Major Depression: Are you Bluer than Blue?
Know the tell-tale signs of a major depression
Know the tell-tale signs of a major depression
By: Randy Dellosa, MD
Published: March 12, 2013
All of us, at one time or another, get the blues.
When we experience a disappointment, a
frustration, or a loss, it is only natural that we
feel low and down in the dumps. After some
time passes, we are able to recover from the
sad thoughts or feelings and we are able to
set them aside in order to focus on our tasks
at hand.
The difference between normal sadness and
major depression is that normal sadness is
often fleeting and can be shrugged off easily.
Major depression, on the other hand, is
characterized by a lingering emotional
heaviness and by symptoms which can
disturb the routines of daily living.
The symptoms of major depression include
the following:
@ changes in the sleep pattern,
@ changes in appetite,
@ decreased energy level,
@ decreased self-confidence and self-worth,
@ a pessimistic mindset full of worries, fears,
and concerns,
@ poor concentration,
@ loss of motivation and zest for living,
@ lingering feelings of sadness and irritability,
and
@ possibly even thoughts of death or suicide.
Major depression is caused by a serotonin
imbalance in the brain. Serotonin is a brain
chemical which is highly associated with
mood changes. This serotonin imbalance
in the brain may be triggered by a number
of factors such as emotional problems,
psychological trauma, medical conditions
such as hypothyroidism, medicines such as
hormonal pills and anti-hypertensives, and
alcoholism or marijuana use. Moreover,
there is strong evidence that major
depression is transmitted through the
genes.
While people can snap out of normal sadness,
depressed people will not be able to snap out
of major depression. Again, we have to
remember that major depression is caused by
a chemical imbalance in the brain and thus,
telling depressed people to snap out of their
depression is like telling diabetic patients to
snap out of their diabetes.
The good news about major depression is
treatable and that it is quite easy to treat. The
treatment package of major depression
should include anti-depressant medication,
psychotherapy, stress management
techniques, and wellness therapies.
With the right anti-depressant at the right
dosage, the patient should experience
significant improvement within two to three
weeks. Ideally, the patient should not also
experience any side-effects such as
headaches, stomach upset, palpitations,
allergies, loss of appetite, emotional
numbness, etc.
Psychotherapy is an important part of the
treatment plan because it is often emotional
problems or psychological trauma that trigger
the onset of major depression. Through
psychotherapy, the patient is given the
opportunity to ventilate bothersome feelings
or release pent-up emotions. The patient’s
caregivers (family members and friends)
may also need psychotherapy since the
patient’s negative mood is often contagious.
With regards to stress management
techniques and wellness therapies, the
patient can try acupuncture, massage,
meditation, qigong, yoga, or other types of
exercise. Omega-3 fish oil at one capgel two
to three times a day may also be helpful.
The herbal supplement St John’s Wort is
considered an anti-depressant medication
and should not be combined with synthetic
anti-depressants.
If you feel depressed, don’t delay getting
treatment. Consult a psychiatrist now! Don’t
waste your life feeling “bluer than blue.”
What you deserve is to experience and enjoy
the richness of life in all its bright colors!
When we experience a disappointment, a
frustration, or a loss, it is only natural that we
feel low and down in the dumps. After some
time passes, we are able to recover from the
sad thoughts or feelings and we are able to
set them aside in order to focus on our tasks
at hand.
The difference between normal sadness and
major depression is that normal sadness is
often fleeting and can be shrugged off easily.
Major depression, on the other hand, is
characterized by a lingering emotional
heaviness and by symptoms which can
disturb the routines of daily living.
The symptoms of major depression include
the following:
@ changes in the sleep pattern,
@ changes in appetite,
@ decreased energy level,
@ decreased self-confidence and self-worth,
@ a pessimistic mindset full of worries, fears,
and concerns,
@ poor concentration,
@ loss of motivation and zest for living,
@ lingering feelings of sadness and irritability,
and
@ possibly even thoughts of death or suicide.
Major depression is caused by a serotonin
imbalance in the brain. Serotonin is a brain
chemical which is highly associated with
mood changes. This serotonin imbalance
in the brain may be triggered by a number
of factors such as emotional problems,
psychological trauma, medical conditions
such as hypothyroidism, medicines such as
hormonal pills and anti-hypertensives, and
alcoholism or marijuana use. Moreover,
there is strong evidence that major
depression is transmitted through the
genes.
While people can snap out of normal sadness,
depressed people will not be able to snap out
of major depression. Again, we have to
remember that major depression is caused by
a chemical imbalance in the brain and thus,
telling depressed people to snap out of their
depression is like telling diabetic patients to
snap out of their diabetes.
The good news about major depression is
treatable and that it is quite easy to treat. The
treatment package of major depression
should include anti-depressant medication,
psychotherapy, stress management
techniques, and wellness therapies.
With the right anti-depressant at the right
dosage, the patient should experience
significant improvement within two to three
weeks. Ideally, the patient should not also
experience any side-effects such as
headaches, stomach upset, palpitations,
allergies, loss of appetite, emotional
numbness, etc.
Psychotherapy is an important part of the
treatment plan because it is often emotional
problems or psychological trauma that trigger
the onset of major depression. Through
psychotherapy, the patient is given the
opportunity to ventilate bothersome feelings
or release pent-up emotions. The patient’s
caregivers (family members and friends)
may also need psychotherapy since the
patient’s negative mood is often contagious.
With regards to stress management
techniques and wellness therapies, the
patient can try acupuncture, massage,
meditation, qigong, yoga, or other types of
exercise. Omega-3 fish oil at one capgel two
to three times a day may also be helpful.
The herbal supplement St John’s Wort is
considered an anti-depressant medication
and should not be combined with synthetic
anti-depressants.
If you feel depressed, don’t delay getting
treatment. Consult a psychiatrist now! Don’t
waste your life feeling “bluer than blue.”
What you deserve is to experience and enjoy
the richness of life in all its bright colors!
Holistic Healing for You by Randy Dellosa, MD
Dr. Randy Dellosa or "Doc Randy," is the life
coach-psychotherapist of Filipino celebrities.
He is the first and so far the only Filipino who
is both a psychiatrist (M.D.) and a doctor of
clinical psychology (Psy.D.)
coach-psychotherapist of Filipino celebrities.
He is the first and so far the only Filipino who
is both a psychiatrist (M.D.) and a doctor of
clinical psychology (Psy.D.)
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