Depression

Overview

Depression is a mood disorder where people feel depressed or unhappy every now and then. It is one of the most common disorders and is frequently confused with other health conditions.

Signs and Symptoms

Feeling of helplessness or hopelessness, Feeling of guilt or worthlessness, Easily irritable, Sleeping problems, Loss of interest in things, Poor appetite, Fatigue, Physical problems like headache, Difficulty in making decisions and concentrating, Frequent suicidal thoughts or self harm

Common Causes

Biological changes in the brain affecting functions of neurotransmitters, Hormonal changes following pregnancy or thyroid issues, Family history of depression or other mental health disorders, Recreational drug and alcohol abuse

Risk Factors

Certain personality traits such as low self-esteem and sensitive to personal criticism, Family history of depression or other mental health disorders, Low socioeconomic status, History of other mental health disorders, Traumatic and stressful events in life, Serious medical illnesses such as cancer or chronic pain, Recreational drug and alcohol abuse

Investigation Techniques

Medical history, Physical examination to look for underlying physical health conditions that may cause depression, Full blood count and thyroid function tests, Psychiatric evaluation involving questionnaires such as patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Beck's Depression Inventory to evaluate patient's thoughts and feelings

Treatment and Prevention

Treat underlying medical conditions, Medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI), tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI), atypical antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilisers, Psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy and interpersonal therapy, Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)

Psychological Issues

Suicidal thoughts, Hallucinations