According to the estimates of the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2015, more than 300 million people worldwide were affected by depression and anxiety disorders. Another study showed that from 1990 to 2010, the population affected by depression increased by 37.5%

With the improvement of material life, people’s hearts have not become healthier. Many desires and troubles in life, such as economic pressure, disharmony in interpersonal relationships, excessive self-demand or emotional damage, etc., have affected people’s physical and mental health.

People with depression may find that they often feel depressed or sad, but they may not realize that they may have depression. Patients often think that physical discomfort causes various symptoms, so they fail to seek help early, which leads to more serious problems.

It is suggested that the public should pay more attention to their own mental health, constantly examine themselves, and care about the mental state of others. If they find signs of depression, they should receive treatment as soon as possible. This article will introduce the types of depression, as well as the causes, symptoms and treatment methods of depression, to help you detect your own symptoms early and get rid of depression.

What is depression?

From a physiological point of view, depression is a disease that occurs in the brain, because certain chemical substances in the brain are out of balance, affecting the areas of the brain that regulate emotions, including the Amygdala, the Thalamus and the Hippocampus, and then various mental symptoms. But psychological and social factors also affect depression, and there is no way to attribute it to a single cause.

Depression is an inevitable physical adaptation for everyone when they experience setbacks. In life, everyone has encountered sad and painful things more or less, but most people’s depression is relatively mild, and some people have a milder degree of depression. Severe depression that cannot be adjusted and meets the diagnostic criteria for more than 2 weeks can be called depression. At this time, it is necessary to receive treatment so that the condition does not worsen.

8 types of depression

1. 1. Persistent depressive disorder
      Also known as Dysthymia. The patient’s depression is a chronic symptom lasting at least 2 years.
   2. Major Depressive Disorder
      Severe depressive symptoms. The patient’s depressive symptoms seriously affected life for more than 2 weeks
   3. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
      It is a very severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). It causes a range of emotional and physical symptoms every month during the week or two before your period. It is sometimes referred to as ‘severe PMS’. PMDD occurs during the luteal phase of your menstrual cycle.
   4. Postpartum depression
      Severe depressive symptoms that occur during pregnancy or after childbirth. Patients may feel extremely tired, sad, or anxious.
   5. Psychotic depression
      The patient has severe depressive symptoms combined with other mental illnesses.
   6. Adjustment Disorders
      Depressive symptoms caused by stress. Individuals may experience emotional or behavioral symptoms within three months of encountering the stressor. Once the stressor disappears, the patient usually recovers within six months.
   7. Seasonal affective disorder
      It tends to occur in winter when there is less sunshine, and it tends to recur year after year.
   8. Bipolar disorder
      It is not a type of depression, but it is included in the discussion because the symptoms are similar to those of major depression when the patient is depressed.

Causes of depression

1. 1. Genetic inheritance
      Studies have pointed out that about 30% of people who are more prone to depression are related to genetic inheritance.
   2. Monoamine hypothesis
      Insufficient function of neurotransmitters (such as serotonin and dopamine) in the brain leads to depression.
   3. Stress in life
      There are many things in life, such as quarreling with others, financial crisis, unemployment, financial pressure to have a child, loneliness or loss of a loved one, which may cause people to suffer from depression.
   4. Personality
      If a person has a pessimistic and paranoid personality, he will often think about things in a bad direction and have no feeling for good things, but he will magnify and worry about bad things. Such a person is also more likely to suffer from depression .

What are the symptoms of depression?

1. 1. Physiological symptoms:
      1. 1. Lack of energy and energy, even when not doing anything.
         2. Insomnia and poor sleep quality, even if you are tired, you can’t fall asleep, and you will be tired if you sleep for a long time.
         3. Speech and movement slow down.
         4. Decreased appetite and sudden weight loss.
         5. Lost “sex” interest.
   2. Psychological symptoms:
      1. 1. No longer having fun with favorite things.
         2. Disordered thinking, difficulty concentrating, and inability to make decisions.
         3. Feeling miserable about myself for weeks.
         4. Negative thoughts recur, feeling worthless, and even suicidal thoughts.

Four common treatments for depression

There are different types of treatment for depression. In addition to seeking help from a doctor, you can also help yourself in your daily life! Several treatments are described below.

1. 1. Medical treatment
      1. 1. Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCA)
         2. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (referred to as MAOIs)
         3. Norepinephrine and specific serotonin antidepressant (NaSSa for short)
         4. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
         5. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI)
         6. Norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI)
   2. Psychotherapy
      1. 1. Cognitive behavioral therapy
         2. Interpersonal Psychotherapy or Interpersonal Therapy
         3. Behavior Therapy
         4. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
   3. Physiotherapy
      1. 1. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): Electric current is introduced into the scalp as a treatment. Electroconvulsive therapy is now used in the field of psychiatric treatment, not mainstream for emotional diseases such as depression.

2. 2. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a safe and non-invasive new medical technology. The latest brain neuroscience research has found that the metabolic activity of the brain regions responsible for regulating emotions is significantly reduced in patients with depression. TMS treatment uses magnetic pulses generated by electromagnetic coils to stimulate the relevant areas to achieve the effect of treating depression without any side effects caused by drug treatment.
   3. Change habits
      1. 1. Schedule activities every day and do what you love.
         2. Eat a balanced diet that contains B vitamins and avoid foods that contain sugar or caffeine.
         3. Have a regular sleep time, sleep about 7-8 hours a day.
         4. Exercising more and keeping a cheerful smile can stimulate the production of serotonin and endorphins, which can help relieve uncomfortable feelings and stress. Walking a few times a week will have good results.

In addition, the patient’s family can learn more about the symptoms of depression, detect the condition early and treat it early. Recognize that depression is an illness, not a sign of vulnerability, and offer encouragement as the patient makes progress.

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Reference

Overview – Clinical depression

Depression – National Institute of Health

Depression – NICE National Institute and Care Excellence

Best Books To Help Depression – Click to Buy

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