Signs and Symptoms of Depression - Essay Example

Depression

Depression is a mental health problem that can alter moods, behavior, thoughts, and physical health. This mental health problem is a key worldwide contributor to diseases that affect individuals of all communities. The World Health Organization (WHO) (2020), estimates that depression affects approximately 264 million people in which one in twenty individuals are reported to have depressive episodes. Moreover, Roberts et al. (441-446) affirm that depression affects children, adolescents, and adults, leading to increased premature mortality and disabilities in the globe. Another research done by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 3.2 percent of children and adolescents between three to seventeen years are usually diagnosed with depression. Again, young women are far more affected by depression than men. For example, according to Albert (2019), depression affects twice as much as in women compared to men.

The most negative effect of depressive disorders is that it can lead to suicidal thoughts, as well as the action of suicide. According to the WHO (2019), approximately 800,000 people commit suicide yearly. Another research shows that suicide is among the prominent causes of death in individuals aged fifteen years and above; hence, patients with depression should be managed to prevent more deaths (Gjertsen et al., np). Furthermore, considering that depression is a critical mental health problem that affects the normal functioning of the people, it is should be well understood, and patients should receive medical care immediately before it becomes severe. This paper will provide a detailed discussion of different types of depression, signs and symptoms, causes, treatment, and preventive measures.

Types of depression

There are different types of depressions that need to be managed according to their severity. Major depression is one type of depression characterized by very irritable moods and sadness that normally last for two consecutive weeks. This type of depression interferes with the normal function of daily activities, sleep, the reduced interest of past pleasure events, and eating habits. Dysthymia depression, also known as persistent depression—is characterized by low severity, and it is long-lasting compared to major depression. Scientifically, it is estimated that irritability and sadness caused by dysthymia can last for about two years or more (Patel, Raj & Gregory, np). In some cases, people with this type of depression can experience episodes of major depression with severe symptoms. Bipolar disorder (manic depression) is a type of depression characterized by mood cycles accompanied by at least one episode of mania and other types of depression (Grunze, 665-673). Bipolar disorders are normally chronic, recurring, and have a rapid, dramatic mood change that is gradual. As a result, the individuals affected by this type of depression have judgmental, thinking, and social-behavioral alterations.

Postpartum depression is a mental condition that is described from physical and emotional changes that pregnant women have after delivery. It is estimated that about 10 percent of women experience this type of depression yearly (Anokye et al., 18). Furthermore, women with postpartum depression experience depressive symptoms for more than six months. Therefore, women with this depression need medical care either pharmacologically or via talk therapy for their wellbeing and newborns. Finally, the seasonal affective disorder has a periodic pattern, and it recurs annually at the beginning of a fall and during the early winter. Patients with this type of depression show increased appetite, resulting in increased body weight (Nussbaumer-Streit et al., 1-10).

Signs and symptoms of depression

Depression manifests in different ways that can be chronic or recurring after some time. Persons diagnosed with depression present themselves with symptoms such as; decreased interest in daily activities, anorexia, depressed moods, insomnia or too much sleeping, agitation, restlessness, and problems in concentration and decision making. Other symptoms include; fatigue, anxiety, unintentional weight gain or loss, energy loss, self-blame and low self-esteem and thoughts of death, and committing suicide (Fekadu, Workineh & Ephrem, 255-257).

Causes of depression

According to different scientific researches, various factors trigger signs and symptoms of depression. These factors include; biological, genetic, social, and environmental factors and other chronic medical conditions. Biological factors are the leading cause of depression. Typically, depression occurs due to changes in brain neurotransmitters (dopamine, GABA, serotonin, and norepinephrine) levels (Bembnowska & Jadwiga, 116-120). When there is reuptake or decreased production of these brain neurotransmitters, the brain's normal function of control the general body's moods becomes altered, leading to common signs and symptoms of depression with increased thoughts of committing suicide. Genetically, depression can be passed from mother to child (Shadrina et al., 334). Usually, if a mother has anxiety and depression during pregnancy, the child has a high chance of inheriting this mental problem. It is also estimated that individuals whom their first relatives suffered from depression are at high risk of developing this mental health problem (Shadrina et al., 334).

The surrounding environment and social life have an essential role in the progression of depression. On most occasions, depression is typically caused by family problems, traumatic events, and experiences, external and internal stress, overwhelmed daily activities, environmental pollutants, and chronic addiction (van den Bosch, Matilda & Andreas, 285). For instance, different traumatic events such as death and illness of a relative or a close friend, family divorce and conflict, child abuse, unemployment, and low socio-economic status can cause depression (van den Bosch, Matilda, & Andreas, 285). Finally, depression can result from patients having life-threatening and chronic medical health conditions and stressors, especially when they have them for an extended period. Typically, when these patients are unable to receive enough support from their relatives or friends, they develop a feeling of low self-worth and thoughts of committing suicide, thus leading to depression. Some of the chronic diseases that can lead to depression include; cancer, an underactive thyroid, and persistent long-term pain.

Treatment of depression

Pharmacotherapy, somatic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and talk therapy are the major approaches to managing depression. Talk therapy (psychotherapy) plays a crucial role during the management of depression because it helps patients in understanding their situation and what can make them feel positive and motivated or depressed. This therapy involves counseling, sharing thoughts and feelings, and finally coming up with ways on how to overcome the situation (Cuijpers et al., 129). Cognitive behavioral therapy is a treatment approach that is exceptionally effective in mental health disorders because it improves and regulates patients' emotions. The key goal of this approach is to change depressed individuals who have negative thought patterns. As a result, the approaches solve the individual difficulties and bring in a change of their feelings.

Pharmacotherapy involves the use of medications that helps in controlling the patient's emotions. This type of therapy is effective for approximately half of the patients diagnosed with depression. However, twenty to thirty percent of the depressed patient may have Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) (Jaffe, Rive & Denee, 247). Antidepressants medicines are the most common drugs used in the pharmacological treatment of depression. The primary function of these medicines is to modulate the brain neurotransmission of neurotransmitters to increase their general synaptic concentration (Kamenov et al., 414-425). There are different classes of antidepressants that are classified according to their mode of action. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are the first-line drug of choice in the management of depression have reduced side effects compared to other classes of antidepressants (Kamenov et al., 414-425). SSRIs act by blocking serotonin reuptake in the brain (Clevenger et al., 49-58. Some examples of these inhibitors include; fluoxetine and paroxetine. Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) is a class of depression drugs that act by inhibiting the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain (Fasipe, 81). These inhibitors include; venlafaxine, duloxetine, and desvenlafaxine. Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) work by preventing the absorption of norepinephrine and serotonin neurotransmitters in the nerve cells, and inhibiting the action of acetylcholine (Fekadu, Workineh & Ephrem, 255-257). Examples of TCAs are; amitriptyline, imipramine, and doxepine.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) is a class of antidepressants that are rarely used due to their potential reactions with diets rich in tyramine. They act by blocking the action of monoamine oxidase enzymes that plays a crucial role in breaking down monoamines. As a result, the concentration of neurotransmitters in the synaptic increases leading to normal mood regulation (Laban & Abdolreza). Examples include selegiline, phenelzine, and isocarboxazid. Atypical antidepressants act by changing the levels of monoamines in the brain nerve cells to regulate the mood and relieve depression. Examples include; bupropion, trazodone, and nefazodone. Finally, there is somatic therapy, which is also a non-pharmacological approach that is used to manage resistant depression if other antidepressant medications have failed. The approach involves introducing electric currents to the deep brain structures or on the scalp (Fekadu, Workineh & Ephrem, 255-257).

Prevention

Depression is prevented in different ways before it becomes chronic. The main aim of preventive measures of depression is to reduce the intensity, period, and occurrence of depressive symptoms (Munoz et al., 285). Patients with depression should engage in physical exercises, avoid alcohol consumption or illegal drugs, maintain efficient sleeping habits, volunteer, and involve themselves in group activities that can help them in avoiding depressive habits. Besides, they should ask for guidance and counseling and share their feelings and thoughts with their trustful friends.

Conclusion

Depression is a serious health problem that has a substantial burden on the global healthcare system. Usually, depression is characterized by serious depressive symptoms such as suicidal thoughts—that, if not well managed, can result in mortality. Therefore, since depression is a growing mental health problem across the globe, it is crucial to prevent it through social and supportive activities. Other measures include seeking guidance and counseling, enough sleep patterns, and avoiding risky health behaviors such as drug addiction and alcoholism. In the case, depressive symptoms persist, depression can be managed both pharmacologically and non-pharmacologically.

Signs and symptoms of depression

Depression manifests in different ways that can be chronic or recurring after some time. Persons diagnosed with depression present themselves with symptoms such as; decreased interest in daily activities, anorexia, depressed moods, insomnia or too much sleeping, agitation, restlessness, and problems in concentration and decision making. Other symptoms include; fatigue, anxiety, unintentional weight gain or loss, energy loss, self-blame and low self-esteem and thoughts of death, and committing suicide (Fekadu, Workineh & Ephrem, 255-257).

Causes of depression

According to different scientific researches, various factors trigger signs and symptoms of depression. These factors include; biological, genetic, social, and environmental factors and other chronic medical conditions. Biological factors are the leading cause of depression. Typically, depression occurs due to changes in brain neurotransmitters (dopamine, GABA, serotonin, and norepinephrine) levels (Bembnowska & Jadwiga, 116-120). When there is reuptake or decreased production of these brain neurotransmitters, the brain's normal function of control the general body's moods becomes altered, leading to common signs and symptoms of depression with increased thoughts of committing suicide. Genetically, depression can be passed from mother to child (Shadrina et al., 334). Usually, if a mother has anxiety and depression during pregnancy, the child has a high chance of inheriting this mental problem. It is also estimated that individuals whom their first relatives suffered from depression are at high risk of developing this mental health problem (Shadrina et al., 334).

The surrounding environment and social life have an essential role in the progression of depression. On most occasions, depression is typically caused by family problems, traumatic events, and experiences, external and internal stress, overwhelmed daily activities, environmental pollutants, and chronic addiction (van den Bosch, Matilda & Andreas, 285). For instance, different traumatic events such as death and illness of a relative or a close friend, family divorce and conflict, child abuse, unemployment, and low socio-economic status can cause depression (van den Bosch, Matilda, & Andreas, 285). Finally, depression can result from patients having life-threatening and chronic medical health conditions and stressors, especially when they have them for an extended period. Typically, when these patients are unable to receive enough support from their relatives or friends, they develop a feeling of low self-worth and thoughts of committing suicide, thus leading to depression. Some of the chronic diseases that can lead to depression include; cancer, an underactive thyroid, and persistent long-term pain.

Treatment of depression

Pharmacotherapy, somatic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and talk therapy are the major approaches to managing depression. Talk therapy (psychotherapy) plays a crucial role during the management of depression because it helps patients in understanding their situation and what can make them feel positive and motivated or depressed. This therapy involves counseling, sharing thoughts and feelings, and finally coming up with ways on how to overcome the situation (Cuijpers et al., 129). Cognitive behavioral therapy is a treatment approach that is exceptionally effective in mental health disorders because it improves and regulates patients' emotions. The key goal of this approach is to change depressed individuals who have negative thought patterns. As a result, the approaches solve the individual difficulties and bring in a change of their feelings.

Pharmacotherapy involves the use of medications that helps in controlling the patient's emotions. This type of therapy is effective for approximately half of the patients diagnosed with depression. However, twenty to thirty percent of the depressed patient may have Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) (Jaffe, Rive & Denee, 247). Read More