- DEPRESSION/Dysphoria (Uni-Polar Disorder) & Anxiety (description and effects) Introduction:
Depression (suffering from "Uni-polar Disorder", or Dysphoria) is a quite common, persistent
pervasive, somewhat enigmatic, complex mood disorder that is quite common. First, let's kind
of clarify the terminology. [1] Major depression, also known as unipolar or major depressive
disorder, is characterized by a persistent feeling of sadness or a lack of interest in outside stimuli.
The unipolar connotes a difference between major depression and bipolar depression,
which refers to an oscillating state between depression and mania. [2] Dysphoria (from Greek:
meaning "difficult to bear". It is a profound state of unease or dissatisfaction. In a psychiatric
context, dysphoria may accompany depression, anxiety, or agitation. To grasp a fuller
understanding of what all is (or can be) involved, I am presenting this in two parts: an
Introduction (this page) and Causes and "treatment" on a separate page.
Because of the complexity, it is a much-misunderstood, and hence enigmatic state of being,
with the result (generally), that due to the misunderstanding, it is generally not known exactly
what causes, or triggers depression. Because of this, often a large number of things that are
possible/probable causes are not considered, and taken into account, resulting in "treatment"
and assistance that too often address the wrong possible "causes". The reality is, as with many
mental/emotional reactions, that a variety of factors may, or will be involved.
Depression - Is not just a temporary or situational sadness; it is persistent and pervasive.
Depression may be the cause of a daily, unrelenting headache that peaks in the morning and
late afternoon. It is often accompanied by a complication of migraines. People with chronic
pain syndromes are often markedly depressed.
Similar to the manifestations on the Anxiety spectrum, Depression is a Reaction, also called a
mood "disorder"/reaction to life circumstances (see Causes/Treatment) in the majority of cases.
Depression permeates and affects virtually everything in life: how you feel, think and behave,
and generally leads to a variety of emotional, mental and physical problems. You may have
trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn't worth
living. It is more than just a bout of the blues: depression isn't a weakness, and you can't
simply"snap out" of it. Depression may require long-term treatment. But don't get discouraged.
Most people with depression will feel better with medication, counselling, or both.
Depression:
* Is described differently by people who experience it. * Is a common condition
("normal" - as a reaction) - and treatable.
* Is not what in everyday language refers to as “depression” which describes any short-term
downturn in mood that may be relatively brief and perhaps due to something relatively trivial.
Depression persists! * Has symptoms that prevent a person from leading a normal life.
* In many ways depression resembles the grief and mourning that follow bereavement, there are
often feelings of low self esteem, guilt and self-reproach, withdrawal from interpersonal contact
and physical symptoms such as eating and sleep disturbances (see below).
* Depression ranges from normal feelings of the blues to major depression (types of depression
include: major depression, bipolar depression, dysthymia (persistent mild depression), and
seasonal depression (seasonal affective disorder – S.A.D.).
* Depression can also be experienced in other disorders, such as bipolar disorder
(formerly known as manic-depressive disorder).
Affective (Feelings/Emotions - emotional symptoms):
* Persistent feelings of "emptiness" or sadness.
* Feeling hopeless, helpless, worthless, and/or guilty.
* Substance abuse.
* Fatigue or loss of interest in ordinary activities, including sex.
* Change in eating and sleeping patterns (too much OR too little). * Irritability, increased crying,
anxiety and panic attacks.
* Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions. *Thoughts of suicide;
suicide plans, or attempts.
*Persistent physical symptoms or pains that do not respond to treatment.
* Decreased energy (on edge),
* Reduced motivation.
* Reduced self-care (grooming, dressing, etc).
* Reduced desire for social activities (time with friends etc).
* frequent episodes of absence from place of employment.
* Disturbance in eating or sleep habits, trouble falling asleep or staying asleep (mind and
thoughts go into hyper-speed), or sleeping excessively.
* feelings of apathy and anxiety (more below).
* lack of emotional expression, and of motivation.
* feelings of guilt (especially inappropriate guilt), and/or self-blame.
Text continues below picture.
- Depression/Uni-Polar Dysphoria:
RECAP
Cognitive (Mental/Intellectual) Symptoms;
- Problems with concentration, memory, and decision-making;
- generally negative self-evaluations and guilt;
- hopelessness; delusions and hallucinations only in severe cases.
- Lack of self-worth (worthlessness), and a pessimistic sense of inadequacy
- Diminished, or loss of, interest or pleasure in nearly all things.
Interpersonal/Social Symptoms;
- General difficulties in interpersonal situations.
- Reduced desire for social activities (time with friends etc);
- social withdrawal.
Biological/Physical Symptoms: reduction of the functional activity of
the body, such as:
- Decreased sexual interests - disturbances of sexual function.
- Persistent physical symptoms or pains that do not respond to treatment.
- poor appetite or weight loss (or gain), anorexia
- sleep disturbances, insomnia or hypersomnia (waking early or late)
- constipation.
- Fatigue and loss of energy (and motivation)
- physical symptoms such as slow movement and speech.
Psycho-Motor Symptoms;
- Psychomotor refers to the origination of movement as a conscious mental
- Psychomotor retardation – generally "slow" behavior; psychomotor
Self-Care Symptoms;
- reduced self-care; decrease in personal hygiene; decrease in meeting basic
responsibilities.
- DEPRESSION:
The depressed child may pretend to be sick, refuse to go to school, cling to a parent,
or worry that the parent may die.
- Older children may sulk, get into trouble at school, be negative, grouchy,
and feel misunderstood. - Because normal behaviors vary from one childhood stage to another, it can be
difficult to tell whether a child is just going through a temporary "phase" or
is suffering from depression. - Sometimes the parents become worried about how the child's behavior has
changed, or a teacher mentions that "your child doesn't seem to be himself." - In such a case, if a visit to doctor rules out physical symptoms, the doctor
will probably suggest that the child be evaluated by a professional who
specializes in the treatment of children.
Disphoria in the Elderly
Some people think that it is normal for the elderly to feel depressed. It is not - most
older people feel satisfied with their lives.
- Often, when depression develops, it may be dismissed as a normal part of
- When he or she does go to the doctor, the symptoms described are usually
lessness, sadness, loss of interest in normally pleasurable activities, or
extremely prolonged grief after a loss.
- Depressive symptoms in older people are often missed.
- Doctors recognize that some symptoms may be side effects of medication the
co-occurring illness.
Does Depression progress in severity as one gets older?
This is difficult to determine: On the one hand it can appear that it does; but on the
other hand, it could also be the case that because depression persists, it has become
almost a deeply ingrained "habit". Depression is difficult to counter - it takes a lot of
self-motivation and will-power - and depression generally makes both of those difficult:
not impossible, but difficult. When someone has given up - stopped motivating them-
selves (still waiting for the medications to do all th work) it will continue and deepen.
This can be reversed at any time, by taking the necessary steps to reduce the
depression (see Causes & Treatment of Depression)
Dysphoria in Women
Women experience depression about twice as often as men
- Many hormonal factors may contribute to the increased rate of depression in
women-particularly such factors as menstrual cycle changes, pregnancy,
miscarriage, postpartum period, pre-menopause, and menopause. - Many women also face additional stresses such as responsibilities both at work
- A recent NIMH study showed that in the case of severe premenstrual syndrome
mood and physical symptoms when their sex hormones were suppressed.
Shortly after the hormones were re-introduced, they again developed symptoms
of PMS. Women without a history of PMS reported no effects of the hormonal
manipulation.
- Many women are also particularly vulnerable after the birth of a baby. The
can be factors that lead to postpartum depression in some women.
- While transient "blues" are common in new mothers, a full-blown depressive
episode is not a normal occurrence and requires active intervention.
Dysphoria in Men
Although men are less likely to suffer from depression than women, millions of men are
affected by the illness.
- Men are less likely to admit to depression, and doctors are less likely to suspect it.
- The rate of suicide in men is four times that of women, though more women
attempt it. - In fact, after age 70, the rate of men's suicide rises, reaching a peak after age 85.
Depression can also affect the physical health in men differently from women:
although depression is associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease
in both men and women, only men suffer a high death rate.
- Men's depression is often masked by alcohol or drugs, or by the socially
- Depression typically shows up in men not as feeling hopeless and helpless, but as
being irritable, angry, and discouraged; hence, depression may be difficult to
recognize as such in men. - Even if a man realizes that he is depressed, he may be less willing than a woman
- Encouragement and support from concerned family members can make
- In the workplace, employee assistance professional or work-site mental health
as a real issue that needs treatment.
Klaas Tuinman
Dawn Cove Abbey
Deerfield, (Yarmouth County) Nova Scotia, Canada - 2008 rev: 2019
| Depression-Dysphoria: Uni-Polar Debilitating Disorder The Chaos and How it manifests: Sign and Symptoms |
To read the Causes and Treatment of
Depression, click/tap the icon > > >
Depression, click/tap the icon > > >
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| _________________________________________ Klaas Tuinman M.A. Life Self-Empowerment Facilitation at Dawn Cove Abbey Comments and Questions are welcomed |