Depression

Did you know over 15 Million Americans suffer from depression? Depression comes in three types: "Seasonal Affective Disorder" (SAD), Dysthmia, and Bi-Polar Disorder. Depression affects the body, mood and thoughts. This illness not only affects the one who suffers from it, but also those around them by interfering with daily life and normal functioning. People suffering from depression are three times more likely of experiencing a cardiac event. Depression affects the entire body, including the immune system (resulting in long term effects) and higher rates of diabetes and osteoporosis. All types of depression, from the weakest to the strongest, are treatable; and of course, like most other illnesses, the sooner the treatment begins, the more effective and greater the likelihood that a recurrence can be prevented. Appropriate treatment starts with a physical examination; Certain medical medications, as well as some medical conditions such as viral infection or thyroid disorder can cause the same symptoms as depression. When examining, the doctor should ask about any alcohol or drug use, and if the patient has thoughts about death and suicide. Once diagnosed, the patient can begin treatment, most common forms of treatment are medication and psychotherapy.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that follows the seasons, the most common follows the winter season. This is called winter depression, it begins in late fall or early winter and normal mood returns by summer. Now on the opposite, least common type is summer depression, when one's depression begins in late spring or early summer. Changes in daylight have been known to contribute to this disorder. Dysthmia is just as common as major depression which affects about 6% of the US Population and affects twice as many women as men.

Dysthmia is a serious and disabling disorder that shares many symptoms with other clinical forms of depression. Generally, it is experienced as a less severe, but more chronic form of major depression.

    Characterization:

• depressed mood (most of time for 2 years)
• along with at  least 2 of the following
• insomnia
• excessive sleep
• low energy
• fatigue
• low self-esteem
• poor appetite
• over eating
• poor concentration
• indecisiveness
• feeling of hopelessness

Symptoms such as Anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure), Psychomotor symptoms (particularly lethargy or agitation), and thoughts of death or suicide, are often absent in Dysthmia.
Double Major Depressive Disorder is when one suffers from Dysthmia whilst experiencing at least one episode of major depression. Therefore, Dysthmia can occur alone or in conjunction with other mood or psychiatric disorders.

Bi-Polar Disorder is also known as Manic-Depressive Illness. This causes unusual changes in mood, energy, and ability to function. Symptoms are severe, which means the "ups and downs" are not normal; symptoms have been found to cause damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. About 5.7 million (2.6%) of American adults have this disorder. Symptoms have been seen to surface anywhere between childhood and adulthood. People may suffer for years before they are properly diagnosed and treated; it is a long-term illness that requires careful management throughout the person's life. Dramatic mood swings can go from high and/or irritable to sad and hopeless, then back again with periods of normal mood in between; changes also occur in energy and behavior. These changes of highs and lows are known as Episodes of Mania and Depression.

Symptoms:

• Persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood
• Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex
• Decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down"
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
• Insomnia, early morning awakening or oversleeping
• Appetite and/or weight loss, or overeating and weight gain
• Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts
• Restlessness, irritability
• Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders and chronic pain

 Being from Alaska where the seasons are more like two than four, Seasonal Affective Disorder affects many people, mostly during the winter months. Many people go into a deep depression due to the vast amount of darkness during the winter. People complain about the darkness during the winter, but then in the summer, some can't handle the light and no darkness, so they put "black out shades" in their windows to shield the light from peeking in. For future reference, try to get outside as much as you can when it is light outside (usually the middle of the day), so you don't get caught by the darkness. The reason to go out at around lunch time is because when you go to work/school, the sun will just be rising (if not rising, it will be risen by the time school/work begins) or when you come home from work/school, the sun will already begin to set.