Symptoms of Depression The diagnosis of depression

Almost everyone knows the symptoms of depression from time to time. While the depressed mood, sad or melancholy is often referred to as depression, not always put a serious health threat.
However, depression can become a serious health problem if it lasts a long time.
Signs and symptoms of depression is quite common and distressing symptoms persisted only for a very long expressed disorders that require psychiatric and medical treatment.



Symptoms of depression
People with depression may show more of the following signs and symptoms of depression.
A sad mood
Despair
Concern
Irritability
Loss of interest in daily activities and work
Loss of interest in social activities
Low self-esteem
Fatigue
Languor
Irregular sleep patterns
Abnormal change in appetite
Difficulty concentrating
Become socially isolated
Feelings of worthlessness and self-hatred
Fault
Suicidal thoughts
Although symptoms of depression may be the same, its duration and severity
The diagnosis of depression
The diagnosis is an important step in terms of depression, because there is a tendency to self-diagnosis in people who consider themselves as suffering from depression. Psychiatrists and doctors diagnose depression based on a series of parameters such as symptoms and family and personal history. Tests such as the mental status examination is used for diagnosis as well.
Depression can be severe in the following two conditions.
Clinical depression or major depressive disorder: This condition includes symptoms lasting several days or weeks.
Dysthymia or neurotic depression: This condition involves symptoms of depression that last a very long time. It differs from depression due to mild symptoms and a period of time of occurrence.
Treatment of depression
There may be a full or complete treatment of depression, according to the particular case. However, there are a number of methods of treatment
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is one of the main methods of treatment for major depressive disorder. Treatment methods are most important to the object is cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal psychology. Cognitive behavioral therapy is also used for the treatment of dysthymia, which happens to be an effective method.
The treatment response in major depressive disorder is higher in the elderly. For patients younger than 18 years, therapy should be essential for the drug.
For dysthymia, the most effective approach is to combine cognitive-behavioral therapy with drugs such as antidepressants.
Drugs

The primary treatment of the severe cases of Clinical Depression or the Major Depressive Disorder in order to alleviate its symptoms is antidepressants. However, mild cases may see little or no improvement.

In case of Dysthymia or Neurotic Depression, the first line of treatment is administering SSRI or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor. Not only these drugs have a better response rate but have less severe and reversible side effects as compared to tricyclic antidepressants or monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

Electroconvulsive Therapy

In the cases of severe Major Depressive Disorder, Electroconvulsive Therapy may be used which involves the stimulation of the brain through an electric pulse. The procedure is carried out while the patient is under the influence of general anesthesia in order to cause a seizure. This treatment method is prescribed when the patient does not show encouraging response to all other milder forms of treatment. Side effects of the treatment include short term or long term memory loss, headache and disorientation. The treatment is particularly recommended for patients with the symptoms of psychosis.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

This process involves the stimulation of nerve cells in the skull through electrical pulse. The electric pulse is meant to stimulate the particular nerves that are associated with the mood of a persons. The process can be useful n preventing depression significantly.

Light Therapy

Some people with the cases of seasonal depression, usually occurring in winters, may respond positively to light therapy.

While Depression is a troubling condition, it can effectively be managed. Make sure you consult your physician or psychiatrist if you feel that the symptoms of depression are persisting for a long time.