Chapter 1 : Depression

Topics covered in this snack-sized chapter:



Depression arrow_upward


  • Depression is probably the most common psychological disorder and the one that receives the most attention.
  • Depression is a psychological disorder that affects a person's mood, physical functions and social interactions.
  • Depression makes a person feel sad, hopeless, worthless, pessimistic and guilty.
  • Often the sufferer has:
    • Difficulty in concentrating and making decisions.
    • Loss of appetite and weight or a weight gain.
    • Difficulty in sleeping.
    • Lack of energy.
  • Depression must be taken seriously because of the high rate of suicide attempts associated with it.

    • Myths about Depression arrow_upward


  • The following are myths about depression and its treatment:
    • It is a weakness rather than an illness.
    • If the sufferer just tries hard enough, it will go away.
    • If you ignore depression in yourself, it will go away.
    • Highly intelligent or highly accomplished people do not get depressed.
    • People with developmental disabilities do not get depressed.
    • People with depression are "crazy."
    • Depression does not really exist.
    • Children, teens, the elderly or men do not get depressed.
    • There are ethnic groups for whom depression does not occur.
    • Depression cannot look like (present as) irritability.
    • People who tell someone they are thinking about committing suicide are only trying to get attention and would never do it, especially if they have talked about it before.
    • People with depression cannot have another mental or medical condition at the same time.
    • Psychiatric medications are all addicting.
    • Psychiatric medications are never necessary to treat depression.
    • Medication is the only effective treatment for depression.
    • Children and teens should never be given antidepressant medication.

    Types of Depression arrow_upward


  • There are five types of Depression:
    • Atypical Depression
    • Psychotic Depression
    • Dysthymia
    • Manic Depression
    • Major Depression

    Atypical Depression

  • Atypical Depression is a variation of depression that is slightly different from major depression.
  • Atypical Depression is defined by the ability to feel better temporarily in response to a positive life event.
  • The sufferer is sometimes able to experience happiness and moments of elation.
  • People who suffer from atypical depression believe that outside events control their mood (i.e. success, attention and praise).
  • Episodes of atypical depression can last for months or a sufferer may live with it forever.

    • Psychotic Depression:

  • Sufferers of Psychotic Depression begin to hear and see imaginary things, sounds, voices and visuals that do not exist.
  • Psychotic depression occurs when a severe depressive illness has a co-existing form of psychosis.
  • These are referred to as hallucinations, which are generally more common with someone suffering from schizophrenia.
  • The hallucinations are not "positive" like they are with a manic depressive.
  • The sufferer of psychotic depression imagines frightening and negative sounds and images.

    • Dysthymia:

  • Many people just walk around seeming depressed: simply sad, blue or melancholic. They have been this way all of their lives.
  • Dysthymia is a chronic type of depression in which a person's moods are regularly low.
  • This is Dysthymia: a condition that people are not even aware of but just live with daily.
  • They go through life feeling unimportant, dissatisfied, frightened and simply don't enjoy their lives.
  • Medication is beneficial for this type of depression.

    • Manic Depression:

  • Manic Depression can be defined as an emotional disorder characterized by changing mood shifts from depression to mania which can sometimes be quite rapid.
  • People who suffer from manic depression have an extremely high rate of suicide.

    • Major Depression:

  • Major Depression is probably one of the most common forms of depression.
  • The sufferer seems to walk around with the weight of the world on his or her shoulders.
  • He or she seems disinterested in becoming involved in regular activities and seems convinced that he or she will always be in this hopeless state.
  • There is a lack of interest in sexual activity and in appetite.

    • Symptoms of Depression arrow_upward


  • Depression symptoms include:
    • Feelings of sadness or unhappiness.
    • Irritability or frustration, even over small matters.
    • Loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities.
    • Reduced sex drive.
    • Insomnia or excessive sleeping.
    • Changes in appetite: Depression often causes decreased appetite and weight loss, but in some people it causes increased cravings for food and weight gain.
    • Agitation or restlessness:  For example, pacing, hand-wringing or an inability to sit still.
    • Irritability or angry outbursts.
    • Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements.
    • Indecisiveness, distractibility and decreased concentration.
    • Fatigue, tiredness and loss of energy: Even small tasks may seem to require a lot of effort.
    • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or blaming yourself when things aren't going right.
    • Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things.
    • Frequent thoughts of death, dying or suicide.
    • Crying spells for no apparent reason.
    • Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches.

    Causes of Depression arrow_upward


  • There are a number of factors that may increase the chance of depression, including the following:
    • Abuse: Past physical, sexual, or emotional abuse can cause depression later in life.
    • Certain medications: For example, some drugs used to treat high blood pressure, such as beta-blockers or reserpine, can increase your risk of depression.
    • Conflict: Depression may result from personal conflicts or disputes with family members or friends.
    • Death or a loss: Sadness or grief from the death or loss of a loved one, though natural, can also increase the risk of depression.
    • Genetics: A family history of depression may increase the risk. It's thought that depression is passed genetically from one generation to the next. The exact way this happens, though, is not known.
    • Major events: Even good events such as starting a new job, graduating or getting married can lead to depression. So can moving, losing a job or income, getting divorced or retiring.
    • Other personal problems: Problems such as social isolation due to other mental illnesses or being cast out of a family or social group can lead to depression.
    • Serious illnesses: Sometimes depression co-exists with a major illness or is a reaction to the illness.
    • Substance abuse: Nearly 30% of people with substance abuse problems also have major or clinical depression.

    Diagnosis arrow_upward


  • Unfortunately, there's no brain scan or blood test that can be used to diagnose when a person has a depressive illness.
  • The diagnosis can only be made from the symptoms.


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