What Is depression?
Depression is characterized by a persistent disruption in mood with simultaneous interruptions in the person’s thoughts, behaviors, and everyday functioning. To be diagnosed as a disorder, it must disrupt social functioning in major areas like work, school and family life.
How common?
Between 5% and 15% of Americans suffer from major depression at any given time. The course of the disorder does not appear to vary by gender.
What Causes Depression?
Although genetic factors may make one person more prone to depression than another, environmental events might interact with genes, shaping the way they affect brain function, making the brain more sensitive,
Genetic vulnerability, Psychological vulnerability, stressful life events, unique stress reaction, cognitive factors, interpersonal effects and social demands.
Key mediator includes loneliness, and difficulty maintaining positive self-esteem.
Key concepts----- Depression can inhibit the immune system, and relate to chronic pain, pessimistic thought pattern, withdrawn and quiet, significant weight gain or weight loss, lack of sleep, heavy feelings in arms and legs.
Treatment
Excluding organic reasons: vitamin D deficiency, Hypothyroidism, lack of sleep.
Self-care plan for depression : Structure of the day, support system, positive thinking, daily exercise, knowing and following the person’s value system.
Behavioral therapy: listing pleasant events and increasing them on a daily basis, rating mood during events at the beginning and the end of the day, conducting training on social skills, assertiveness training and problem solving.
Cognitive Behavioral therapy: awareness and challenging irrational thoughts.
Medication