Definition


Depression is a common disease, often lifelong and characterized by episodic course of symptoms. The disease is generally seen as a state of depression, loss of pleasure and interest, and reduced energy and increased fatigue for more than 2 weeks.

Most people find that their mood is not so good at times and that they feel depressed or sad. In most cases, this is quite normal and something that usually passes by itself within a few days to a week. Can you recognize these symptoms in themselves or a family member in a short period, there is no reason for concern.

If the depressed mood, however, the one character that affect one's daily life in terms of labor, social affairs, etc., and articles by and becomes increasingly worse, you should be aware. If so, or are unsure, you should consult a doctor who can determine the existence of a real depression. It is important to stress that depression is a serious disease that can be fatal, since even

Depression is a common disease, and it is estimated that around 200,000 people suffering from the disease at any given time (prevalence) in Denmark. The disease affects women twice as often as men, and the typical onset time is between 40 and 50 years of age, with great individual variation (depression can occur anytime in life).

For the vast majority of people with a recognized depression disease will come back for periods of varying length. Without treatment, it is felt that the duration of a depression is around 6-12 months. The older one is, the longer the episode can be and the more likely a new episode.

Some depression can be the disease onset of the second disease and develop into bipolar affective illness (previously called maniodepressivitet). The latter is particularly in families with other cases of bipolar illness, as this has a large hereditary significance.

 

Causes of Depression


The causes of depression is thought to depend both on the biological and psychosocial factors. Hereditary nature of depression is controversial, but there is believed to be some hereditary component. This can be seen from studies of identical twins (who are genetically identical), which has approx. 35 to 60 percent risk of having a depression, if the other twin has the disease.

 

Among the biological factors mentioned disturbance in the brain signalstoffer (serotonin and noradrenaline) and translating them into the body. There is also shown changes in the body stresshormoner (cortisol), which is subject to complex regulation in the body.

Last believed also to lack of light can affect depression. This relates to the so-calledvinterdepression. Overall, there is a clear biological explanation for why the disease.

However, it is a known fact that biological diseases such as blood clot in the brain, Parkinson's disease, dementia and multiple sclerosis can cause a depression. These diseases would give depression diagnosis on the basis of biological (organic) disease.

Alcohol addiction can also lead to depression, which in some cases can be difficult.

Psychosocial factors are thought to play a major role. Who gets the depression in this context is not entirely clear, but especially given the importance of how grown up and has learned to handle different, especially in stressful situations. We often talk about the so-called vulnerability-stress model, where it is believed that the vulnerability can be inherited and therefore have great importance for how well you can cope with a given situation. Larger

 

Symptoms of depression


The symptoms of a depression can vary and are not only related to a sense of despondency and hopelessness.

Many people will also feelphysicalsymptomsas:

 

  • Sleep disturbance, often with difficulty in falling asleep and early morning awakening.

     
  • Fatigue and lack of energy.

     
  • Muscle Pain.

     
  • Constipation.

     
  • Decreased appetite.

     
  • Reduced sexlyst.
     

There may be such a huge impact, not to be manageable to do anything and therefore are just going. By attempting to perform actions he moves very sluggish and slow. The person will be initiativløs, degree of concentration difficulties, guilt and inferiority feelings, and some can not really feel what they feel. Symptoms are often worst on mo

Frequently there thoughts of death or suicide, and in severe cases can causepsychoticsymptomsas hallucinations and delusions. These are mainly of a type where you feel you should be punished because of a minor offense that may be years back. For more detailed description of psychotic symptoms, see the article on schizophrenia.

For more precise and symptoms of depression, see below on the steps and diagnosis.

 

Precautions and diagnosis


Lider Monday of the above symptoms, or know one who does, and the symptoms are not merely transient, one should go to the doctor to be examined for possible depression. A real depression is a disease requiring treatment, which should be taken seriously. This is true also that suicide threats should always be taken seriously.

You should not attempt to make the diagnosis of depression, as this requires much experience. The doctor may by some questionnaires and interview determine whether there is a depression. The symptoms, which is used to make the diagnosis based on the WHO criteria, as follows:
 
Duration of at least 2 weeks with at least two of the following core symptoms:

 

  • Despondency.

     
  • Decreased taste or interests.

     
  • Decreased energy or increased fatigue.
     

In addition, at least 2 of the following accompanying symptoms:

  • Reduced self-confidence or self-esteem.

     
  • Even Bebrejdelser or guilt.

     
  • Thoughts about death or suicide.

     
  • Thinking or concentration.

     
  • Internal unrest (hand-wringing movements, for example.) Or feel constrained.

     
  • Sleep disturbance.

     
  • Appetite disturbance and weight change.
     

From the number of the above symptoms, the doctor can determine whether there is a mild, moderate or severe depression.

 

Treatment of Depression


Depression disease treated according to the severity of the disease. There is a big difference between a mild depression and severe depression with suicidal thoughts and any psychotic symptoms.

Some mild depression can be treated solely by psychotherapy and conversation. This is a harder case Monday combining psychotherapy with antidepressant medication. You could say that the symptoms of the medicine restrained, so as to better reach the individual in conversation.

 

In some cases where treatment with conversations and medicine does not work, you can also use electric shock (ECT) as part of treatment. ECT is carried out in full anesthesia, has good power and is used mainly by severe depression.

It is important that the medical examination conducted over a longer period (½ to 1 year), even if the person is experiencing improvement over example. 3 weeks. We should in this period (½ to 1 year) to a couple of conversations, which is followed by a doctor. This is being done to ensure that we do not fail to take medicine, and to m





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