Clinical Depression & other forms of Depression

May 2017

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

We're back to discuss more about mental health.  We were talking about Bipolar disorders and the Bipolar Spectrum  in our last Blog Session, as well as eight (8) Depression Manifestations.

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Today we are going to continue with our mental health discussion and talk about a few other areas in relation to mental health.  First, the chart that we displayed in our Blog Session from a couple of days ago ~ Bipolar Syndrome Types. . .

The Bipolar Syndrome Types listed in the above chart:

1.  Bipolar with HYPER (extreme) mania 

      There may or may not be much depression.

2.  Bipolar Type 2 with (HYPO) not extreme mania

      but usually more significant depression.

3.  Rapid Cycling with frequent cycling up & down

      more than 4 times per year, or even ultra rapid cycling

      several times within a day.

4.  Mixed States

      Both manic and depressed at the same time.

5.  Cyclothymic Disorder "bipolar light"

      Hypo-mania and mild depression.

If you believe you may be bipolar or have a bipolar disorder, please do not hesitate to get help.  Talk about how you are feeling with your friends and family members.  Don't forget to get a Journal and/or a Diary to chronicle your feelings, thoughts and emotions.  To find out if you fit into any of the five categories listed, please check with your doctor.

Some of the other topics that we are going to focus on today are the areas of Clinical Depression & other forms of Depression.  Depression comes in many forms, and the information that follows may help you to identify what type of depression you may be dealing with, or someone you know may be dealing with . . .

Clinical Depression

Clinical depression is a serious type of depression that is characterized by loss of interest and pleasure in activities and a consistently depressed state that lasts at least two weeks, according to Mayo Clinic.  Clinical depression interferes with aspects of daily living, such as work and relationships.

Clinical Depression

[Photo Credit:  Katarzyna Bialasiewicz iStock Getty Images]

Symptoms of Clinical Depression

Symptoms of clinical depression, also known as major depression, include fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, a 5 percent increase or decrease of weight in a month, suicidal thoughts and lower than usual concentration, states WebMD. Other symptoms include too much or too little sleep and restlessness. Clinical depression is commonly treated with either antidepressants, talk therapy, psychotherapy or a combination of all three.

Mild to Moderate Depression

Symptoms which are typical of mild to moderate depression include:

• Depressed mood
• Low energy
• Sleep difficulties
• Anxiety
• Changes in appetite
• Problems with concentration
• Low tolerance for stress
• Irritability

Psychologist Jerry Kennard further distinguishes the difference between mild and moderate by describing mild depression as a depression in which day-to-day functioning is a struggle, but the person is rarely affected in any significant way.

People with mild depression can get by without medication and will find that their symptoms get better in time even without treatment.

Moderate depression, has a greater chance of affecting a person in his/her daily life.  A person with moderate depression may neglect his/her personal hygiene and generally look as miserable as he/she feels.  When a person exhibits this degree of depression, it becomes more likely that treatment with an antidepressant or perhaps psychotherapy or counseling will be necessary.

Severe depression

Once depression becomes severe, Kennard notes, a person basically ceases to function beyond the most basic activities.  A person with severe depression will exhibit such symptoms as:

• More severe depressed mood
• Slowed speech or movements
• Agitation
• Extreme memory and concentration problems
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Significant weight loss or gain
• Strong feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Strong thoughts of suicide
• Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed

In some cases, severe depression might also involve psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations.

Severe depression is, in a nutshell, depression which is more disabling and dangerous to the person who is going through it and requires prompt professional assistance in order for the person to deal with it.

Herbal remedies would not be wise in such a case when time is of the essence in order to prevent the person from harming himself or herself and/or others.

Please Note:  When psychosis occurs alongside depression, it is called psychotic depression.

Who Will Develop Psychotic Depression?

It is estimated that about three percent to 11 percent of all people will experience severe depression during their lifetime. Of those who experience severe clinical depression, about 10 percent to 15 percent will develop psychotic depression. It is, however, impossible to predict the exact people who might be prone to psychotic depression, as not enough is known about the condition's causes. In addition, the definitions and measurement tools for depression are always changing, meaning that these statistics are always shifting.

From what we know now, some of the factors that may make you more prone to depression, in general, include:

• Having a parent or sibling with depression.  A propensity toward depression, especially severe depression, tends to run in families.  If you have a parent or sibling who has had depression, you are more likely to develop it yourself.

We'll talk more about psychotic depression in our next Blog Session.  We'll get into what is believed to cause psychotic depression, and what are the symptoms?

Until we meet again back here on the Blog, remember that your Journals/Diaries should be put to good use during the month of May.  You'll be glad you took the time to write out your feelings, emotions, activities, and thoughts.  Be sure to also make a note in your journal about your Research on the topic of Mental Health.  Add the Sites you visit to get further information on the areas of mental health that interest you.  Use your Journal as a Reference for the information that is important to you.

Hoping that today's Blog Session gave you something to think about for Mental Health Awareness Month . . .

Hmmm ~ Lots to think about . . .

See you next time back here on the Blog dear Friends!

Peace, Love & Light,

 René

©Copyright - René Allen - MAY 2017 - All Rights Reserved