Types, Symptoms And Causes Of Clinical Depression
This article is about the various types, symptoms and
causes of clinical depression. Depressed mood is a normal consequence of
any disturbing event in life ranging in effect from losing a chess game
to the death of a loved one. Such depression heals naturally without any
treatment in some time, say from a few days to a few months. If the
depression persists for as long as six month, or more, it is called
clinic depression and needs professional treatment.
Types of Clinical Depression
There are three main types of clinical depression: unipolar, bipolar,
and dysthymia. Unipolar depressive disorder is also called major
depression. The patient suffers episodes of severe depression with no
signs of a light mood for months. Bipolar depressive disorder is also
called manic-depressive disorder. In these cases, patients experience
severe depression alternating with episodes of mania (intensely happy
mood). Dysthymia is the mild form of depression characterized by long
periods of sadness and pessimism.
Symptoms of Clinical Depression
Whether of any type, depression has some common symptoms experienced by
all patients. These include persistent feelings of sadness,
worthlessness, and hopelessness; high degree of irritability and
overreaction to irritable situations; lack of motivation toward life
activities; failure in concentrating and poor memory; feeling of fatigue
and restlessness; low self-esteem and guilt feelings; sleep
disturbances; slow movements, thinking, and/or speech; asocial and
antisocial behavior; suicidal thoughts or behavior; and reporting
physical pain/ache without any signs of a physical cause.
Prevalence of Depression
Clinical depression prevails among an estimated 12 per cent of
population. It is reported in all ages, races, and both genders.
However, bipolar disorder is more common among women than among men.
Causes of Clinical Depression
There is no single cause or single type of causes responsible for
depression. Each case of depression appears to be the result of a unique
combination of physiological and environmental factors.
A major known physiological cause of depression is the insufficient
quantity or inactivity of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Another
neurotransmitter, norepinephrine, also plays an important part in
relieving depression. Evidence reveals that depression can be inherited.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging studies show the difference in the brain
function of depressed people as opposed to normal people. The subgenual
prefrontal cortex of brain has been found smaller in pateints having a
family history of depression. Addiction to drugs and alcohol is also
held responsible for depression. And all these causes are significantly
influenced by social/environmental factors like painful childhood
experiences, traumas, and one's belief system etc.
It should be noted that depression is sometimes an indicator of another
disease like heart disease, cancer, or disruption of thyroid function.
To properly diagnose the condition, one must consult a physician for
relevant tests.
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