HOW TO TACKLE UNIPOLAR DEPRESSION?
HOW TO TACKLE UNIPOLAR DEPRESSION?
Depression is a very commonly used term to describe disappointment, temporary periods of feeling low and mild psychological upsets by a large majority. In mental health, depression is a disorder with many manifestations.
Unipolar depression is predicated to become the second most prevalent illness by 2020. This type of depression is also described as Endogenous depression, Major depression or Major affecting disorder. It could be precipitated by a minor stress or may not be proceeded by any cause. In some earlier study across many countries including India conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) diagnos-able mental illnesses were found to be present in 20-30 percent of patients visiting primary care doctors (general practitioner or any primary health doctor). Depression was detected to be the highest prevalent among them.
What are the symptoms and signs of Unipolar Depression?
1. I cannot concentrate: This could be one of the earliest signals. Individual finds it very difficult to go through even the headline or a newspaper, takes longer to read a page in a book or concentrate on his favourite activities which he could execute comfortably earlier. This time, errors and delays in work are commonly noticed.
2. Why am I irritable ? : Irritability is also an early feature. Small errors by close friends or members of the family provokes disproportionate reactions.When this change of behaviour is pointed out the person does acknowledge it as wrong but expresses helplessness and inability to rectify it.
3. I am awake much before the sun rises: If one is awake much before his schedule wake up time and cannot sleep further in spite of all normal efforts it could mean that he / she is heading for an episode of depression. Early morning insomnia is a characteristic feature of this illness. Bad dreams may be associated such as that of blood, death, accident etc.
4. My house is new but still I don't feel good / nice: An anticipated pleasure which is associated with a desirable change refuses to cause any excitement which in normal circumstances should result in feeling good.
5. Put off the TV and leave me alone: This is a common quote one hears from a depressive and is also one of the earliest manifestations. Inability to tolerate dayto day noise such as that of the TV, Children playing etc surprises every one around.
6. I am bored and lazy, I feel like bunking:Difficulty in getting off the bed, to work. Laziness in the morning which at times improves as the day progresses is a signal of depression. Sloppiness, untidiness not caused due to physical illness; can be announcements of an impending episode of depression.
7. I am not interested: Lack of interest in normal pastime activities like seeing a movie, playing sports, talking to friends etc is an early sign of depressive blues.
8. I am not hungry as before : Hunger for food is less and even favourite dish does not stimulate the palate in the absence of any physical cause. Only rarely could over eating be an early signal.
9. I don't get turned on : Appetite and interest in sexual activities decreases very early in depression.
All these above symptoms may be seen in normal people as well but then they are transient and temporary. If it persists beyond two weeks and are associated with other features described later, one can make a diagnosis of depression.
Depression is a very commonly used term to describe disappointment, temporary periods of feeling low and mild psychological upsets by a large majority. In mental health, depression is a disorder with many manifestations.
Unipolar depression is predicated to become the second most prevalent illness by 2020. This type of depression is also described as Endogenous depression, Major depression or Major affecting disorder. It could be precipitated by a minor stress or may not be proceeded by any cause. In some earlier study across many countries including India conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) diagnos-able mental illnesses were found to be present in 20-30 percent of patients visiting primary care doctors (general practitioner or any primary health doctor). Depression was detected to be the highest prevalent among them.
What are the symptoms and signs of Unipolar Depression?
1. I cannot concentrate: This could be one of the earliest signals. Individual finds it very difficult to go through even the headline or a newspaper, takes longer to read a page in a book or concentrate on his favourite activities which he could execute comfortably earlier. This time, errors and delays in work are commonly noticed.
2. Why am I irritable ? : Irritability is also an early feature. Small errors by close friends or members of the family provokes disproportionate reactions.When this change of behaviour is pointed out the person does acknowledge it as wrong but expresses helplessness and inability to rectify it.
3. I am awake much before the sun rises: If one is awake much before his schedule wake up time and cannot sleep further in spite of all normal efforts it could mean that he / she is heading for an episode of depression. Early morning insomnia is a characteristic feature of this illness. Bad dreams may be associated such as that of blood, death, accident etc.
4. My house is new but still I don't feel good / nice: An anticipated pleasure which is associated with a desirable change refuses to cause any excitement which in normal circumstances should result in feeling good.
5. Put off the TV and leave me alone: This is a common quote one hears from a depressive and is also one of the earliest manifestations. Inability to tolerate dayto day noise such as that of the TV, Children playing etc surprises every one around.
6. I am bored and lazy, I feel like bunking:Difficulty in getting off the bed, to work. Laziness in the morning which at times improves as the day progresses is a signal of depression. Sloppiness, untidiness not caused due to physical illness; can be announcements of an impending episode of depression.
7. I am not interested: Lack of interest in normal pastime activities like seeing a movie, playing sports, talking to friends etc is an early sign of depressive blues.
8. I am not hungry as before : Hunger for food is less and even favourite dish does not stimulate the palate in the absence of any physical cause. Only rarely could over eating be an early signal.
9. I don't get turned on : Appetite and interest in sexual activities decreases very early in depression.
All these above symptoms may be seen in normal people as well but then they are transient and temporary. If it persists beyond two weeks and are associated with other features described later, one can make a diagnosis of depression.
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