Know Someone Who is Dealing with Depression? A Complete Guide to the Right Help

S No.

do not index

ready to publish

backlinks

https://telegra.ph/5-Suggestions-To-Eliminate-Anxiety-And-Depression-05-06http://ttytcauke.vn/Default.aspx?tabid=120&ch=63013https://www.click4r.com/posts/g/4203508/postpartum-depression-what-future-and-new-moms-should-knowhttp://leekself89.jigsy.com/entries/general/Relationship-Reduce-Depression--How-A-Person-Deal-It-Willhttps://canvas.instructure.com/eportfolios/1170753/Home/Life_After_Divorce_For_Guys__3_Ways_To_Combat_Depressionhttps://raftbetty51.tumblr.com/post/683508861707124736/finding-natural-depression-treatmentshttps://rewardbow40.edublogs.org/2022/05/06/end-depression-pit-one-neural-pattern-with-other/https://uchatoo.com/post/497981_https-www-being-app-blog-know-someone-who-is-dealing-with-depression-a-complete.htmlhttps://diigo.com/0ogtbbhttp://b3.zcubes.com/v.aspx?mid=8187645https://blogfreely.net/frogfreon67/what-causes-teenage-depression-helping-your-teen-through-their-depressionhttps://pastelink.net/84zsvg8thttps://zenwriting.net/causeticket93/what-is-depression-and-exactly-how-can-it-be-possible-treatedhttps://squareblogs.net/indiagrey02/how-to-combat-your-depression-symptomshttps://writeablog.net/fibreflax97/how-getting-the-depression-cyclehttps://clamflax64.werite.net/post/2022/05/06/4-Tips-To-Treat-Depression-Without-Medication-Right-Nowhttps://racingdebtor74.bravejournal.net/post/2022/05/06/Depression-Daily-Ritual

content score ss

# of words

1069

publish date

Apr 8, 2022

Depression has become a household topic of discussion, especially in the uncertain times of the pandemic. We may or may not know what it is, its types, signs, or treatment options. But the chances are that we know or know of someone who, in high likelihood, is experiencing some form of depression or mental health issues.

In the U.S., from 1 in 10 people reporting depressive symptoms, the number rose to 4 in 10 reporting symptoms of anxiety and depression during the pandemic. The pandemic, followed by widespread and long-term lockdowns, shook our world, and most of us grieved our old lives. But depression is neither new in town nor one to leave at the end of the pandemic.

The focus on mental health has increased in recent times, which is why we are learning more about it. Let's try to uncover as much as we can about it and how we can offer the right help to someone who needs it.

What are the different types of clinical depression? 📋

Clinical Depression (aka Depressive Disorder) is a more medically appropriate umbrella term for depression, which can have multiple diagnoses based on the causes and symptoms. Brace yourselves, there’s a lot of information coming up.

1️⃣ Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

This is one of the most common types of depression and is also known as major depression or severe depression. It is caused by painful childhood experiences, stressful life events, the loss of a loved one, or prolonged stress in everyday life. It has severe symptoms which can also turn physical - being unable to get proper sleep or maintain a healthy appetite.

2️⃣ Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)

This is one of the other most common types of depression and is also known as mild depression. It is also caused by incidents similar to the ones mentioned for MDD. It has less severe symptoms that last for longer than those of MDD.

3️⃣ Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

This type of depression is becoming increasingly common and is also known as seasonal depression. It is caused by the change in seasons and the sudden disruption of routine and regular day-to-day life until the end of the season. It can also occur in the holiday season or after a vacation when there is a shift in routine.

4️⃣ Bipolar Disorder (BD)

This type of depressive disorder involves experiencing two extremes in cycles - feeling hyperactive and feeling depressed. It is caused by family history (a history of family members dealing with BD) or the experience of a major stressful event.

5️⃣ Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

This type of mental disorder is the severe form of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), which can affect and damage different aspects of life such as relationships, occupation, social, etc. It is linked to a woman's menstrual cycle and causes extreme mood swings and feelings of irritability.

6️⃣ Postpartum Depression (PPD)

This type of depression affects a new mother’s mental health after giving birth and is also known as 'child blues'. It is caused by changes in brain chemistry and complex hormonal changes in the body, which can have depression symptoms like mood swings, crying spells, insomnia, among more. It can last for a few months after the delivery.

7️⃣ Perinatal Depression (PND)

This type of depression usually begins during pregnancy and can last up to a year after delivery. Its symptoms of depression are more severe than PPD and are similar to those of MDD.

8️⃣ Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)

This type of depression occurs in adolescents, teenagers, and young adults between the ages of 10 and 17. Its symptoms include temper outbursts, constant anger, and irritability.

9️⃣ Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD)

This type of depression has similar symptoms to MDD but does not respond to traditional treatments and needs brain stimulation therapies such as Electroconvulsive Therapy, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, or Vagus Nerve Stimulation. These types of treatments pass electric or magnetic waves through the brain.

Depression, which is a type of mood disorder, generally also occurs with anxiety disorders, as feeling anxious is one of the core symptoms of most types of depression. Click here to know more about anxiety.

What are some common depression symptoms? 🚦

The depression symptoms of MDD are common in most of the other types mentioned above of depression. Here are a few:

🍲 Appetite changes that lead to weight gain or loss

😓 Having negative thoughts

😶 Loss of interest in activities

😴 Sleep cycle changes that lead to oversleeping or insomnia

🤒 Feeling hopeless, irritable, anxious, or restless

Remember that these signs and symptoms can be spotted when they are very unlike the person’s tendencies. These symptoms become negative coping mechanisms and worsen depression if they remain unchecked. There is a need for emotional support to reduce symptoms and relieve depression.

How to go about treating depression? 🩹

The first step before choosing the method of relieving depression symptoms is to consult a mental health professional who can diagnose the type of depression. If the symptoms of depression are on the milder end and do not interfere with your life, one can seek treatment on their own using alternative techniques.

🩺 Medically Available Treatments

🫂 Interpersonal Therapy: This type of talk therapy focuses on improving relationships, as it is an aspect that depression affects the most. Having supportive relationships and community care is one of the most healing approaches to depression.

🔐 Problem Solving Therapy: This type of talk therapy (which falls under the broader category of cognitive-behavioral therapy or CBT) focuses on building problem-solving coping mechanisms to overcome negative and overwhelming situations. It aims to build resilient behavioral and cognitive functions.

🍽️ Dietary Supplements & Antidepressants: This form of treatment needs prescription by a primary care doctor or psychiatrist to help boost mood and general well-being through a biochemical and biological approach.

🧘🏼‍♂️ Alternative Treatments

🫁 Progressive Muscle Relaxation Techniques (PMRT): These breathing exercises calm the mind and re-energize the brain by allowing more oxygen to reach it. You can find a list of PMRTs here.

🤳🏼 Mini Therapy: These bite-sized therapy sessions allow us to process a discomfort as and when we are experiencing it, on our own and when we need it the most.

⏰ Building a robust routine: Building a timetable can create predictability and small achievable challenges in our day. It also helps us feel in control and decide how we want to use our time and energy.