Depression Symptoms - Clinical Depression Symptoms

Depression Symptoms - The symptoms of depression are complex and feeling sad is not enough to diagnose it, since this symptom is present in the majority of psychological problems. The mood is therefore not the sole criterion, but that clinical depression should be understood as a syndrome, i.e., a set of related symptoms that vary depending on the case.

It is difficult to distinguish between the pathological and low mood States expected or adaptive, professionals disagree regarding the limits and conventions that seek to make this difference between the normal and the pathological. While some authors is the intensity of symptoms which makes the distinction between the low state of mind, for others it has to do with the quality of them, you would be subtypes that they bear relation or in evolution and no response.

Depression Symptoms

Depression Symptoms

For the diagnosis of clinical depression or major depressive disorder, professionals must be guided mainly by two manuals: ICD 10, international classification published by the World Health Organization, or the DSM-IV, the American Psychiatric Association diagnostic manual. According to these guidelines, the depression is characterized by any of the following symptoms:

• Been depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day according to the subject (e.g., feels sad or empty) or observation made by others (e.g., crying).
• Important reduction of the interest or the ability to (enjoy life) pleasure in all or almost all activities significant weight loss (without having done regime) or significant weight gain (e.g., a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month), or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day.
• Insomnia or Hypersomnia (daytime sleepiness).
• Psychomotor agitation or slowing.
• Fatigue or loss of energy.
• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (not just the autorreproches or guilt by the fact of being ill).
• Reduced self-esteem and confidence itself.
• Decreased ability to think, make decisions or concentrate.
• "Black", promising or pessimistic vision of the future.
• Recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of death), recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide.
• These symptoms persist for at least two weeks and produce a very significant discomfort that alters the life of family, social, occupational and other major areas of activity of the person. When these major depressive episodes are repeated (recurrent major depression) tends to have at least one interval free of symptoms, for two months, between one and the other.

Other Clinical Depression Symptoms

In the melancholy form of major depression (a variant of this) they also include typical symptoms:

• Lack of reactivity to usually pleasurable stimuli (does not feel better, or even temporarily, when something good happens).
• A quality distinct from depressive mood (e. g. depression is experienced differently to the type of feeling that accompanies the death of a loved one).
• Depression is usually higher in the morning, improving mood in the evening.
• Wake up early (e.g. 2 hours earlier than usual) that usually accompanied by anguish.

Sometimes depression is "masked" by some suffering physical, emotional or processes related to anxiety. Chronic stress can also lead to depression. We must add that seeking help and express oneself correctly hard depressed patients, in addition, it has been shown that 25% of primary-care physicians are not competent to make the diagnosis, either by its difficulty, the degree of uncertainty, gravity, stigmatization or the associated cost.

As a result this disease tends to be underdiagnosed, therefore it is very important that professionals aware of the symptoms and associated theories who made the diagnosis, knowing where they are how and when you should look for. Evaluating the so-called triad of depression: somatic, emotional, and psychological level.

Suspected depression there are to go to the right specialist, psychologists or psychiatrists, who have the training, experience and tools allowing to confirm this diagnosis.

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Dealing With Depression - How To Deal With Depression

Dealing With Depression - Depression affects more than 6% of the adult population in the United States. The National Alliance of mental illness warns that being single or widowed raises the risk for this disorder.

Dealing With Depression

Dealing With Depression

Fortunately, the national institutes of Health said that depression is very treatable, with up to 80 percent of patients find some relief in four to six weeks after receiving the medication or advice. This means single depressed can break the cycle.

Definition

Around the world, single and married, has an occasional bout with the blues, but the National Institute of Mental Health warns feelings of sadness can be turned into a mental disorder. Depression is characterized by a negative mental state that persists for more than a few days. Over time is sufficiently severe as to affect the operation and normal activities.

Considerations

Anyone can suffer from depression. Their causes include environmental chemical in the brain or hormonal imbalances, genetics and. However, single men have a higher risk for this World Health Organization issue. The emotional says that unmarried and divorced people have a total of two to four times higher rate of depression, with the men facing one higher risk than women.

Effects

NIMH explains depression has physical and mental symptoms. Physically, depression can trigger eating in excess or loss of appetite, headaches and muscle tension. It can cause insomnia or excessive sleep and drain energy. Mentally you can make a person feel sad, vain, irritable and frustrated. It can interfere with concentration and memory and deprive the appeal of the activities that previously were pleasant. These effects are particularly problematic for single people, since they can prevent the formation of intimate relationships. A person who does not feel well and has little interest in outside activities will not have many opportunities to meet others. It can inadvertently push away with their negative mental state.

Treatment

Depression is very treatable with psychotherapy, medication, or a combined approach. There are several different types of antidepressant medications. Patients who do not respond to a type often found relief with another or with a combination of two or more drugs. Psychotherapy is done by a counselor, and therapy cognitive-behaviour is the technique most common depression-fighting. Focuses on the isolation of negative thoughts and replace them with healthy and ineffective behavior in positive actions change. This can be particularly useful for the singles, since it helps them identify healthy thoughts and actions related to their marital status.

Prevention

Singles can prevent depression by concentrating on other areas of life and the development of multiple sources of fulfillment. This could include a strong system of support to charitable activities, friends and family, hobbies, recreation and. An active life keeps depression at Bay and offers more opportunities to get to know someone for a relationship. Careful budgeting makes it easier to live with a single entry. This prevents the financially-related depression.

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Depression Test - Depression Test Online

Depression Test

Depression Test Online

Select the answer that best describes how you have felt in the last 7 days.

1. I could laugh and see the funny side of things:
0 = the same way that I could always
1 = not much now
2 = definitely not much now
3 = not even a little

2. I've waited with joy what was to come:
0 = with the same joy that I always did
1 = with less joy than it used to be
2 = definitely with less joy than it used to be
3 = almost without joy

3. I blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong:
3 = Yes, most of the time
2 = Yes, some part of the time
1 = not so often
0 = no, never

4. I have felt anxious or worried without good reason:
0 = not at all
1 = rarely
2 = Yes, sometimes
3 = Yes, very often

5. I felt fear or panic without a very good reason:
3 = Yes, very much
2 = Yes, sometimes
1 = no, not much
0 = not at all

6. certain things have affected me:
3 = Yes, most of the time not have been able to deal with them at all
2 = Yes, sometimes I did them front as he usually did it
1 = no, most of the time I drove these things quite well
0 = no, I have not stopped that stuff affect me, as always did it

7. I have been so unhappy that I have had difficulty sleeping:
3 = Yes, most of the time
2 = Yes, sometimes
1 = not so often
0 = not at all

8. I have felt sad or despondent:
3 = Yes, most of the time
2 = Yes, very often
1 = not so often
0 = not at all

9. I have been so unhappy that I have cried:
3 = Yes, most of the time
2 = Yes, very often
1 = not so often
0 = no, never

10. the thought of harming myself crossed my mind:
3 = Yes, very often
2 = sometimes
1 = rarely
0 = never

Now add up your total score.
If your total score was less than 5:
It is not likely that you will experience an episode of depression next year.
If your total score was between 5 and 12:
It has increased the risk of suffering an episode of depression in the next 6 to 12 months.
If your total score was superior to 12:
It is very likely to be depressed. Call your doctor or, if you have an emergency, seek medical attention immediately.

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Do I Have Depression - How Do I Know If I Have Depression

Do I Have Depression - How Do I Know If I Have Depression - Currently more than one million people suffer from depression in many countries, so it is not strange to think that there are many people suffering from this disease and still don't know and never realize it.

Do I Have Depression

Do I Have Depression

Rhythms of modern life, individualism and disconnection with nature, stress, emotional problems, the above requirement in terms of work, dissatisfaction in different areas of life, are some of the causes that can be attributed to this disease.

People with depression manifest over a period of two consecutive weeks as a minimum the following symptoms:

• Changes in appetite, i.e. declining interest by meal, or on the contrary, desire to eat more, usually sweets or treats.
• Excess or lack of sleep that may manifest itself in different forms; whether because of difficulty to reconcile it, by frequent interruptions during the night or awaken very early in the morning without being able to sleep, sleeping much of the day.
• Decreased libido or sexual interest.
• Feeling tired, especially in the morning.
• Listlessness, lack of motivation against activities before were enjoyable for the person.

There are multiple psychological treatments for depression, the way in which each professional addresses this problem will depend on its theoretical orientation and therapeutic style.

The approach against people with depression is global and interdisciplinary since it encompasses not only the symptoms of the disease, but it also considers the eating habits, interpersonal relationships, recurring thoughts, associated emotions, time in the life cycle in which is located the person, spirituality, physical illnesses, etc.

I think depression is closely related to the loss of individual power, where the person resigns to take responsibility for their own lives and delivers the ability to provide satisfaction and happiness to others or external circumstances, being at the mercy of the feeling of a deep feeling of lack of control of his own life.

From this perspective the treatment that i propose has two main objectives:

• first is to understand what you mean disease the person in particular, i.e. understand "why I have depression", increasing self-knowledge of the person, 
• second goal is to learn new habits and strategies that help the patient to control what caused this disease to achieve greater autonomy and prevent relapses recovery in the future.

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Depression Treatment - Treatment For Depression

Depression Treatment - Depression can also affect children. There are symptoms that indicate that the child may be depressed as the sudden mood swings, temper tantrums by any cause or high levels of anxiety. Parents are the most appropriate to detect if the child may be experiencing a process of depression, but will finally be the psychologist who can help you solve your problem.

Psychologist Silvia Alava, tells us what the treatment for childhood depression, how it works the psychologist to deal with the problem and what type of techniques used.

Depression Treatment

Depression Treatment

1. what the psychologist does to treat childhood depression?

What do psychologists to treat childhood depression is always fundamental collaboration with parents. The first thing we ask parents is to observe and to register that it is what the child does what leaves do, the things that attract us attention.

In the second time we sit with those potatoes we are commenting on those records that have made one by one and we are watching and we are seeing that this is what could happen to that child to establish very good what is the cause of the behavior which is what as it retains and what is much more important. Tell parents exactly what they have to do in these situations. In the end it's establish a baseline.

But it is also important to also work with the children. And you have to work with the children there are techniques, sometimes of self-control, sometimes that work the sadness. We must also work with those thoughts that can be more negative. And what will always be fundamental to working with children is that parents know the exact techniques that we have worked so that they can remember them.

Children copy their reference adults and mainly their reference adults are the parents. Often what we find is that the child does not have a problem. The problem do parents and that child is copying the behavior that is doing or the father or the mother. Then there is sometimes that after bringing the child here we realize saying "your child what you are doing is that you are copying your behavior." The one that has the problem is you. "Are you that you have to get treatment, you who has to work because children are very sensitive to the mood of the parents and when they see that one of the parents are not well accuse him much." Then what do the children? They begin to misbehave so that parents are put in place of responsible parents. If it solves the problem of parents children back on track and return everything to normal.

2. what kind of techniques are used for the treatment of childhood depression?

The treatment of both child and adult therapy depression is cognitive-behavioural, it has been demonstrated that is the most effective treatment. It is even more effective than only drug treatment. What do we do in this type of therapy? As we dismantle the ideas and behaviors that are keeping that depression and we teach the child, we teach you to "parents" provide tools to deal with those ideas that may be them that generate greater anguish, or situations that may concern them more.

3 when using more medication in the treatment of childhood depression?

The use of medication in the treatment of childhood depression is something that is not usual. It's true that in some cases it is necessary, use in very specific cases, more serious cases, the cases that are referred to mental health, and in many cases tend to be another series of depression that cause, and that's why may we need medication. But now say that they are very few cases.

4. What are the most common causes by which children come to the psychologist?

Within the most common causes for which parents often go to consultation within the adolescent area we are are behavior problems. Relatively, this present it last year in a Congress, did a study on which were causes or the main demand here.  Attended the center of Psychology Alava - Kings and we found ourselves in the highest percentage of cases were children behavior problem and they occupied a very high percentage. Even had a very high percentage of cases in which the main demand were not difficulties of conduct but even if had to work these difficulties of conduct with children. This is the first cause, the second cause is the difficulties of learning, children with learning disabilities, children who are not good at school. And the third leading cause of anxiety problems. But the first cause in the study that we've got are these difficulties of conduct of children.

5 when the depression is generated a hormonal problem?

It is important when we see that a child have problems with depression, see a doctor, go to the pediatrician. Why? Because the first thing always is ruled out a physiological cause of depression. If there is a physiological cause, if there is a hormonal problem then that child if that may need a pharmacological medication then in psychology always say it is important to rule out some somatic that first be ruled out the cause physiological. Then the doctor will tell us there is nothing physiologically so that now we can get to work.

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How To Beat Depression Naturally - Ways To Beating Depression

How To Beat Depression - Maintaining an active lifestyle is a great way to reduce stress and the risk of falling into a depression. Talk to your doctor about the kinds of physical activity that are
appropriate for you.

How To Beat Depression

How To Beat Depression

Exercise can help you feel good and more vigorously during and after treatment. It can also reduce pain and nausea that come with cancer treatments to learn techniques that help you relax. Many of the techniques of relaxation can be learned through the use of videos, DVDs, CDs and books, although the emotional preparation by a professional is the most effective alternative.

If the depression persists for more than one couple of weeks, consult your doctor. Clinical depression is what doctors call the depression that presents a series of symptoms, which include:

• Lack of interest in s*x or other things that were usually rewarding.
• Not be able to feel pleasure at all.
• Not being able to sleep.
• Changes in eating habits (do not consider those who are due to chemotherapy or treatment against cancer).
• Fatigue or tiredness (disregard the tiredness caused by treatment).
• Difficulties concentrating.
• Feelings of contempt or despair.
• Depression can be treated with medications and sometimes with other methods that can improve your sleep, appetite, energy and ability to feel pleasure. In turn, this can help your self-esteem and sexual desire. Check with your doctor if you think you may be in a State of depression.

Please note that some of the newer antidepressants, such as selective inhibitors of the reuptake of serotonin (SSRIS, or SSRI) for its acronym in English, they make it hard to achieve org*sm. If this does become a problem, check with your doctor. There may be other antidepressants right for you that do not affect you this way.

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How To Overcome Depression - How To Overcome Depression Naturally

How To Overcome Depression Naturally - The purpose of this page is to help you to overcome depression, so you'll have a simple explanation of the current psychological methods that have proven most effective for that purpose. Procedures are explained clearly and it does not imply any contraindication its realization, but you will have to spend several weeks on the implementation of these procedures to begin to perceive the changes.

How To Overcome Depression

How To Overcome Depression

Methods and procedures are the most used and tested treatments psychologists for overcoming depression. That yes, if your depressive state generate severe symptoms (e.g. inability to work, insomnia, loss of appetite, continuous fatigue or ideas of suicide) must go to the consultation by a professional, psychologist or psychiatrist, so that you can receive proper treatment, and if necessary perform the procedures described here under his supervision.

Although these procedures are intended to overcome depression, may also benefit from these methods all those wanting to still not suffering from depressive symptoms improve in areas of personality such as assertiveness, self-esteem or emotional intelligence, as well as learn to relax or let the mind in silence with the practice of meditation.

You can now read the answer to the most common questions briefly:

I am really depressed?

If history is unknown you're depressed or to what degree are you can make the depression test or read the symptoms that make up a depression. You can also do personality test to know your fundamental personality traits.

Keys or what methods are used?

The majority of the methods described here are of type cognitive-behavioural, of proven efficacy in the treatment of depression, along with other practices such as techniques of relaxation or meditation which have proved its usefulness over the centuries to favour the psycho-physical balance.

What are those methods or keys?

Ranging from simple behavioral activation, schedule pleasant activities, up to a full program of development of self-esteem, through a program of development of emotional intelligence and assertiveness. Negative thoughts change techniques are fundamental to learn how to promote rational and positive thinking habits. Define the vital objectives clarify you what are your goals even if you suponías that you know them, it is possible that you don't have a clear consciousness of them. It is also very important that you prepare to deal with the pending issues that you've avoided for a time, and finally learn to troubleshoot if you usually show undecided. All these methods are supplemented with breathing, relaxation, visualization and meditation practices. However, you don't have to make all these methods but the most suitable to the type of problem or circumstances that you have led to depression (read how to develop your own programme of overcoming depression).

How long is there to make these practices?

There is a time limit, many of these practices could be indefinitely given its beneficial nature, now to achieve clear results not only involving an improvement in your state of mind, but a growth of your personality, you will have to propose you a practice more than 3 months. However, in each method or program you have appropriate explanations regarding the practice time.

And with the medication that I do?

If you are taking any type of antidepressant medication you should consult the specialist before reducing it, or delete it.

Learn how to put an end to this suffering, so we propose a series of measures that have proven very effective in other people who have been in the same situation as you, to suffer a depression. Of these 10 keys that we suggest you choose which consider most suitable for you according to the instructions that we give you below, but keep in mind that the key 1 and 2, are mandatory, since activating you physically and learning to think in a rational manner, objective and positive, are fundamental to your emotional recovery.

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How To Cope With Depression - Coping Skills For Depression

How To Cope With Depression - To cross the finishing line and meet a goal that took months to reach, that is often can begin to feel what is known as the depression days. It is common to hear runners and athletes say, days after a race, who feel that they have lost the motivation to go out and run or workout. This usually appears regardless if it was right or wrong in the race, if we achieve or do not meet our expectations in the race.

This is completely normal. Not only the body is tired of months of training and career, but it also our mind. Chris McCormack, considered one of the best triathletes, reminds us of something very important, the motivation is a force that requires constant care and maintenance and if we ignore it by not resting enough it is easy to lose it.

In an article for the magazine triathlete who wrote this athlete, who has more than 200 victories in his career, he says that an error often commit, and you should avoid completely, is to start a new training plan right away. "It is essential to take a while to absorb, then relax, recharge, and reset". Thus, says Macca, we can conquer our next goal.

How To Cope With Depression

Then, we share with you the plan of Chris McCormack how to cope with depression days. This plan may seem a bit excessive for many people and it is likely that many require less time. However, it is a good guide so that each runner structure their own plan according to the time and energy invested to accomplish your goal, so you can be prepared to take on a new. The plan has 4 stages: rest, recharge, reset and reconstruction.

Rest

1 to 2 weeks

The important thing at this stage is rest and relax without remorse. If it does do some physical activity like running, cycling, that is low-impact. If they can do it social, running or rolling with friends, that would be better.

Recharge

3 to 4 weeks post career

At this point, it is necessary to go by stimulating our minds and start thinking about races that we want to participate in the future. Here you can introduce training structured, up to 60% of the training load that was before the race. Motivation will begin to emerge again naturally.

Reset

4 to 6 weeks post career

At this point it is good time to follow a structured training plan.

Reconstruction

6 weeks or more days

A new structured training, and a renewed motivation continues road to meet your new goal.

3 Tips How To Cope With Depression

1. Hopes that this feeling can appear and accept it as a normal process in this life.
2. It takes a time to reflect and enjoy other areas of your life as your family and friends. Rest and carries out activities that you like and could not do during the training period, like travelling. You can help plan with time will you do after the big race.
3. After taking a break, it selects a new goal. Remember that it must be realistic and attainable while still represent a challenge.

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Manic Depression - What Is Manic Depression

Manic Depression - Manic Depression refers to a mood changing "high" (manic) to extremely "low" (depression). Another name for the disease manic depressive is bipolar disorder. This refers to the state of a person's moods alternate between the "poles" of mania (high) and depression (low). Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes unusual changes in mood, energy and ability to work of a person.

Manic Depression

Manic Depression

Manic depressive / manic depression or bipolar disorder, affects both men and women. Although you can begin at any age, it begins in late adolescence. Bipolar disorder is found in people of all ages, races, ethnic groups and social classes. It seems to have a genetic link and tends to occur in families. Unfortunately, in addition to affecting the life of who suffers from it, this disease has the potential to devastate the lives of caregivers you and those who are in his immediate family circle.

Manic depression - how is it diagnosed?

The symptoms of the disease manic-depression or bipolar disorder are classified according to the episodes, depending on these to be manic or depressive. States manic depressive are diagnosed in the following manner:

- Manic episode: A manic episode is diagnosed if a high State of mood occurs with three or more of the other symptoms most of the day, nearly every day or for a week or more. If the mood is irritable, four additional symptoms must be present.

- Depressive episode: is diagnosed an episode depressive if five or more of these symptoms last most of the day, almost every day, or for a period of two weeks or more.

- Mixed bipolar episode: However, in some people, the symptoms of mania and depression occur together in a mixed bipolar State. A person could have a state very sad mood and hopeless, while you feel energized at the same time.

Manic depression - what are the treatment options?

Meet your personal triggers: disease manic-depressive has a recurring pattern and requires continuous treatment. An adequate amount of sleep and regular sleep, are of vital importance in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Knowing personal triggers like sleep habits and events of life, help a proper treatment of the disease.

- Medication: Psychiatrists generally prescribe medications known as "mood stabilizers", for example: lithium or valproate. If needed, antidepressants are used to balance the highs and lows of the disease.

- Monitoring of thyroid function: people with bipolar disorder often have abnormal thyroid function. Thyroid levels need to be monitored carefully, as they affect mood and energy levels.

- Learn how to detect relapses: for a person with disease manic-depressive, understand the disease and learn to detect relapses, it is vital for the success of the treatment. This applies both to the person suffering from the disease, as for family members seeking treatment.

Manic depression - is there hope?

It is not uncommon for those who suffer it and members of his family, a sense of sadness in dissatisfaction, relating to the diagnosis of the disease manic depressive, despite having carefully monitored all treatment options.

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Major Depressive Disorder - Major Depressive Disorder Symptoms

Major Depressive Disorder - Major depressive disorder is a serious illness which is the symptoms including depressed mood, decrease in the level of energy and interest in the life, physical discomfort, changes in the patterns of food and sleep, and the thought and movements either agitated or slow. Severe depression is not a fleeting sadness. If you do not get treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months or years. However, proper treatment can help most people who suffer from depression.

Major Depressive Disorder

Major Depressive Disorder

Major Depressive Disorder / Severe Depression is a serious illness affecting 9.9 million adults in the United States, the equivalent to about 5% of the population annually. Severe depression causes more cases of disability in the United States than any other disease. Compared with the number of annual cases of depressive disorders that occur in men (3.2 million), more than double (6.7 million) occur in women.

Unlike normal and transient feelings of sadness, loss and grief, severe depression continues and causes serious problems in thinking, behavior, mood, activities and health in person.

Often, severe depression begins between 15 and 30 years of age, but it may also occur in children and the elderly. All persons, regardless of age, ethnic or economic group, may suffer from depression. More than half of people who suffer from an episode of depression will continue to have episodes to once or twice a year if they are not treated. Without treatment, a person with depression can get to suicide.

Severe depression, also known as clinical depression or unipolar depression, is only a type of depressive disorder. Other depressive disorders include dysthymia (a chronic but less severe than clinical depression mode) and bipolar disorder (or maniacodepresion). People who suffer from bipolar disorder, usually suffer from alternating episodes of depression and mania. During periods of mania, people are in a mood of "exaltation" abnormal or feel unusually irritable. These people may have a perception of themselves or their extremely good but unrealistic skills; also there may be a marked increase of energy, sneaky thoughts and talking very fast.

Major Depressive Disorder Symptoms

The beginning of the first episode of severe depression may not be obvious if it is gradual or mild, but the person usually begins to behave and think in a way very different from the usual. Often symptoms include:

• very sad or irritable mood that does not improve
• considerable changes in the pattern of sleep, appetite and energy
• difficulty thinking, concentrating and remembering
• slow physical movements or unusual turmoil
• lack of interest or pleasure in activities that usually enjoyed
• guilt, not worth anything, hopelessness and a huge gap
• ideas again and again about suicide or death
• constant physical ailments that don't respond to treatment, for example, headache, digestive discomfort and chronic pain
• When several symptoms of depression that last more than two weeks and cause problems to carry out daily activities, the person needs professional treatment.

What causes severe depression?

There is not a single cause of severe depression. Most likely, that psychological and biological and environmental factors have to do with the cause of this disorder. Scientists have discovered that severe depression is a biological disorder of the brain, and studies that have been conducted show that depressed people may have a problem with chemical substances in the brain.

Norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine are three chemicals that are found in the brain (called neurotransmitters) allowing that neurons or brain cells to communicate with each other. Scientists believe that these substances could have something to do with severe depression. If there is a very small amount of these substances necessary for the brain, there could be clinical depression. Antidepressant medications are useful because they produce larger amounts of the chemical substance needed either, make those substances to function more effectively.

The scientists also found that genes may predispose to one person rather than another to suffered severe depression. When you have family members who suffer from this disease, it runs one higher risk of also suffer from depression. Not all people who have or have had family members with depression will suffer, but some people have a biological predisposition which makes them more vulnerable to depression.

Sometimes, the circumstances of the life of a person, for example, the death of a loved one, a loss or a strong change, chronic stress or abuse drugs or alcohol might trigger depression, and it is also known that up to some diseases or medications can cause it. However, depression can occur without having any of these factors in the person's life, and even if there is no crisis or physical illness.

What is the treatment for severe depression?

Although severe depression can be a devastating disease, it usually responds very well to treatment. Between 80 and 90 percent of people with severe depression can greatly improve, resume your normal daily activities and feel good if they follow a good treatment. There are many treatments available, but the most suitable depends on the person and the severity of the disease.

There are three basic treatments for depression: drugs, psychotherapy and therapy electroconvulsive (ECT, acronym in English). At times, each of these used separately and combined at times according to what is best for each person.

Drugs. Problems with the chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters (such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine) can be corrected taking antidepressants. Most of the time the four groups following antidepressants are prescribed to combat depression:
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are widely used in cases of severe depression. The TCAs improve mood and behavior, but usually need three to four weeks so that they begin to take effect and the person begins to respond. These drugs include amitriptyline (Amititril, Elavil), desipramine (Norpramine, Pertofrane), Doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Antipress, Imavate, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor) and protriptyline (Vivactyl). & Inhibitors of monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) are frequently effective in people who do not respond to other medicines for depression or who have depression with a high degree of anxiety, which spend much time sleeping, and have characteristics of irritability, hypochondriasis (imagine having a physical illness) or phobia (extreme fear that is not realistic). These medications include phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate) sulfate.

Selective inhibitors of the reuptake of serotonin (SSRIs) affect the neurotransmitter called serotonin. In general, the SSRIs cause fewer side effects than the TCAs and MAOIS. These medications include fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil).

Inhibitors of the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine (SNRIs) represent a useful treatment as first choice or if other medications have not had a good effect. In general, the SNRIs cause fewer side effects than the TCAs and MAOIS. The best-known SNRIS are venlafaxine (Effexor).

Bupropion (Wellbutrin) is a more recent antidepressant that affects the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine. In general, bupropion produces fewer side effects than the TCAs and MAOIS.
People who suffer from severe depression and their families must be very careful when treatment is started because recovering the energy levels and the ability to act before mood improves. This is the moment in which a depressed person is easier to make decisions - but remains depressed - and the risk of suicide is very high.

Psychotherapy. There are several types of psychotherapy are very useful in cases of depression, for example cognitive therapy / behavioral (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT). Mild to moderate cases of depression can be treated successfully with any of these therapies individually, but in cases of severe depression, the person is more likely to respond better to a combination of psychotherapy and medication.

Cognitive therapy / behavioral (CBT) helps to change negative thoughts and behavior seen with depression. It teaches people to change the behaviors that contribute to their illness.
Interpersonal therapy (IPT) focuses on improving personal relationships that can make depression worse.

Therapy electroconvulsive (ECT) is a highly effective treatment for episodes of severe depression, especially when the medication, psychotherapy or combination of both does not work well or runs very slowly to relieve symptoms such as psychosis or ideas suicide.
What are the side effects of the medications for depression?
All medicines have side effects and different medicines have different side effects. In addition, each person side effects manifested in a different way.

In approximately 50 percent of people who take antidepressants side effects occur during the first weeks of treatment, but these are usually minor or passengers. Side effects that have problems in particular can be controlled by changing the dose of the medication, changing to another medication or giving treatment side effects with other medicines.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) side effects include dry mouth, constipation, problems of the bladder, sexual problems, blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness, skin rashes and loss or weight gain.
Monoamine oxidase (Mao) inhibitors may have dangerous interactions with certain smoked, fermented or pickled foods and some drinks or specific drugs because they increase blood pressure when combined with MAOIS. Other less serious side effects may include weight gain, constipation, dryness of the mouth, dizziness, headache, drowsiness, insomnia and sexual side effects (excitement or sexual satisfaction problems).

The SSRIs and SNRIs tend to produce fewer side effects, but can cause nausea, nervousness, insomnia, diarrhea, rash, agitation or sexual side effects (excitement or sexual satisfaction problems).
Bupropion usually causes fewer side effects than the TCAs and MAOIS. Side effects that may occur with this drug include agitation, insomnia, headache or worsening of migraine headache, tremors, dry mouth, confusion, fast heart rate, dizziness, nausea, constipation, menstrual discomfort and skin rash. Bupropion (Wellbutrin) is temporarily withdrawn from the market little once it was introduced for the first time because some patients suffered seizures while taking it, but subsequent studies showed that seizures were mainly associated with high doses (doses greater than the highest dose currently recommended 450 mg/day). Other factors that increase the risk of having seizures are a history of seizures or trauma to the brain, eating, excessive alcohol use disorders or taking other drugs. With new warnings and lower doses recommended, has been greatly reduced the chance of having seizures when this medicine is taken.

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