Depression

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Depression

• Forms of Depression

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Depression is hard to diagnose

• Depressive disorder (major depressive episode)
• Exogenous
• Endogenous
• Bi polar disorder, depressive phase
• Cyclothymic disorder
• Dysthemic disorder

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• Some one experiencing a major depressive episode
  may exhibit psychomotor retardation (low energy
  level, slowed speech and body movements) OR
  psychomotor agitation ( inability to sit still
  and become easily agitated).
• They can be misdiagnosed as bipolar

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• But, the person with depression and psychomotor
  agitation, still displays a sad mood, while the
  person in the manic phase of bipolar disorder
  appears to be happy.

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• Normal depression also poses a problem the major
  difference between it and major depressive
  episode is the durationsome experiencing major
  depressive episode also display suicidal
  thoughts, and occasionally psychotic symptoms
  such as delusions or, more rarely,
  hallucinations.

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• The difference between exogenous and endogenous
  depression is only important in distinguishing
  treatments
• Exogenous depression or reactive depression is
  more likely to respond to psychotherapy.
• Endogenous depression is more likely to respond
  to drug therapy.

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• Dysthymic disorder (chronic depression that is
  not severe enough to qualify for a diagnosis of
  major depressive episode).
• Cyclothemic disorder ( relatively mild symptoms
  of bipolar).

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• Since people seek help only when they are
  disturbed, people who are experiencing symptoms
  (especially mild ones) of bipolar disorder
  generally only seek help when in the depressive
  phase. Misdiagnosis of major depressive episode
  is very common. Unfortunately, the medications
  given are very different.

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Prevalence

• Depressive disorder is quite common 5 10 of
  the population
• Bipolar disorder is much more rare only about
  1 of the population.
• Both can be found in all age groups, but the
  common onset of depression is 27 (though sinking)
  and of bipolar is 20.

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Etiology

• Hereditary predisposition
• Environmental factors seem to determine whether
  the hereditary predisposition becomes the full
  fledged disorder.
• Research shows that hereditary predisposition is
  a greater factor in women than in men.

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• Neurochemistry heredity seems to create
  neurotransmitter abnormalities in the brain
• Norepinephrine and serotonin are the most
  important, though other neurotransmitters also
  contribute.

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• Cognitive factors negative thinking can
  contribute to depression. Depression can
  contribute to negative thinking..Hence, a
  vicious cycle.
• Of course, STRESS is another contributing factor.
  Not everyone who is stressed becomes depressed,
  again the genetic predisposition seems to come
  into play.

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• So, depression is more complicated than most
  people think. Like OCD, Depression is a term the
  general population throws around overly-freely.

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