Depressive Illness

    2. Low energy/tiredness, morning dullness which reduces as the day progresses.   

    3. Insomnia or reduced sleep, early wakening with difficulty in going back to sleep.

    Excessive sleep could also occur in some people with depression.

    4. Negative Thoughts – Like Low Confidence, Ideas of worthlessness, Self-blame, Guilt. Pessimism,              Helplessness and Hopelessness. In more severe depression a feeling that life is not worth living                      anymore, death wish and suicidal ideas.

    5. Lack of libido and impotence

    6. Most People tend to ignore the emotional and mental suffering and are more aware of bodily                        symptoms. Headache is the most common symptom, body aches, low back pain are common too.              Chest pain, abdominal pain, constipation are also symptoms complained of.

    7. Auditory Hallucinations – Hearing noises, Voices which are sometimes abusive, derogatory and                threatening.

 

The depression could be mild, moderate or severe in its degree. It could affect a person’s occupational and social functioning adversely. In more severe depression the risk of suicide is there. In fact, Depressive illness is known to be the most common cause of suicide.

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What are the Causes of Depression?

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When the Depression is mild and where stress or Psychological Factors are responsible for the change in the mood state the outlook is good, people respond very soon to treatment.

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In other cases, one sees that the person’s failure to cope is not due to lack of skills or resources and it is largely biological or medical. Most people respond well to a combination of Medication and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT).

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Depression could be Unipolar or part of a Bipolar illness. Depression is one of the most common medical illnesses – 20 % of the general population are likely to suffer in their lifetime from an episode of depression.