Major depression is easily treatable

Major depression is easily treatable

What is major or clinical depression?

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a disorder characterized by signs and symptoms that interfere with the ability to work, sleep, eat, and enjoy once-pleasant activities. Depression is common and often goes undiagnosed because the onset of the first episode of major depression may not be obvious if it is insidious or mild.

According to DSM-IV - a manual for diagnosing mental illness, and this is a change from his/her previous level of functioning. One of the symptoms must be either (a) depressed mood or (b) loss of interest.

a. Depressed mood. In children and young people this can be an irritable mood.

b. A significantly reduced level of interest or enjoyment in most or all activities.

c. Significant weight loss or gain (e.g., 5% or more weight change in a month without dieting). This can also be an increase or decrease in appetite. In children, they may not gain the expected amount of weight.

d. Difficulty falling or staying asleep (insomnia) or sleeping more than usual (hypersomnia).

e. Behavior that is excited or slowed down. Others should be able to observe this.

f. Tiredness or reduced energy.

G. Thoughts of worthlessness or extreme feelings of guilt (not about being sick).

h. The ability to think, concentrate or make decisions is limited.

I. Frequent thoughts of death or suicide (with or without a specific plan) or attempted suicide.

Severe depression includes:

Your symptoms are not due to a mixed episode - simultaneous mania and depression, which can occur in bipolar disorder

Symptoms must be severe enough to cause noticeable problems with everyday activities such as work, school, social activities, or relationships with others

The symptoms are not due to the direct effects of something else, such as: B. Substance abuse, taking medications or medical conditions such as hypothyroidism

The symptoms are not caused by grief, such as: B. temporary sadness after the loss of a loved one

Treatment

Although major depressive disorder is a serious mental disorder that severely affects a person's quality of life. It is easily treatable. Many types of treatment are available. Medication and psychotherapy are very effective for most people. Some studies have shown that drug therapy with antidepressants combined with psychotherapy produces better results than either therapy alone.

Medication

Medications include:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

Norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs)

Atypical antidepressants

Tricyclic antidepressants

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors

psychotherapy

There are several types of psychotherapy that have been shown to be effective for depression, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT).

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps identify negative beliefs and behaviors and replace them with healthy, positive ones.

Interpersonal therapy (IPT) focuses on the interpersonal context and on building interpersonal skills.

Alternative practitioner psychotherapy

The best place to find alternative practitioners psychotherapy is in our free alternative practitioner directory. To view all alternative psychotherapy practitioners, please click here.