Depression: An Overview
Ilana Rauch
Issue date: 2/26/09 Section: Features
If a person has even one episode like this in their life that is not caused by some external factor such as drugs, alcohol, or head injury, it can be assumed that the person has bipolar disorder and a depressive episode will follow it at some point.
A person suffering from hypomania will experience a milder form of the symptoms described in the manic episode, and may have a version of bipolar that psychiatrists call Type II Bipolar.
Some of those who suffer from a form of major depression that is minor and chronic are characterized as having dysthymia. Described as a slow, low-level type of pervasive misery, the term comes from the Greek phrase for "bad mood". It was originally believed to be a personality disorder and untreatable by means of medication, but it has since been proven that a combination of psychotherapy and antidepressants elicit positive responses in dysthymia patients. An individual with dysthymia will periodically have sleep problems and general moodiness and misery, and is much more prone to have their dysthymia confounded with major depression. Psychotherapy is useful as it allows the brain to rewire itself, as the patient understands the relationship between feelings and reality.
Post-partum depression is the form of the depressive disorders that doctors seem to know least about, although it is believed to be triggered by the strong release of hormones that occurs after birth, and may be more common among those who are more prone to other forms of depressive disorders for other reasons. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, depression is common among pregnant women and new mothers; 13% of the demographic suffer from the condition. However, the symptoms of post-partum depression last longer and are more severe than "baby blues", and can begin anytime within the first year after childbirth. It is similar to bipolar disorder in that it can be as severe and frightening. Women who suffer from post-partum depression sometimes hallucinate, and are at risk of feeling suicidal. Unfortunately, some mothers are even at risk of harming their newborn child. Symptoms can also include not having any interest in the baby, or thoughts of the mother harming herself or the baby. Treatment involves treating the symptom, as the larger umbrella cause is not fully understood. Where appropriate, the patient will receive an anti-depressant or anti-hallucinogenic as long as the symptoms persist.
A person suffering from hypomania will experience a milder form of the symptoms described in the manic episode, and may have a version of bipolar that psychiatrists call Type II Bipolar.
Some of those who suffer from a form of major depression that is minor and chronic are characterized as having dysthymia. Described as a slow, low-level type of pervasive misery, the term comes from the Greek phrase for "bad mood". It was originally believed to be a personality disorder and untreatable by means of medication, but it has since been proven that a combination of psychotherapy and antidepressants elicit positive responses in dysthymia patients. An individual with dysthymia will periodically have sleep problems and general moodiness and misery, and is much more prone to have their dysthymia confounded with major depression. Psychotherapy is useful as it allows the brain to rewire itself, as the patient understands the relationship between feelings and reality.
Post-partum depression is the form of the depressive disorders that doctors seem to know least about, although it is believed to be triggered by the strong release of hormones that occurs after birth, and may be more common among those who are more prone to other forms of depressive disorders for other reasons. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, depression is common among pregnant women and new mothers; 13% of the demographic suffer from the condition. However, the symptoms of post-partum depression last longer and are more severe than "baby blues", and can begin anytime within the first year after childbirth. It is similar to bipolar disorder in that it can be as severe and frightening. Women who suffer from post-partum depression sometimes hallucinate, and are at risk of feeling suicidal. Unfortunately, some mothers are even at risk of harming their newborn child. Symptoms can also include not having any interest in the baby, or thoughts of the mother harming herself or the baby. Treatment involves treating the symptom, as the larger umbrella cause is not fully understood. Where appropriate, the patient will receive an anti-depressant or anti-hallucinogenic as long as the symptoms persist.
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