Depression is not exactly the same
In people’s minds, depression is depression and low emotion. He or she is happy to lie in bed, has no interest in daily life, and spends the day looking sad and moping.
Dr. Karla Ivankovich, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Illinois, believes that although depressed people experience these symptoms, they do so to varying degrees, some light, some heavy, and some aggressive.
He said, “Early studies have found that millennials are the ones who are at high risk for depression, don’t want to go to work and are often absent from work. They develop mental disorders that have their own psychological problems and environmental factors.”
According to the World Health Organization, depression is essentially a mental health psychiatric epidemic. According to surveys, more than 350,000,000 people worldwide suffer from depression. It affects one’s ability to take care of oneself, in addition to other risks such as alcoholism, eating disorders, panic attacks or anxiety.
But how is depression detected? What kinds of depression are there?
First of all, the most common symptoms of depression are not just feeling depressed and demoralized. There are nine other symptoms that produce depressed mood, loss of hobbies (such as running, swimming), and doing something embarrassing and ugly. However, these symptoms are not taken seriously, and do not go to the hospital in time.
① Loss of hope in life and a deep sense of helplessness.
② Loss of interest in anything, even though some hobbies have brought happiness to you.
③ Feeling exhausted and lethargic.
④ Sudden gaining weight or sudden loss of weight.
⑤ Drowsiness or insomnia.
(6) Feeling guilty and having a sense of guilt.
(7) Difficulty concentrating and memory difficulties.
(8) Thoughts of death or suicide; sometimes physical discomfort (e.g., headache, muscle pain), but hospital tests do not reveal any problems.
⑨ Avoiding society, not wanting to work, not making friends.
If any of the above symptoms appear for more than two weeks, you should seek medical attention immediately.
Classification of depression
The manifestations of depressive symptoms vary. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) classifies depression into the following three main categories: major depression, persistent depression, and bipolar disorder. Mental health practitioners generally make a diagnosis based on this manual.
1. Major depressive episode (single and recurrent episodes)
In major depressive disorder, five of these symptoms must occur within a two-week period. Ivankovic says: “At the very least, there is a depressed mood, lack of interest in things, and a feeling of bitterness. In addition, the ability to take care of oneself in life decreases.” Although postpartum depression is not technically included in the DSM-V as a physical illness, psychiatrists include it as a psychosomatic illness.
2.Splitting mood disorder
A mood disorder is the inexplicable repeated outbursts of temper. Although “the intensity or duration of the outburst varies,” says Ivankovich. For example, something as simple as breaking a glass or an unintentional remark by a friend can trigger a tantrum. Ivankovich says, “Such an event is noteworthy when it happens on average more than three times a week for a year.”
3. Persistent depression (psychotic depression)
”Persistent” is the key word here, says Ivankovich. This depression is low mood most of the time, but lasts for a long time, at least two years.
4. Premenstrual anxiety disorder (PMDD)
Most women are aware of the cyclical discomfort that occurs before menstruation and produces changes in mood and behavior (premenstrual syndrome “PMS”), but premenstrual anxiety disorder (PMDD) is a more serious symptom. Ivankovich says that its appearance is related to multiple factors of mood (such as impatience, tension, and apprehension).
5. Substance abuse induces depression
Substance abuse and certain drugs such as taking corticosteroids and interferons cause depressive disorders.
6.Disease-induced depression
Some diseases such as chronic pain and cancer can induce depression. Ivankovich says, “Despite the appearance of disruption of normal activities, medical examination again did not reveal a mental disorder. Therefore, medical diagnosis is not associated with depression.”
7. atypical symptoms depression
Sometimes the disorder is not in the DSM
For example, there are individuals with symptoms similar to those of major depressive disorder, but who present with only three symptoms over a two-week period, rather than five. Even though the symptoms don’t meet the conditions in the catalog, doctors should then examine them in detail and in depth, Ivankovich said.
8. DSM off-catalog depression
If a depressed mood affects the quality of life but does not exactly fit any of the DSM types, doctors can still confirm if you have depression based on the symptoms.
9.Bipolar disorder 1 and bipolar disorder 2
Bipolar disorder is characterized by alternating depression and dryness. Depressive mood is the important symptom. Ivankovich said, “There is a shift from dryness and mild mania to depression.” Paranoia usually lasts seven days and depression lasts two weeks.
The difference between bipolar disorder 1 and bipolar disorder 2 is that bipolar disorder 2 does not have manic episodes, but only “mild mania.” Bipolar 1 patients with severe manic episodes must be taken to a doctor for treatment.
Depression is sometimes insidious and should be noted. Ivankovich says, “Society generally believes that the best thing to do is to try to prevent him or her from committing suicide. Psychological illness is also an illness, and it can be devastating. Treatment should not be delayed.”