Most of the people who feel low and depressed are given a lot of advice by friends and relatives. It is automatically assumed that these feelings of low energy / low mood are just a matter of time and would get better if the individual made a little effort to feel good and happy.
Persistence of such feelings of lethargy / low energy / low mood despite all this indicates that the person may be suffering from clinical depression. Following are the features that a depressed individual experiences.
Biological features (duration - 15 day or more)
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Decreased sleep--- the person gets up very early in the morning say, at 3 am & can't sleep again. Frequent awakenings. Poor quality of sleep.
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Decreased appetite/ weight
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Dryness of mouth
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Constipation
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Reversed diurnal variation - everybody feels better in the morning but a depressed patient feels worst in morning & slightly better in noon to evening.
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Generalized body ache - lot of poorly localized pains and aches like headaches, abdominal pains.
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Easily fatigued & lethargic.
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Panic features like palpitations and sweating.
Psychological features
I. Sadness of mood
II. Decreased pleasure & interest in activities which they enjoyed previously
III. Decreased attention, forgetfulness, like forgets where he/ she has kept things.
IV. Easily irritated
V. MOST IMPORTANTLY, OCCASIONALLY NO WISH TO LIVE.
BAD NEWS IS THAT THIS CONDITION CAN BE FATAL. 40% OF ALL SUICIDES REPORTED ARE IN PEOPLE WITH DEPRESSION.
GOOD NEWS IS, IT IS EASILY DIAGNOSABLE & EASILY TREATABLE.
What are the treatments available for depression?
A number of medicines are available suitable to different Patients. Broadly these are termed as Anti Depressants. These drugs remain the mainstay of therapy for depression.
There are certain important things to be kept in mind regarding anti depressant use:
- ADEQUATE DOSE, FOR ADEQUATE DURATION IS THE CARDINAL RULE.
- SOMETIMES SMALL DOSES FOR LESS DURATION IS GIVEN BY NON SPECIALISTS It leads to incomplete recovery with frequent relapses.
- Antidepressants are NOT sleeping pills.
- THEY ARE NOT HABIT FORMING.
DID YOU KNOW THAT A NERVE IMPULSE TRAVELS ALONG A
NURVE FIBER AT A SPEED OF
220 MILES AN HOUR.
With this video DVD, you will learn:
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What is Depression
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Diagnosis for Depression
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What Causes Symptoms
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Symptoms Like:
- Loss of Interest
- Feeling sad or blue Nearly Everyday
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What goes on inside the Body
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What Professionals you may deal with
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The Brain & Neurons
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The Nervous System
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Nurotransmitters
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what a CAT SCAN can show
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Prepare for how your life may change
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Options of Treatment
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DID YOU KNOW THAT CRYING CAN ACTUALLY MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER?
TEARS CONTAIN ENDORPHINS - A CHEMICAL RELEASED BY THE BRAINTHAT CAUSE ELEVATED MOOD
ALSO YOU WILL LEARN:
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF THE BODY SYSTEMS INVOLVED
LEARN ABOUT PSYCHOTHERAPY
COGNITIVE THERAPY
GROUP THERAPY
TREATMENT TOOLS
MEDICATIONS USED
SOME SIDE EFFECTS
ISSUES THAT MAY ARISE
TYPES OF MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
FAMILY & FRIENDS INVOLVEMENT IN ASSESSMENT & TREATMENT
TREATMENT APPROACHES
RELAXATION TECHNIQUES
OTHER USEFUL TIPS
LEARN ABOUT INVOLVED ISSUES, & HAVE THEM DISCUSSED
HOW TO APPROACH SUICIDAL THOUGHTS
EXERCISE & DEPRESSION
LIGHT & DEPRESSION
SUBSTANCE ABUSE & DEPRESSION
ALSO INCLUDED:
LIVE TESTIMONY FROM THOSE AFFECTED BY DEPRESSION
LIVE TESTIMONY FROM HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS