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Understanding Depression: Types and Treatments

Depression is a common mental disorder characterized by depressed mood, loss of interest, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, and poor concentration. It can present differently depending on age, with sadness and irritability common in young children, anxiety and anger in adolescents, and dissatisfaction with life and feelings of worthlessness in older adults. There are several types of depression, including major depression, dysthymia, bipolar disorder, and postpartum depression. Treatments include antidepressant medications, psychotherapy, and electroconvulsive therapy for severe cases.

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68 views1 page

Understanding Depression: Types and Treatments

Depression is a common mental disorder characterized by depressed mood, loss of interest, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, and poor concentration. It can present differently depending on age, with sadness and irritability common in young children, anxiety and anger in adolescents, and dissatisfaction with life and feelings of worthlessness in older adults. There are several types of depression, including major depression, dysthymia, bipolar disorder, and postpartum depression. Treatments include antidepressant medications, psychotherapy, and electroconvulsive therapy for severe cases.

Uploaded by

adlin
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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In younger children :

i) Major depression
 Sadness
 A combination of
 Irritability
symptoms that last for at
 Hopelessness
least two weeks in a row.
 Worry
ii) Dysthymia

Depression is a common  Dysthymia is a less severe
In adolescents and teens : mental disorder that but usually more long
 Anxiety presents with depressed
lasting type of depression
 Anger compared to major
mood, loss of interest or depression.
 Avoidance of social
pleasure, feelings of guilt or iii) Bipolar disorder (manic
interaction
low self-worth, disturbed depression)
sleep or appetite, low  A group of mood disorders
In older adults : energy, and poor that were formerly called
 They may feel dissatisfied concentration. manic-depressive illness
with life in general. or manic depression.
 Helpless or worthless. iv) Postpartum
 Suicidal thinking or feelings. depression(PPD)

Definition of
Symptoms of depression Types of
depression depression

Treatments for depression


Causes of Depression
Medications Psychotherapies

i) Alcohol or drug abuse i) Selective serotonin reuptake i) Interpersonal therapists


inhibitors (SSRIs) are focus on the patient's disturbed
ii) Certain medical medications that increase the personal relationships that
conditions, including amount of the neurochemical both cause and exacerbate the
underactive thyroid, cancer, or serotonin in the brain. depression.
long-term pain. ii) Tricyclic antidepressants ii) Cognitive/behavioral
(TCAs) work mainly by therapists help patients
iii) Certain medications such increasing the level of change the negative styles of
as steroids. norepinephrine in the brain thinking and behaving that are
synapses, although they also often associated with
iv) Sleeping problems
may affect serotonin levels. depression.
v) Stressful life events, such iii) Monoamine oxidase iii) Psychodynamic therapies
as: inhibitors (MAOIs) elevate the focus on resolving the patient's
levels of neurochemicals in the internal psychological conflicts
 Breaking up with a
brain synapses by inhibiting that are typically thought to be
boyfriend or girlfriend
monoamine oxidase. rooted in childhood.
 Failing a class
 Death or illness of someone Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
close to you
 Divorce i) In the ECT procedure, an electric current is passed through the
 Childhood abuse or neglect brain to produce controlled convulsions (seizures).
 Job loss ii) ECT is useful for those who cannot take or have not responded to
 Social isolation (common in a number of antidepressants, have severe depression, and/or are at
the elderly) a high risk for suicide.
iii) Often highly effective, ECT relieves depression within one to two
weeks after beginning treatments in many people.
iv) ECT is not painful.

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