Depressive Disorder

Introduction

It’s natural to feel sad now and then, but if you’re unhappy all of the time and you may find it difficult to carry out daily tasks, and you may experience as if life isn’t meaningful at times, then it’s time to seek help as, this can be an indication of depression.

A person who is depressed may lose interest and excitement for regular tasks that they always liked, and the overall psychological burden that depression may take on a person’s well-being can result in emotional, physiological, and behavioural disorders that affect practically every aspect of their life.

Depression can take various forms. Some are caused by life events, while physiological changes in your brain cause others. A person’s symptoms must have been continuous for more than two weeks to be diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Psychotherapy and medicine are commonly used in treatment. Hospitalisation may be necessary in more severe cases of depression, especially if the person is at risk of self-harm or suicide.

What is meant by Major Depressive disorder?

Depressive disorder is, known as Depression, is a psychological condition described by a continuous sense of unhappiness and a lack of interest. It impacts how you feel, think, and act and can lead to a wide range of emotional and physical issues. 

 Depressive disorder is also known as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) or Clinical Depression. A variety of factors can trigger major depressive disorder. It not only reduces your ability to appreciate things, but it also has side effects that have a significant emotional impact on the individual who has it.

Major depressive disorder can interfere with almost every aspect of your life, including your ability to sleep and wake up, eat, communicate, work, establish good relationships, and care for yourself and your loved ones. Some people suffer periodic attacks of depression separated by years, while others are down all of the time.

While there is a thin line between persistent melancholy and depression (especially when death is involved), major depressive disorder is clinically diagnosed by a psychiatrist, therapist, or other certified practitioner based on an established set of criteria.

Symptoms of depressive disorders

The most prevalent signs and symptoms of major depressive disorder are listed below:

• Sadness, anxiety, or an ‘empty’ attitude that persists
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Irritability
• Guilt, a sense of worthlessness, or a sense of helplessness
• Loss of enjoyment and interest in hobbies and activities
• Fatigue or a lack of energy
• Slower movement or speech
• Feeling restless
• Concentration, memory, or decision-making difficulties
• Sleep disturbances, early morning awakenings, or oversleeping
• Changes in appetite and weight
• Aches & pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive difficulties with no clear medical reason that do not improve with treatment

• Suicide attempts or thoughts of death or suicide

Types of depressive disorders

Major depressive disorder can be in different conditions in different people. It could be one of the following, depending on how you’re feeling as a result of your depression.

•  Anxious Distress with Depression

Anxiety is also common with this type of depression. To diagnose this clinical condition, a person must have continuous anxiety, such as restlessness and trouble participating in regular activities due to worrying about something bad.

•  Atypical Depression

This is distinct from the continuous melancholy associated with ordinary depression. It’s regarded as an ‘identifier’ that describes a set of depression symptoms. A pleasant event can momentarily enhance your mood if you have atypical depression.

It includes mood reactivity, increased appetite, increased sleep, leaden feeling in the legs or arms, and sensitivity to loss; however, it differs from person to person.

•  Catatonic Depression

For an extended period, catatonic depression causes unusual motions and an inability to function verbally and physically.

Not moving or talking, quick and unpredictable motions, changes in hunger and wakefulness, sudden weight loss or increase, feelings of great sadness and remorse, and difficulties concentrating are all symptoms.

•  Melancholic Depression

This type of major depressive disorder is characterised by a tremendous loss of pleasure in activities, as well as a sense of hopelessness, to the point where a person may even believe that their life is unworthy of living. A patient may experience prolonged melancholy, stress, loss of sleep, and variations in their body movement, as other subtypes.

•  Peripartum Depression 

Postpartum depression is the most common name for this major depressive disorder. It’s a serious depressive condition that can strike during or after pregnancy.

It’s quite prevalent, with an estimated 3% to 6% of women suffering from the disorder.

Stress, worry, melancholy, hopelessness, despair, excessive tiredness, and loneliness are all related.

•  Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

This type of major depressive disorder is now defined as a major depressive disorder with seasonal patterns. It occurs more frequently in the fall and winter months when the weather is cooler and the sunsets sooner. It manifests many of the same mood changes as the other kinds, such as depression, sleep disturbances, poor energy, hopelessness, and difficulties concentrating.

Diagnosis of Depressive disorders

Major depressive disorder is diagnosed by a certified mental health practitioner based on a history of psychiatric and mental status evaluation (MSE). A person must experience four or more of the following symptoms during two weeks to be diagnosed with major depressive disorder, with at least one being (1) a sad mood or (2) a lack of pleasure.

• Every day in a depressed mood.
• Most of the day, there is a decrease in interest or pleasure in all activities.
• Major weight gain or loss isn’t tied to dieting or increasing or decreasing appetite.
• A reduction in physical movement as well as a slowdown of thinking.
• Fatigue or loss of energy.
• Suicidal ideation, a precise suicide plan, or a suicide attempt are all signs of suicidal ideation.
• Almost every day, feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt.
• Almost every day, indecisiveness or a lessened capacity to think or concentrate.

Treatment of Depressive disorders

Health-care providers may recommend psychological treatments such as behavioural activation, cognitive behavioural therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, and antidepressant medication, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), depending on the severity and pattern of depressive episodes over time. Some procedural therapies to cure major depressive disorder are Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), Ketamine infusion therapy.

Therapists should consider the possible side effects of antidepressant medication, as well as their ability to administer either therapy (in terms of skill or treatment availability) and their patients’ choices. Individual or group face-to-face psychological therapies offered by experts and authorised practitioners are examples of several psychological treatment forms to explore.

For moderate depression, antidepressants are not the primary line of treatment. They should not be used to treat depression in children, and they should not be used as the first line of treatment in teenagers, who should be treated with special caution.

Conclusion

Depression or Depressive disorders are the most commonly occurring mental illness in both adults and children regardless of age, affecting their day to day activities and lifestyle. While fighting depression, you don’t have to feel alone. There are some practical ways to cure your depressive disorder like exercising or being physically active, not stressing yourself and being easy on yourself, mingling with family and friends, putting a hold on major life decisions like getting married, and getting knowledge on depression by joining a group or individual study. As you have read in the above article, several therapies and treatments are available to cure depression.