There are times when we feel depressed or grief-stricken, the reasons for which could be numerous and varied. Depression might be a state of mind when it is very short-lived and comparatively harmless, but if unattended it can grow into a psychological disorder that will demand appropriate medical treatment. When a person cannot continue living a normal life with this disturbed state of mind, it is called chronic depression or even clinical depression.
What is Chronic Depression?
Chronic Depression is a psychological disorder marked by a state of intense sadness, or melancholia has reached to the point where it becomes disruptive to an individual's social functioning and/or activities of daily living.
Types of Chronic Depression
There are four types of chronic depression, which can be classified as follows:
Melancholic Depression
Melancholic depression is a type of depression that is characterized by the inability to find pleasure in positive things. It is often accompanied by physical agitation, insomnia, or even decreased appetite. It is seen that 10% of the people who suffer from chronic depression are diagnosed with Melancholic Depression.
Symptoms:Depression, accompanied by physical agitation, insomnia and loss of appetite.
Atypical Depression
This is a subtype of chronic depression that which differs from melancholic depression in the sense that the person suffering from atypical depression is able to experience improved mood in response to a positive event. Additionally, atypical depression is characterized by reversed vegetative symptoms which means over-eating and over-sleeping. Atypical depression is the most common type of depression. Almost 40% of the people suffering from depression are having an atypical depression.
Symptoms: Comfort eating, Hypersomnia, Leaden paralysis and a long lasting pattern of interpersonal rejection sensitivity
Psychotic Depression
This is the most severe form of depression. A person suffering from psychotic depression, experiences moments of delusional or paranoid being. Psychotic depression is also marked by audio-visual hallucinations and erratic behavior. Suicidal tendency is prevalent in this condition. The nature of psychotic depression has symptoms that are similar to another grave psychological disorder known as the Bipolar Disorder.
Symptoms: Suicidal thoughts, audio/visual hallucinations, aggression and frustration.
Post-natal Depression
Also known as postpartum depression, it is a condition seen in 5% to 25% of women after childbirth. Rarely there are cases where fathers also suffer from post-natal depression. The condition can persist from a few hours up to several days.
Symptoms: Sadness, hopelessness, low self-esteem, guilt, sleep disturbance, irritability, exhaustion, social withdrawal, emptiness and frustration.
Treatment - Coping with Chronic Depressions
Treatment for chronic depression differs from person to person since the treatment has to be customized to suit the patient's biological, psychological and social health factors and the severity of their condition.
Drug Therapy
Drug therapy involves use of anti-depressant drugs. The doctor may recommend a single drug or a combination of antidepressants to find the most effective option. This is because the response rates to the first agent administered can be as low as 50 %. As far as the results are considered, it can take as many as three to eight weeks after the drug therapy. Once on therapy, it is advised that patients should not to stop taking their medication suddenly. The medication should be taken regularly as prescribed, for at least four months to prevent chances of recurrence.
Psychotherapy
There are various forms of psychotherapies that help cure depression. Some of the beneficial therapies include the likes of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Supportive Therapy and Family Therapy. These psychotherapies can be delivered by a variety of mental health professionals like psychiatrists, psychologists or psychiatric nurses.
Electro-convulsive Therapy
This Therapy makes use of short and controlled electric currents to the brain, which is known to induce a brief artificial seizure. The patient is under general aesthesia during this treatment. However this is a rather controversial form of therapy and several advocacy groups are in opposition to its use.
Light Therapy
Light therapy involves exposing the patient to bright light. Normally, light from a fluorescent bulb is used at regular intervals and the therapy is usually administered in the morning.
In addition to the above-mentioned therapies there are several other modes for treatment of depression. Acupuncture, and Hypnosis has also been used successfully in many cases to treat various forms of chronic depression. In some cases, indulging in regular exercise also works as a powerful treatment for depression. Many a times it is also recommended that people suffering from depression should find interesting hobbies that can make them feel happier and more satisfied with themselves. Yoga combined with deep breathing exercises and meditation can be a very effective stress buster and hence can help fight depression.
Always remember that depression is an ailment of the mind, a healthy body with positive thoughts can help any person conquer it