Treatments for depression work for all types; typically, the specific type of depression does not change the treatment approach drastically. It does, however, inform as to certain patterns of response to treatments as well as...
Types of treatment for depression fall into two broad categories: psychosocial and pharmacologic . Within each category are many choices. Psychosocial treatments include individual therapies, group therapies, vocational services, and family/couples therapies. Furthermore, there are...
What is the risk for depression? Depending on where your spouse is stationed, the risk for depression may be no higher than the general population, or it may be significantly increased because of his or...
What Can I Do? Anthony’s comment: My mother would not seek help for what I believed was depression. She drank excessive alcohol. It wasn't until my friend ’s mother took my mother to an Alcoholics...
Can I prevent an episode in the future? Anthony’s comment: I believe there are things you can do, such as relaxation activities of any kind, avoiding high stress situations, and engagement in physical activities. Although...
One risk of untreated depression is the development of comorbid substance abuse, including alcohol abuse. Alcohol and drugs make people feel better temporarily, but this effect is only temporary; as the high wears off despair...
My father died 6 months ago. Since then my mother refuses to leave the house, stating that she is still in mourning. What should I do? Anthony’s comment: Everyone grieves at his or her own...
Anne’s comment: In addition to all the excellent points made by the authors in response to this question, the small daily gestures of support are so important. Being patient, not taking irritable behavior to heart,...
Being a victim of child abuse places one at significant risk for adult depression. Studies have found that most young adults who experienced abuse in childhood have had at least one psychiatric disorder diagnosed by...
I have recently been diagnosed with depression. What are the risks that my children will inherit it? Anne’s comment: My husband has suffered from depression much of his adult life and has a history of...
Women are clearly at greater risk for developing depression than men. This may be due to two factors. First, women are physiologically different, which may explain some of the variance. More importantly, women are psychologically...
Knowing the risk factors of developing any particular disease helps to understand the odds of developing that disease. It is important, however, to remember that odds, no matter how favorable or unfavorable, are still just...
Many clinicians of various educational backgrounds are qualified to diagnose and treat depression. The choice of practitioner type in part depends on need for therapy, medication, or both. Your internist or family practice doctor can...
I have been diagnosed with depression. What do I tell my family and friends? Anne’s comment: Because of the stigma surrounding depression, we have been careful with whom we share the facts of what we...
Several types of depression exist. Each is characterized by a specified symptom presentation. The most common types of depression are major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and bipolar depression. Major depressive disorder is given a qualifier...
I Became Irritable And Agitated On My Antidepressant. My Doctor Believes I Have Become “hypomanic.”what Does That Mean? Manic-depressive disorder, or bipolar disorder, can only be diagnosed if someone has a history of at least...
Mood swings are often thought to be synonymous with having manic depression. The presence of “mood swings,” however, is not enough to determine that a person is manic-depressive. Many depressed persons can have ups and...
Individuals with bipolar disorder classically have cycles of depression alternating with euphoric/irritable mood states (called mania ). Several disorders of mood in addition to the depressive disorders listed in Different Types Of Depression involve depression...
Anthony’s comment: Daily activities may be stagnated. When a medical specialist met with me for an unrelated condition and asked about my daily routine, he noted that I must be depressed based on what I...
Many medical conditions can have depression associated with them, ranging from endocrine ( hormonal ) disorders, cardiac conditions, cancers, and vitamin deficiencies. Most often, depression occurs independently of another medical disorder, but if physical signs...
Anthony’s comment: It seems it would make sense to examine your daily routines to see if indeed problems do exist. It is also important to be evaluated for a medical condition as a cause of...
Life events that are stressful can result in normal sad-ness as well as other symptoms similar to those present during a depressive episode. These symptoms may only last a few days. In the case of...
No objective tests are available for depression. Some tests used in research protocols examine levels of certain stress hormones or look at brain functioning. These are research based only, however, and have no utility in...
Several types of depression exist. Depressed (or irritable) mood or a loss of interest in pleasurable activities is characteristic of all types, and all types have to cause impairment in functioning. There are some differences...
Depression is diagnosed as part of a complete psychiatric or other mental health evaluation. The evaluation includes a review of current and past symptoms, psychiatric and medical history, family history, social history, and substance-use history....