be taken very seriously, and especially - if the person has previously made a suicide attempt; 20% -50% of people who committed suicide, had previously attempted to commit suicide. Listen carefully to the person, if he speaks to you about suicide, but do not try to argue with him or dissuade; saying that in the life of so many wonderful things that make life worth living, that will still be good - it is useless if such words help, suicide would be much less. Just let the person know that you are listening and understand that you are nearby. Consult your doctor for advice on how to behave in such a man, and in extreme cases call the emergency services.

Treatment

Which method of treating a patient approach depends on what kind of depression was diagnosed. When major depression commonly used antidepressants, psychotherapy, or a combination of drug treatment and psychotherapy. If these treatment methods do not help, they can be used electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT, transcranial magnetic stimulation and vagus nerve stimulation. For the treatment of bipolar depression, antidepressants are not effective enough, and patients with this disorder, doctors may prescribe mood stabilizers (mood stabilizers) and some atypical antipsychotics.

No one type of treatment for depression Treating Depression   It does not give instant results. Sometimes you have to try several different combinations of medications and treatments to determine the appropriate for a particular patient type of therapy. In addition, great importance is the extent to which the patient adheres to the treatment plan developed - without some effort on his part can not be a successful treatment for depression.

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