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F32, F33 Recurrent depressive disorder
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Single episode, Recurrent, Bipolar I disorder most recent episode depressed
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is a state of
Sadness or
Melancholia that has advanced to the point of being disruptive to an individual's social functioning and/or activities of daily living.
The diagnosis may be applied when an individual meets a sufficient number of the symptomatic criteria for the
Depression Spectrum as suggested in the
DSM-IV-TR or
ICD-9 /
10 . An individual is often seen to suffer from what is termed a "clinical depression" without fully meeting the various criteria advanced for a specific diagnosis on the depression spectrum. There is an ongoing debate regarding the relative importance of genetic or environmental factors, or gross brain problems versus psychosocial functioning.
Although a
Mood characterized by
Sadness is often colloquially referred to as
Depression , clinical depression is something more than just a temporary state of sadness.
Symptom s lasting two weeks or longer, and of a severity that begins to interfere with typical social functioning and/or activities of daily living, are considered to constitute clinical depression.
Clinical depression was originally considered to be a
Chemical Imbalance in transmitters in the brain, a theory based on observations made in the 1950s of the effects of
Reserpine and
Isoniazid in altering monoamine neurotransmitter levels and affecting depressive symptoms
1. Subsequent antidepressants have also been found to alter monoamine levels, particularly of serotonin and noradrenaline
2. Despite a growing body of
evidence suggesting otherwise, it is still a commonly held belief that depression is ''only'' a chemical imbalance. This idea is often promoted in pharmaceutical advertising, and perpetuated in everyday discussions. Despite this reliance on "common wisdom", recent research and commentary has begun to address depression as an issue broader than this.
Clinical depression affects about 16%
3 of the population on at least one occasion in their lives. The
Mean Age Of Onset , from a number of studies, is in the late 20s. About twice as many females as males report or receive treatment for clinical depression, though this imbalance is shrinking over the course of recent history; this difference seems to completely disappear after the age of 50 - 55, when most females have passed the end of
Menopause . Clinical depression is currently the leading cause of
Disability in the US as well as other countries, and is expected to become the second leading cause of disability worldwide (after
Heart Disease ) by the year 2020, according to the
World Health Organization 4.
On a historical note, the modern idea of depression appears similar to the much older concept of
Melancholia . The name ''melancholia'' derives from 'black bile', one of the '
Four Humours ' postulated by
Galen .
The
Ebers Papyrus (ca 1550 BC) contains a short description of clinical depression. Though full of incantations and foul applications meant to turn away disease-causing demons and other superstition, it also evinces a long tradition of empirical practice and observation.
According to the
DSM-IV-TR criteria for diagnosing a major depressive disorder one of the following two elements must be present (See the
DSM Cautionary Statement .):
It is sufficient to have either of these symptoms in conjunction with five of a list of other symptoms over a two-week period. These include
- Feelings of overwhelming Sadness or Fear or the seeming inability to feel Emotion ( Emptiness ).
- A decrease in the amount of pleasure derived from what were previously pleasurable activities.
- Changing Appetite and marked Weight gain or loss.
- Disturbed Sleep patterns, such as Insomnia , loss of REM sleep, or excessive sleep.
- Changes in activity levels, such as restlessness or a slowing of movement.
- Fatigue , mental or physical.
- Feelings of Guilt , helplessness, hopelessness, Anxiety , or Fear .
- Trouble concentrating or making decisions or a generalized slowing and obtunding of cognition, including memory.
- Self-harm or ruminating on self-harm, Death or Suicide .
Other symptoms sometimes reported but not usually taken into account in diagnosis include
- A decrease in Self-esteem .
- Inattention to personal hygiene.
- Sensitivity to noise.
- Physical aches and pains, and the belief these may be signs of serious illness.
- Fear of 'going mad'.
- Change in perception of time.
Depression in
Child ren is not as obvious as it is in adults. Here are some symptoms that children might display:
- Loss of appetite.
- Irritability.
- Sleep problems, such as recurrent Nightmare s.
- Learning or memory problems where none existed before.
- Significant behavioral changes; such as withdrawal, social isolation, and Aggression .
An additional indicator could be the excessive use of drugs or
Alcohol . Depressed adolescents are at particular risk of further destructive behaviors, such as
Eating Disorder s and
Self-harm .
One of the most widely used instruments for measuring depression severity is the
Beck Depression Inventory , a 21-question multiple choice survey.
It is hard for people who have not experienced clinical depression, either personally or by regular exposure to people suffering it, to understand its emotional impact and severity, interpreting it instead as being similar to "having the blues" or "feeling down." As the list of symptoms above indicates, clinical depression is a serious, potentially lethal systemic disorder characterized by interlocking physical, affective, and cognitive symptoms that have consequences for function and survival well beyond sad or painful feelings.
Mnemonics commonly used to remember the DSM-IV criteria are Carlat DJ. The Psychiatric Review of Symptoms: A Screening Tool for Family Physicians. American Family Physician. Vol. 58/No. 7 (November 1, 1998). Available at:
http://www.aafp.org/afp/981101ap/carlat.html . Accessed on: April 30, 2006. ('''s'''leep, '''i'''nterest (anhedonia), '''g'''uilt, '''e'''nergy, '''c'''oncentration, '''a'''ppetite, '''p'''sychomotor, '''s'''uicidality) and '''DEAD SWAMP'''Depression: major depression criteria. MedicalMnemonics.com. URL:
http://www.medicalmnemonics.com/cgi-bin/return_browse.cfm?discipline=Psychiatry&browse=1 . Accessed on: April 30, 2006. ('''d'''epressed mood, '''e'''nergy, '''a'''nhedonia, '''d'''eath (thoughts of), '''s'''leep, '''w'''orthlessness/guilt, '''a'''ppetite, '''m'''entation, '''p'''sychomotor).
The diagnostic category ''major depressive disorder'' appears in the
Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders of the
American Psychiatric Association . The term is generally not used in countries which instead use the
ICD-10 system, but the diagnosis of ''depressive episode'' is very similar to an episode of major depression. ''Clinical depression'' also usually refers to acute or chronic depression severe enough to need treatment. ''Minor depression'' is a less-used term for a subclinical depression that does not meet criteria for major depression but where there are at least two symptoms present for two weeks.
''Major Depression,'' or, more properly, ''Major Depressive Disorder (MDD),'' is characterized by a severely depressed mood that persists for at least two weeks, and is generally recognized to contain an organic (chemical) component . Major Depressive Disorder is specified as either "a single episode" or "recurrent"; periods of depression may occur as discrete events or as recurrent over the lifespan. Episodes of major or clinical depression may be further divided into mild, major or severe. Where the patient has already had an episode of
Mania or
Markedly Elevated Mood , a diagnosis of ''
Bipolar Disorder '' (also called ''bipolar affective disorder'') is usually made instead of MDD; depression without periods of elation or mania is therefore sometimes referred to as ''unipolar depression''. The diagnosis also usually excludes cases where the symptoms are a normal result of
Bereavement .
Diagnosticians recognize several possible subtypes of Major Depressive Disorder. ICD-10 does not specify a melancholic subtype, but does distinguish on presence or absence of
Psychosis .
- '' Depression With Catatonic Features '' - Catatonia is characterized by motoric immobility evidenced by Catalepsy or Stupor . This MDD subtype may also manifest excessive, nonprompted motor activity ( Akathisia ), extreme negativism or Mutism , and peculiarities in movement, including stereotypical movements, prominent mannerisms, and prominent grimacing. There may also be evidence of Echolalia or Echopraxia . It is very rarely encountered, and may not be a useful category.
- '' Depression With Melancholic Features '' - Melancholia is characterized by a loss of pleasure (anhedonia) in most or all activities, a failure of reactivity to pleasurable stimuli, a quality of depressed mood more pronounced than that of grief or loss, a worsening of symptoms in the morning hours, early morning waking, psychomotor retardation, anorexia (excessive weight loss, not to be confused with Anorexia Nervosa ), or excessive guilt.
- '' Depression With Atypical Features '' - Atypicality is characterized by mood reactivity (paradoxical anhedonia) and positivity, significant weight gain or increased appetite, excessive sleep or somnolence (hypersomnia), leaden paralysis, or significant social impairment as a consequence of hypersensitivity to perceived interpersonal rejection.
- '' Depression With Psychotic Features '' - presents with Hallucination s or Delusion s that are either mood-congruent (content coincident with depressive themes) or non-mood-congruent (content not coincident with depressive themes). It is clinically more common to encounter a Delusional System as an adjunct to depression than to encounter hallucinations, whether visual or auditory.
Dysthymia is a long-term, mild depression that lasts for a minimum of two years. By definition the symptoms are not as severe as with Major Depression, although those with Dysthymia are vulnerable to co-occurring episodes of Major Depression. This disorder often begins in
Adolescence and crosses the lifespan.
Bipolar I Disorder is an episodic illness in which moods may cycle between
Mania and depression. In the United States, Bipolar Disorder was previously called Manic Depression. This term is no longer favored by the medical community, however, even though depression plays a much stronger (in terms of disability and potential for suicide) role in the disorder. "Manic Depression" is still often used in the nonmedical community.
Bipolar II Disorder is an episodic illness that is defined primarily by depression but evidences episodes of
Hypomania .
Postpartum Depression or ''Post-Natal Depression'' is clinical depression that occurs within two years of childbirth. Due to physical, mental and emotional exhaustion combined with sleep-deprivation; motherhood can "set women up" so to speak for clinical depression. Fray, Kathy: "Oh Baby...Birth, Babies & Motherhood Uncensored", pages 367-381. Random House NZ, 2005, ISBN 1-86941-713-5
The different types of Depression and Anxiety are classified separately by the DSM-IV-TR, with the exception of
Hypomania , which is included in the
Bipolar Disorder category. Despite the different categories, depression and anxiety can indeed be
Co-occurring (occurring together, independently, and without
Mood Congruence ), or
Comorbid (occurring together, with overlapping symptoms, and with
Mood Congruence ). In an effort to bridge the gap between the
DSM-IV-TR categories and what clinicians actually encounter, experts such as
Herman Van Praag of
Maastricht University have proposed ideas such as anxiety/aggression-driven depression . This idea refers to an
Anxiety/depression Spectrum for these two disorders, which differs from the mainstream perspective of discrete diagnostic categories.
Although there is no specific diagnostic category for the comorbidity of depression and anxiety in the DSM or ICD, the
National Comorbidity Survey (US) reports that 58 percent of those with major depression also suffer from lifetime anxiety. Supporting this finding, two widely accepted clinical colloquiallisms include
- ''agitated depression'' - a state of depression that presents as anxiety and includes akathisia, suicide, insomnia (not early morning wakefulness), nonclinical (meaning "doesn't meet the standard for formal diagnosis") and nonspecific panic, and a general sense of dread.
- ''akathitic depression'' - a state of depression that presents as anxiety or suicidality and includes akathisia but does not include symptoms of panic.
It is also clear that even mild anxiety symptoms can have a major impact on the course of a depressive illness, and the commingling of any anxiety symptoms with the primary depression is important to consider. A pilot study by and
Nemeroff et al., of
Emory University , found that depressed and anxious women with a history of childhood abuse recorded higher heart rates and the stress hormone
ACTH when subjected to stressful situations.
Hypomania , as the name suggests, is a state of mind or behavior that is "below" (''hypo'')
Mania . In other words, a person in a hypomanic state often displays behavior that has all the earmarks of a full-blown mania (e.g., marked elevation of mood that is characterized by euphoria, overactivity, disinhibition, impulsivity, a decreased need for sleep, hypersexuality), but these symptoms, though disruptive and seemingly out of character, are not so pronounced as to be considered a diagnosably manic episode.
Another important point is that hypomania is a diagnostic category that includes both
Anxiety and depression. It often presents as a state of anxiety that occurs in the context of a clinical depression. Patients in a hypomanic state often describe a sense of extreme generalized or specific anxiety, recurring panic attacks, night terrors, guilt, and
Agency (as it pertains to
Codependence and
Counterdependence ). All of this happens while they are in a state of retarded or somnolent depression. This is the type of depression in which a person is lethargic and unable to move through life. The terms ''retarded'' and ''somnolent'' are shorthand for states of depression that include lethargy, hypersomnia, a lack of motivation, a collapse of ADLs (activities of daily living), and social withdrawal. This is similar to the shorthand used to describe an "agitated" or "
Akathitic " depression.
In considering the hypomania-depression connection, a distinction should be made between
Anxiety ,
Panic , and
Stress . Anxiety is a physiological state that is caused by the
Sympathetic Nervous System . Anxiety does not need an outside influence to occur. Panic is related to the
"fight Or Flight" mechanism. It is a reaction, induced by an outside stimulus, and is a product of the
Sympathetic Nervous System and the
Cerebral Cortex . More plainly, panic is an anxiety state that we are thinking about. Finally, stress is a
Psychosocial reaction, influenced by how a person filters nonthreatening external events. This filtering is based on one's own ideas, assumptions, and expectations. Taken together, these ideas, assumptions, and expectations are called social
Constructionism .
On a final note, researchers at the
University Of California ,
San Diego , under the guidance of
Hagop Akiskal MD, have found convincing evidence for the co-occurrence of hypomanic symptoms associated with a diagnosis of depression where the diagnosis does not meet criteria for Bipolar Disorder. Symptoms under consideration, such as irritability, misdirected anger, and compulsivity, also may not present sufficiently to be considered a hypomanic episode, as described by a
Bipolar II Disorder. As noted in the Frank study mentioned above, this particular course of the disease, with the breakthrough of anxiety, may have a significant impact on the overall course of the depression.
This idea of co-occurring anxiety and depresion is supported in a study by
Giovanni Cassano MD of the
University Of Pisa and his collaborators on the Spectrum Project, who found a correlation between lifetime hypomanic and manic symptoms and the severity of the depression.
:"The presence of a significant number of manic/hypomanic items in patients with recurrent unipolar depression seems to challenge the traditional unipolar-bipolar dichotomy."
These authors, along with many other researchers, argue in support of a revision of the approach to psychiatric diagnosis into what is being called the mood spectrum, so as to "
more accurate diagnostic evaluation[s ." This approach, although controversial, has begun to be given consideration by many behavioral health professionals.
No specific cause for depression has been identified, but a number of factors are believed to be involved.
- – The tendency to develop depression may be inherited; there is some evidence that this disorder may run in families. A 2004 Press Release from the National Institute Of Mental Health declares "major depression is thought to be 40-70 percent heritable, but likely involves an interaction of several genes with environmental events." {Link without Title}
- – There may be changes or imbalances in chemicals that transmit information in the brain, called Neurotransmitters . Many modern Antidepressant Drug s attempt to increase levels of certain neurotransmitters, such as Serotonin and norepinephrine. Although the causal relationship is unclear, it is known that antidepressant medications can relieve certain symptoms of depression, although critics point out that the relationship between serotonin, SSRIs, and depression usually is typically greatly oversimplified when presented to the public (see here ).
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depressive disorder that occurs in the winter when daylight hours are short. It is believed that the body's production of Melatonin , which is produced at higher levels in the dark, plays a major part in the onset of SAD and that many sufferers respond well to bright light therapy, also known as Phototherapy . High levels of Omega-6 Fatty Acids in the brain have also been linked to depression.
- – Low Self-esteem and self-defeating or distorted thinking are connected with depression. Although it is not clear which is the cause and which is the effect, it is known that depressed persons who are able to make corrections in their thinking patterns can show improved mood and self-esteem. Psychological factors related to depression include the complex development of one's personality and how one has learned to cope with external environmental factors such as Stress .
- – Events such as the death of a parent, Abandonment or rejection, Neglect , chronic illness, and physical, psychological, or sexual Abuse can also increase the likelihood of depression later in life. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) includes depression as one of its major symptoms.
- – Job loss, financial difficulties, long periods of Unemployment , the loss of a spouse or other family member, divorce or the end of a committed relationship, or other Trauma tic events may trigger depression. Long-term stress at home, work, or school can also be involved.
- – Certain illnesses, including cardiovascular disease6, Hepatitis , Mononucleosis , Hypothyroidism , and organic brain damage caused by degenerative conditions such as Parkinson disease or by traumatic blunt force injury may contribute to depression, as may certain prescription drugs such as Birth Control Pills and Steroid s. Gender dysphoria can also cause depression.
- – The increase in depression in industrialised societies has been linked to diet, particularly to reduced levels of omega-3 Fatty Acids in Intensively Farmed food and processed foods7. This link has been at least partly validated by studies using dietary supplements in schools8 and by a double-blind test in a prison.
- – Alcohol can have a negative effect on mood, and misuse of alcohol, Benzodiazepine -based tranquilizers, and sleeping medications can all play a major role in the length and severity of depression. The link between frequent Cannabis use and depression is also widely documented, although the direction of causality remains in question; Dr. Salynn Boyles writes, "...research has linked pot smoking with depression and schizophrenia ... daily use marijuana was associated with a five-fold increase in later depression and anxiety among young women. But depression and anxiety were not predictive of later marijuana use." [http://www.webmd.com/content/article/53/61380.htm?z=1728_00000_1000_ln_01]
- – Those living with someone suffering from depression experience increased Anxiety and life disruption, increasing the possibility of also becoming depressed.
- – Evolutionary Theory suggests that depression is a protective mechanism: If an individual is involved in a lengthy fight for dominance of a social group and is clearly losing, depression causes the individual to back down and accept the submissive role. In doing so, the individual is protected from unnecessary harm. In this way, depression helps maintain a social hierarchy.
- – Another evolutionary theory is that the cognitive response that produces modern-day depression evolved as a mechanism that allows people to assess whether they are in pursuit of an unreachable goal. Still others claim that depression can be linked to Perfectionism . People who accept satisfactory outcomes In Lieu of "the best" outcome tend to lead happier lives.
and
Psychotherapy . A third treatment,
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), may be used when chemical treatment fails.
Other alternative treatments used for depression include exercise and the use of vitamins, herbs, or other nutritional supplements.
The effectiveness of treatment often depends on factors such as the amount of optimism and hope the sufferer is able to maintain, the control s/he has over stressors, the severity of symptoms, the amount of time the sufferer has been depressed, the results of previous treatments, and the degree of support of family, friends, and significant others.
Although treatment is generally effective, in some cases the condition does not respond. Treatment-resistant depression warrants a full assessment, which may lead to the addition of psychotherapy, higher medication dosages, changes of medication or combination therapy, a trial of
ECT /electroshock, or even a change in the diagnosis, with subsequent treatment changes. Although this process helps many, some people's symptoms continue unabated.
In emergencies,
Psychiatric Hospitalization is used simply to keep suicidal people safe until they cease to be dangers to themselves. Another treatment program is
Partial Hospitalization , in which the patient sleeps at home but spends the day, either five or seven days a week, in a psychiatric hospital setting in intense treatment. This treatment usually involves
Group Therapy ,
Individual Therapy ,
Psychopharmacology , and academics (in child and adolescent programs).
Medication that relieves the symptoms of depression has been available for several decades. These drugs are listed in order of historical development. Typical first-line therapy for depression is the use of an SSRI, such as
Sertraline (Zoloft).
''
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor s'' (MAOIs) such as Nardil may be used if other antidepressant medications are ineffective. Because there are potentially fatal interactions between this class of medication and certain foods and drugs, they are rarely prescribed anymore. A new MAOI has recently been introduced.
Moclobemide (Manerix), known as a
Reversible Inhibitor Of Monoamine Oxidase A (RIMA), follows a very specific chemical pathway and does not require a special diet.
''
Tricyclic Antidepressant s'' are the oldest and include such medications as
Amitriptyline and
Desipramine . They are used less commonly now because of their side effects, which include increased
Heart rate, drowsiness, dry mouth, and
Memory impairment. Most importantly, they have a high potential to be lethal in moderate overdose. However, tricyclic antidepressants are still used because of their high potency, especially in severe cases of clinical depression.
''
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor s'' (SSRIs) make up the current standard family of antidepressants. It is thought that one cause of depression is that an inadequate amount of
Serotonin , a chemical that the brain uses to transmit signals between nerve cells, is produced. These drugs are said to work by preventing the reabsorption of serotonin by the nerve cell, thus maintaining the levels the brain needs to function effectively, although two researchers recently demonstrated that this is a marketing technique rather than a scientific portrayal of how the drugs actually work.
Recent research indicates that these drugs may interact with transcription factors known as "clock genes"[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15994025&query_hl=24 , which may be important for the addictive properties of drugs of abuse and possibly in obesity[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16094306&query_hl=27][http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=16288309&query_hl=24].
This family of drugs includes
Fluoxetine (Prozac),
Paroxetine (Paxil),
Escitalopram (Lexapro), and
Sertraline (Zoloft). These antidepressants typically have fewer adverse side effects than the tricyclics or the MAOIs, although such effects as drowsiness, dry mouth, and decreased ability to function sexually may occur.
''
Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor s'' such as
Reboxetine (Edronax) act via
Norepinephrine (also known as ''noradrenaline''). NeRIs are thought to have a positive effect on concentration and motivation in particular.
''
Serotonin-norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor s'' (SNRIs) such as
Venlafaxine (Effexor) and
Duloxetine (Cymbalta) are a newer form of antidepressant that works on both noradrenaline and serotonin. They typically have similar side effects to the SSRIs, although there may be a withdrawal syndrome on discontinuation that may necessitate dosage tapering.
On
28 February 2006 , the
United States Food And Drug Administration approved Emsam, a
Transdermal MAOI patch developed by
British company Somerset Pharmaceuticals, to be marketed in the U.S. by
Bristol-Myers Squibb {Link without Title} .
''
5-HTP '' supplements are claimed to provide more raw material to the body's natural serotonin production process. There is a reasonable indication that 5-HTP may not be effective for those who haven't already responded well to an SSRI.
''
S-adenosyl Methionine '' (SAM-e) is a derivative of the amino acid
Methionine that is found throughout the human body, where it acts as a methyl donor and participates in other biochemical reactions. It is available as a prescription antidepressant in Europe and an over-the-counter dietary supplement in the United States. Clinical trials have shown SAM-e to be as effective as standard antidepressant medication, with many fewer side effects.
9,
10 Its mode of action is unknown.
''
Omega-3 Fatty Acids '' (found naturally in
Oily Fish ,
Flax Seeds ,
Hemp Seeds ,
Walnuts , and
Canola Oil ) have also been found to be effective when used as a dietary supplement (although only fish-based omega-3 fatty acids have shown antidepressant efficacy)
{Link without Title} .
''
Magnesium '' has gathered some attention
{Link without Title} {Link without Title} .
''
St John's Wort ''
Perforatum Traditionally used by 'wise women' and midwives for hundreds of years, to 'chase away the devil' of melancholia and anxiety. It is a mood-enhancing antidepressant supplement that increases the availability of serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine at the neuron synapses. Also popular for treating insomnia, mood swings, fatigue, PMS and menopause.
''
Ginkgo Biloba '' Effective natural antidepressant said to stabilise cell membranes, inhibiting lipid breakdown and aiding cell use of oxygen and glucose - so subsequently a mental and vascular stimulant that improves neaurtransmitter production. Also popular for treating mental concentration (eg for Alzheimer's and post-strokes).
''
Siberian Ginseng ''
Senticosus Although not a true
Panax Ginseng it is a mood enhancement supplment against stress. Also popular for treating depression, insomnia, moodiness, fatigue, poor memory, lack of focus, mental tension and endurance.
''
Zinc '': 25mg per day have had an antidepressant effect
Low serum zinc levels have been associated with major depression [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=9276075&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum .
''
Biotin '': a deficiency has caused severe depression. The patient's symptoms improved after the deficiency was corrected.
{Link without Title}
Some antidepressants have been found to work more effectively in some patients when used in combination with another drug. Such "augmentor" drugs include
Tryptophan (Tryptan) and
Buspirone (Buspar).
''
Tranquillizer s and
Sedative s'', typically the
Benzodiazepine s, may be prescribed to ease anxiety and promote sleep. Because of their high potential for fostering dependence, these medications are intended only for short-term or occasional use. Medications often are used not for their primary function but to exploit what are normally
Side Effect s.
Quetiapine fumarate (Seroquel) is designed primarily to treat
Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, but a frequently reported side-effect is
Somnolence . Therefore, this drug can be used in place of an antianxiety agent such as
Clonazepam (Klonopin, Rivotril).
''
Antipsychotic s'' such as
Risperidone (Risperdal),
Olanzapine (Zyprexa), and
Quetiapine (Seroquel) are prescribed as
Mood stabilizers and are also effective in treating
Anxiety . Their use as mood stabilizers is a recent phenomenon and is controversial with some patients.
Antipsychotics (typical or atypical) may be also prescribed in an attempt to augment an
Antidepressant , to make antidepressant blood concentration higher, or to relieve
Psychotic or
Paranoid symptoms often accompanying clinical depression. However, they may have serious side effects, particularly at high dosages, which may include blurred
Vision ,
Muscle spasms, restlessness,
Tardive Dyskinesia , and weight gain.
Antidepressants by their nature are stimulants. Antianxiety medications by their nature are depressants. Close medical supervision is critical to proper treatment if a patient presents with both illnesses because the medications tend to work against each other.
''
Lithium '' remains the standard treatment for
Bipolar Disorder and is often used in conjunction with other medications, depending on whether mania or depression is being treated. Lithium's potential side effects include
Thirst ,
Tremor s, light-headedness, and
Nausea or
Diarrhea . Some of the
Anticonvulsants , such as
Carbamazepine (Tegretol),
Sodium Valproate (Epilim), and
Lamotrigine (Lamictal), are also used as mood stabilizers, particularly in bipolar disorder.
Failure to take medication or failure to take it as prescribed is one of the major causes of
Relapse . Should one feel a change or discontinuation of medication is necessary, it is critical that this be done in consultation with a doctor.
In
Psychotherapy , or ''counseling'', one receives assistance in understanding and resolving problems that may be contributing to depression. This may be done individually or with a group and is conducted by health professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, or psychiatric nurses. It is important to ask about the therapist's training and approach; a very close bond often forms between practitioner and client, and it is important that the client feel understood by the clinician.
Counselors can help a person make changes in thinking patterns, deal with relationship problems, detect and deal with relapses, and understand the factors that contribute to depression.
There are many therapeutic approaches, but all are aimed at improving one's personal and interpersonal functioning. ''
Cognitive Therapy '', also known as ''Cognitive Behavior Therapy'', focuses on how people think about themselves and their relationships. It works to counteract negative thought patterns and enhance self-esteem. Therapy can be used to help a person develop or improve ''
Interpersonal Skills '' in order to allow him or her to communicate more effectively and reduce stress. ''
Narrative Therapy '' gives attention to each person's "dominant story" by means of therapeutic conversations, which also may involve exploring unhelpful ideas and how they came to prominence. Possible social and cultural influences may be explored if the client deems it helpful. ''
Behavioral Therapy '' is based on the assumption that behaviors are learned. This type of therapy attempts to teach people more healthful types of behaviors. ''
Supportive Therapy '' encourages people to discuss their problems and provides them with emotional support. The focus is on sharing information, ideas, and strategies for coping with daily life. ''
Family Systems Therapy '' helps people live together more harmoniously and undo patterns of destructive behavior.
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is under study as a possible treatment for depression. Initially designed as a tool for physiological studies of the brain, this technique shows promise as a means of alleviating depression. In this therapy, a powerful magnetic field is used to stimulate the left prefrontal
Cortex , an area of the brain that typically shows abnormal activity in depressed people.
rTMS has been proposed as an alternative to ECT that would have fewer side effects. No sedation is needed, and the only reported side effects are a slight headache in some patients and facial muscle contraction during treatment. However, clear evidence that it is effective is still awaited.
11
Recent work in Poland suggested that weak, variable magnetic fields may offer relief from depression in those who have not responded to medication. However, some of the existing work has been
questioned , with claims that the effect is not as significant once environmental conditions are
Controlled for.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation therapy is a treatment used since 1997 to control
Seizure s in
Epileptic patients and has recently been approved for treating resistant cases of clinical depression. The VNS device is implanted in a patient's chest with wires that connect it to the
Vagus Nerve , which it stimulates to reach a region of the brain associated with
Mood s. The device delivers controlled electrical currents to the vagus nerve at regular intervals.
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), also known as ''electroshock'' or ''electroshock therapy,'' uses short bursts of a controlled current of
Electricity (typically fixed at 0.9 ampere) into the brain to induce a brief, artificial
Seizure while the patient is under
General Anaesthesia .
ECT has acquired a fearsome reputation, in part from its use as a tool of
Repression in the former
USSR and its fictional depiction in films such as ''
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest '', but remains a common treatment where other means of treatment have failed or where the use of drugs is unacceptable (as in
Pregnancy ). Also, in contrast to direct electroshock of years ago, most countries now allow ECT to be administered only under anaesthesia. In a typical regimen of treatment, a patient receives three treatments per week over three or four weeks. Repeat sessions may be needed.
Short-term Memory loss, disorientation, and headache are very common side effects. In some cases, permanent memory loss has occurred, but detailed neuropsychological testing in clinical studies has not been able to prove permanent effects on memory. ECT offers the benefit of a very fast response; however, this response has been shown not to last unless maintenance electroshock or maintenance medication is used. Whereas antidepressants usually take around a month to take effect, the results of ECT have been shown to be much faster. For this reason, it is the treatment of choice in emergencies (e.g., in catatonic depression in which the patient has ceased oral intake of fluid or nutrients).
There remains much controversy over electroshock. Advocacy groups and scientific critics, such as Dr
Peter Breggin {Link without Title} , call for restrictions on its use or complete abolishment. Like all forms of psychiatric treatment, electroshock can be given without a patient's consent, but this is subject to legal conditions dependent on the jurisdiction.
Bright
Light (both
Sunlight and artificial light) is shown to be effective in
Seasonal Affective Disorder , and sometimes may be effective in other types of depression, especially atypical depression or depression with "seasonal
Phenotype " (overeating, oversleeping, weight gain,
Apathy ).
An antidepressant effect is caused by stimulation of the
Retina by the
Visible Light , not by the
Ultra-violet portion. Thus, it is not necessary (and may be even dangerous in some cases) to get
Sunburn . It can be enough just to walk at daytime or to take light therapy using a light box. However, recent discoveries of the existence and importance of the third kind of photoreceptor in our eyes, the
Intrinsically Photosensitive Retinal Ganglion Cells (ipRGC), critical to
Human Chronobiology, strongly suggest that bluish light is more helpful, and manufacturers are beginning to respond to this finding.
It is widely believed that physical activity and
Exercise help depressed patients and promote quicker and better relief from depression. They are also thought to help antidepressants and psychotherapy work better and faster. It can be difficult to find the motivation to exercise if the depression is severe, but sufferers should be encouraged to take part in some form of regularly scheduled physical activity. A workout need not be strenuous; many find
Walking , for example, to be of great help. Exercise produces higher levels of chemicals in the brain, notably
Dopamine ,
Serotonin , and
Norepinephrine . In general this leads to improvements in mood, which is effective in countering depression.
Note that before beginning an exercise regime, it is wise to consult a doctor. He or she can establish whether a person has any health problems that could contraindicate some types of exercise.
Meditation is increasingly seen as a useful treatment for depression. The current professional opinion on meditation is that it represents at least a complementary method of treating depression, a view that has been clearly underscored by the Mayo Clinic. Since the late 1990s, much research has been carried out to determine how meditation affects the brain (for more information see the main article on meditation). Although the effects on the mind are complex, they are often quite positive, encouraging a calm,
Reflective , and
Rational state of mind that can be of great help against depression. Although many
Religion s include meditative practice, it is not necessary to be a member of any faith to meditate.
is an old and largely abandoned treatment of severe depressions,
Psychoses ,
Catatonic States , and other
Mental Disorders . It consists of induction of
Hypoglycemic Coma by
Intravenous Infusion of
Insulin . The treatment is potentially unsafe and can be lethal in some cases (about 1% of patients undergoing
Insulin Coma ), even with proper monitoring. In contrast,
ECT is considered to be very safe.
Nevertheless, insulin shock therapy is still officially used in
Russia and some other countries and can be administered to a very treatment-resistant patient with written consent in many
Western Countries .
, also known as atropinic coma therapy, is an old and rarely used method. It consists of induction of
Atropinic Coma by rapid intravenous infusion of
Atropine .
Atropinic shock treatment is considered safe, but it entails prolonged coma (4-5 hours), with careful monitoring and preparation, and it has many unpleasant side effects, such as blurred vision. It can be used with written consent in Western countries in very treatment-resistant patients and is still officially used in Russia and some other countries.
''
Aspartame '' was associated with a significant difference in number and severity of symptoms for patients with a history of depression in an experiment
{Link without Title} .
Relapse is more likely if treatment has not resulted in full remission of symptoms.
4 In fact, current guidelines for antidepressant use recommend 4 to 6 months of continuing treatment after symptom resolution to prevent relapse.
Combined evidence from many
Randomized Controlled Trials indicates that continuing antidepressant medications after recovery substantially reduces (halves) the chances of relapse. This preventive effect probably lasts for at least the first 36 months of use.
12
Anecdotal evidence suggests that chronic disease is accompanied by relapses after prolonged treatment with antidepressants (
Tachyphylaxis ). Psychiatric texts suggest that physicians respond to relapses by increasing dosage, complementing the medication with a different class, or changing the medication class entirely. The reason for relapse in these cases is as poorly understood as the change in brain physiology induced by the medications themselves. Possible reasons may include aging of the brain or worsening of the condition. Most SSRI psychiatric medications were developed for short-term use (a year or less) but are widely prescribed for indefinite periods.
{Link without Title} \
High-stress employers are sometimes reluctant to consider hiring people with a history of depression, but not doing so could be seen as a form of
Illegal Discrimination . For instance, the US military standards do not allow more than six months of treatment for depression before someone becomes ineligible. However, a waiver is possible in some circumstances.
- Beck, A. T., Rush, A. J., Shaw, B. F., Emery, G. (1987). ''Cognitive therapy of depression''. New York: Guilford.
- Burns, David D. (1999). ''Feeling Good : The New Mood Therapy''. Avon.
- Klein, D. F., & Wender, P. H. (1993). ''Understanding depression: A complete guide to its diagnosis and treatment''. New York: Oxford University Press.
- Kramer, Peter D (2005). ''Against Depression''. New York: Viking Adult
- Plesman, J,(1986) Getting off the Hook , Sydney Australia. A self-help book available on the internet.
- Rowe, Dorothy (2003). ''Depression: The way out of your prison''. London: Brunner-Routledge.
- Sarbadhikari S. N. (2005).Ed, ''Depression and Dementia:Progress in Brain Research, Clinical Applications and Future Trends''. Hauppauge, Nova Science Publishers. {Link without Title} ISBN 1-59454-114-0
- Weissman, M. M., Markowitz, J. C., & Klerman, G. L. (2000). ''Comprehensive guide to interpersonal psychotherapy''. New York: Basic Books.
- Wurtzel, E. (1997) ''Prozac Nation: Young and Depressed in America: A Memoir.'' Riverhead Books. ISBN 1573225126
- Lewinsohn, P. M., Munoz, R. F, Youngren, M. A., Zeiss, A. M. (1992). ''Control your depression''. New York: Fireside/Simon&Schuster.
- Nesaule, Agate (1995). ''A Woman in Amber: Healing the Trauma of War and Exile'' New York: Penguin Books.
- : ISBN 1-56947-046-4 (hc.); 0 14 02.6190 7 (pbk.)
- Sealey, Robert (2002). ''Finding Care for Depression, Mental Episodes & Brain Disorders'', Toronto: Sear Publications www.searpubl.ca
- Shields, Brooke (2005). ''Down Came the Rain: My Journey Through Postpartum Depression''. Hyperion. ISBN 1401301894.
- Smith, Jeffery (2001). ''Where the roots reach for water: A personal and natural history of melancholia''. New York: North Point Press.
- Solomon, Andrew (2001). ''The noonday demon: An atlas of depression''. New York: Scribner.
- Styron, William (1992). ''Darkness visible: A memoir of madness''. New York: Vintage Books/Random House.
- Wolpert, Lewis (2001). ''Malignant sadness: The anatomy of depression''. London: Faber and Faber.
- Tolle, Eckhart (1999). ''The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment'', New World Library, October, 1999 ISBN 1577311523 (HC) ISBN 1577314808 (PB)
