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AN INFORMATIONAL GUIDE
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Depression is a common illness suffered by many individuals in the United States. However, many people do not seek treatment due to a lack of information regarding different treatmetn options. This page is dedicated to inform individuals regarding diagnosis, medical treatment, herbal treatment, and different styles of talk therapy that may help the individual to kick depression out of their lives.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF DEPRESSION AND THEIR SYMPTOMS: The following is borrowed from the DSM-IV, (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) a common tool used to diagnos depression. Please don't use this information to diagnos yourself. If you are worried that you meet criteria for depression please consult your a physician.
MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER:
A. Five or more of the following symptoms have been present during the same two week period and represent a change from previous functioning; at least one of the symptoms is either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure.
1-)depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day as indicated by subjective report or observation made by others (e.g. appears tearful). NOTE: In children and adolescents, can be irratable mood.
2-)Diminished interest or pleasuer in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly everyday (as indicated by subjective account or observation made by others).
3-) Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain (e.g. change of more than 5% of body weight in a month), or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day. NOTE: In children, consider failure to make expected weight gains.
4-) Insomnia or Hypersomnia (over sleeping) nearly every day.
5-) psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or or being slowed down).
6-) Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.
7-) Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (which may be delusional) nearly every day.
8-) Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day (either by subjective accoutnt or as observed by others).
9-) Recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying)recurrent suicidal ideation with out a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide.
Note: These symptoms should cause significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. These symptoms should not be due to the direct cause of a substance (e.g. drug abuse or medication)or a general medical condition. These symptoms should not be accounted for by bereavement, i.e., after the loss of a loved one. Symptoms should persist for longer than 2 months or are characterized by significant functional impairment, morbid preoccupation with worthlessness, suicidal ideation, psychotic symptoms, or psychomotor retardation. If you feel like you meet these criteria please consult a physician for specific treatment options.
DYSTHYMIC DISORDER:
A. Depressed mood for most of the day, for more days than not, as indicated by either subjective account or observation by others, for at least 2 years. NOTE: In children and adolescents, mood may be irratable and duration must be at least one year.
B. Presence, while depressed, of two (or more) of the following:
1-) poor appetite or overeating
2-) insomnia or hypersomnia (over sleeping).
3-) low energy or fatigue
4-) low self-esteem
5-) poor concentration or difficulty making decisions
6-) feelings of hopelessness.
C.) During the two year period (1 year for children or adolescents) of disturbance, the person has never been without the symptoms in criteria A and B for more than 2 months at a time.
D. No Major Depressive Episode has been present during the first two years of the disturbance.
E. There has never been a manic episode, mixed episode, or a hypomanic episode and criteria have never been met for Cyclothymic disorder.
F.
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