What Are the Symptoms of Depression?
Depression is an illness of the mind that can make you feel hopeless, sad or empty. It can also cause you to lose interest in things you used to love. In extreme cases, it may lead to thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
A doctor will diagnose depression based on the symptoms and your medical history. They may prescribe tests in order to rule out any conditions which resemble depression.
Mood swings
Mood swings can be a sign of depression. This is especially evident when they disrupt the daily routine and relationships. They can also trigger a lack in energy and a change of appetite. If you're experiencing these signs, it's essential to see your doctor immediately. They might recommend medication or psychotherapy.
There are many kinds of mood disorders, that vary in severity and duration of episodes. Some people only have one episode of depression in their lives, while others experience several. Mood disorders also affect males and women differently. Women are more prone to depression-related episodes than males.
A diagnosis of depression or bipolar disorder requires a history of manic episodes or depression lasting two weeks or more. These episodes should be separated by periods of normal mood. In a depression episode you'll feel immense sadness or emptyness. In a manic state, you will feel a sense of extreme excitement or irritability. During both of these episodes, you'll experience difficult to sleep and be unable to concentrate. In certain cases, you might experience hallucinations and dreams.
In addition to mood swings, depression may cause feelings of despair and helplessness. Some people might have suicidal thoughts or plans, while others will feel that they aren't able to carry with the flow of life.
Other signs of depression include difficulties sleeping, loss of interest in hobbies or activities as well as changes in appetite. If you notice these signs on someone you know, it's important to reach out to them and offer your support.
You can also try keeping a mood diary to track changes in your mood. This will assist you and your physician to better understand the signs and symptoms and identify triggers. Numerous resources are available to help manage your symptoms. These include support groups and self-help online services.
It's important to seek help immediately when you're experiencing depression disorder. Your GP can refer you to a mental team in the event of need. In the UK the most likely place to go is be your local community mental health team (CMHT). Some GPs will also recommend a specific medication to help control mania or depression, such as lithium.
Here are some ways to decrease your risk of contracting a disease:
Depression is a serious mental illness that affects your mood, thoughts and behavior. It can range from mild and temporary to severe and persistent. It can affect your relationships, work and it can make it hard to get through the day. Speak to your doctor if experiencing symptoms of depression. They can assist you in selecting the most effective treatment.
You may need to test several different treatments before you discover what works for you. Inform your doctor about the duration and often the symptoms have been present. They may ask whether your symptoms are similar in any way to those caused by certain medical conditions or medications, like thyroid disorders or viral infections.
The most frequent symptom of depression is feeling depressed or sad. You might also experience a lack of interest or pleasure in all activities and feel worthless and hopeless, guilt-ridden or depressed. You may have difficulty in sleeping or concentrating and your appetite could change. You may have suicidal feelings or thoughts, or feel empty or depressed.
The symptoms of depression could be different for women and men and also based on age. Children may show depression symptoms by refusing to go to school, becoming angry or clinging to a parent. People with depression symptoms in their 50s, 60s or more are more likely to turn to alcohol and drugs to deal with their feelings than those who are younger.
Depression can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics and brain chemistry. Stress or major life events and certain illnesses are also possible causes. anxiety depression symptoms in hormones during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, perimenopausal and menopausal change can all cause depression. People with a family history are at a higher risk of depression.
Depression can be treated. The majority of people seeking treatment will improve with either psychotherapy or antidepressant medication or a combination of both. You should see your physician to get a diagnosis if suffer from depression for more than two weeks. They will want to hear about your symptoms, your family history of depression, and any other mental or physical illnesses that you have. They will also require tests on your lab to rule out medical ailments.
Bipolar disorder
Everyone experiences moments of high and low, but for people with bipolar disorder (formerly known as manic depression) the mood swings are quite extreme. These episodes can cause highs called mania or hypermania, as well as depression-like episodes that are usually deeper than normal depression. These episodes can affect the way you sleep, your energy levels, activity levels and judgment. Bipolar disorder may also cause guilt and irritability as well as feelings of restlessness.
When you are in a state of manic you might feel happy and feeling energized. You could also be creative and productive. You may talk a lot, sleep very little and be a whirlwind of thoughts that make it difficult to concentrate. This can result in an impulsive behavior, such as spending money on unneeded items or quitting your job without notice. When you are experiencing a depression, you might feel hopeless or sad and lose interest in various activities. You may also have suicidal thoughts.
If you suspect you're having a manic or depressive episode, it is essential to consult your GP as soon as you can. Your GP will ask you about your symptoms and medical history. They will do an examination of your body and conduct tests for blood to look for any medical conditions that might affect your mood. They will refer you to a psychiatrist on your local NHS community mental health team (CMHT) in the event that they suspect bipolar disorder.
It is important to discuss any adverse consequences with your doctor. You can prevent manic or depression-related episodes by following the prescribed medication. You should not stop your medication unless you are instructed to do so by your doctor.
Talk therapy or psychotherapy may offer support, education and coping strategies for people with bipolar disorders. It can also aid people suffering from depression resulting from bipolar disorder. Treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as well as interpersonal therapy, and family therapy. There are self-help groups that offer information and support for those suffering from bipolar disorder and their families. They can be a good source of support during episodes and can help people identify early signs.
Treatment
In the course of a bipolar depression, it is possible to be extremely depressed or despairing. Other symptoms include changes in appetite or sleep issues. You may also feel an extreme sense of irritability, or even guilt. In severe depression suicidal thoughts and feelings may occur. Your mental health professional will teach you strategies for coping and develop a treatment plan to help you deal these symptoms.
You can boost your mood by taking medication. Antidepressants like fluoxetine or sertraline, which are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), have been beneficial for a lot of people suffering from bipolar disorders. However, these medications might not work for all. Your doctor will recommend the most effective medication for you, according to your medical history and symptoms. Even in times of good health it's essential to keep taking your medication. If you stop taking your medications abruptly, your symptoms are likely to return.
Talk therapy (psychotherapy) is important in treating bipolar depression. Psychotherapy can help you to recognize warning signs of a looming mood episode. It can also teach your loved ones how to manage your illness. Psychotherapy can be done in a private setting or with bipolar disorder sufferers in a group.
Some people with bipolar disorder have episodes of high-energy moods, or mania. These episodes can be accompanied with delusions or illusions, which are false beliefs or perceptions. If you experience a manic episode with these symptoms, you must seek out an emergency room away.
If you have an underlying history of mania, your psychiatrist may prescribe an antidepressant to help prevent manias from occurring again. They might also prescribe an antipsychotic drug like quetiapine or aripiprazole, to reduce the chance of developing a manic episode. They might also recommend electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) which is which is a treatment that can help relieve severe depression. You may also benefit from transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a painless treatment that uses an electromagnetic coil to send small electrical impulses to your brain. It has been demonstrated that it can treat depression that is resistant to medication, but it does not require general anesthesia.