Depression Disorder
1-800-559-9503 | April 14th
There are many different forms of depression but they're not the same thing as just feeling sad or down like we all feel sometimes. There are serious forms of depression that have a severe effect on a person's life and well-being. Unfortunately most people who suffer from a depressive illness never get the diagnosis or treatment they need and this is unfortunate.
Most people suffering from a form of depression are able to be successfully treated and lead a happy functional life. The two most common forms of depression are Major Depressive Disorder and Dysthymic Disorder.
Major Depressive Disorder
When a person is suffering from major depression they're unable to function normally because the symptoms are disabling. Some people may only be affected with major depression one time in their life but most of the time people have major depression episodes throughout their life, at least more than one episode. The symptoms of major depression are so debilitating that the person has a hard time working, sleeping, studying, eating, and they're unable to enjoy their life.
Dysthymic Disorder
Dysthymic disorder is also referred to as dysthymia and lasts 2 years or more. Symptoms that aren't as severe don't keep the person from feeling good and aren't disabling for them. They're still able to function normally. People who have dysthymia can also go through episodes of major depression in their lifetime, sometimes more than once.
Psychotic Depression
When a person is suffering from a severe depressive illness and they begin to experience delusions or hallucinations it's referred to as psychotic depression.
Postpartum Depression
This form of depression is associated in new mothers and can take place within the first month after delivery. Around 10 to 15% of women go through postpartum depression after they give birth.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
This form of depression takes place during the winter months when our natural sunlight decreases. Seasonal affective disorder usually gets better during the spring and summer months. Some people with SAD do well with light therapy but almost half of the people with seasonal affective disorder don't. Psychotherapy and medications can help reduce the symptoms along with light therapy in many people. Sometimes medication and psychotherapy are successful without the need of light therapy.
Depression Symptoms
The symptoms of depression are not exactly the same in every person. Symptoms vary depending on the person and the depressive illness. Everyone is different and each depressive illness is too, this makes a difference when determining how severe, how long and how often these symptoms will occur.
- Emptiness, sadness and anxious persistent feelings
- Feeling hopeless, doubtful or negative
- Feeling worthless, helpless and guilty
- Irritable
- Restless
- Losing interest in things once enjoyed which includes sex
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Loss of energy
- Difficulty in making decisions
- Hard to remember details and facts
- Hard to concentrate
- Insomnia
- Tired all the time and sleeping too much
- Waking up too early
- Eating too much or not enough because of loss of appetite
- Suicidal thoughts
- Suicidal attempts
- Aches or pains that are persistent
- Headaches
- Cramps
- Digestive problems that don't get better with treatment
Many people who suffer from depression also use substances like marijuana or other drugs, alcohol, or tobacco in hopes of feeling better. Many people don't even get their depression diagnosed until they seek treatment for alcohol or drug addiction. Depression affects a person's whole life including their health and well-being.
Medications like antidepressants can help with the symptoms of severe depression along with different forms of behavioral therapy. When a person attempts to self-medicate the symptoms of depression they only make them worse. Alcohol and many other drugs cause depression after a while which not only makes the depressive symptoms worse but affects your physical health as well. Call Today and let us help you seek the appropriate medical attention if your experiencing any of the symptoms associated with depression disorders and get help.
If you use drugs or alcohol and also experience depression symptoms, a good qualified substance abuse treatment center is equipped to diagnose and treat the depression and addiction successfully and you can recover. Don't wait for these symptoms to get worse because they will. There is a light at the end of the dark tunnel from depression and addiction and they'll help you get there.
