an illness?
My sister in law: “Manic depression is an illness. Depression is
not, it is a symptom.”
Your thoughts on this please.
Thanks
3 Responses to “an illness?”
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My sister in law: “Manic depression is an illness. Depression is
not, it is a symptom.”
Your thoughts on this please.
Thanks
You must be logged in to post a comment.
January 31st, 2006 at 5:06 pm
In a message dated 2/25/2005 8:40:59 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
book_snail@… writes:
My sister in law: “Manic depression is an illness. Depression is
not, it is a symptom.”
Your thoughts on this please.
Thanks
I have to disagree with this statement. I strongly believe that depression
is an illness as well.It is an imbalance in serotonin levels, just as manic
depression is. What would depression be symptomatic of? Grief, perhaps, if it is
situational depression. But depression, without a known external cause, is
an illness, most definitely.
February 1st, 2006 at 6:16 am
Pardon my bluntness, but your sister-in-law is an idiot, or at best,
grossly misinformed. The medical community does not even use the term
“manic depression.” Bi-polar disorder is in the ballpark of what she
is referring to and it is only one of many kinds of depressive
disorders that affect nearly 20 million people in the United States.
25% of women and 10% of men in the U.S. will suffer a depressive
disorder (a disease) at sometime during their lives.
While depression can be a cause of other disorders and can be caused
by other medical conditions. depression is not a symptom: it is a
disorder.
The follow material is quoted from Dr. Allen Price’s book, “All About
Depression.” If your sister-in-law wants to express medical opinions,
she should get a degree or at least read the current literature. As
the saying goes: “It is better to be silent and thought a fool than
to speak and remove all doubt.”
What is Depression?
Clinical depression is more than just the “blues,” being “down in the
dumps,” or experiencing temporary feelings of sadness we all have from
time to time in our lives. It is a serious condition that affects a
person’s mind and body. It impacts all aspects of everyday life
including eating, sleeping, working, relationships, and how a person
thinks about himself/herself. People who are clinically depressed
cannot simply will themselves to feel better or just “snap out of it.”
If they do not receive appropriate treatment their symptoms can
continue for weeks, months, or years.
The good news is that very effective treatments are available to help
those who are depressed. However, only about one-third of those who
are depressed actually receive treatment. This is unfortunate since
upwards of 80-90% of those who do seek treatment can feel better
within just a few weeks. Many people do not seek treatment for
depression for a variety of reasons. Some believe that depression is
the result of a personal weakness or character flaw. This is simply
not true. Like diabetes, heart disease, or any other medical
condition, clinical depression is an illness that should be treated by
a mental health professional or physician. Another reason why many
people do not seek help for depression is that they simply do not
recognize the signs or symptoms that something may be wrong.
Depression affects approximately 19 million Americans, or 9.5% of the
population in any given one-year period. At some point in their lives,
10%-25% of women and 5%-12% of men will likely become clinically
depressed. In fact, it affects so many people that it is often
referred to as the “common cold” of mental illness. It is estimated
that depression exacts an economic cost of over $30 billion each year,
but the cost of human suffering cannot be measured. Depression not
only causes suffering to those who are depressed, but it also causes
great difficulty for their family and friends who often do not know
how to help.
Types of Depression
Major Depressive Disorder
This illness impairs a person’s ability to work, sleep, eat, and
function as he or she normally would. It keeps people from enjoying
activities that were once pleasurable, and causes them to think about
themselves and the world in negative ways. Major depression is often
disabling and may occur several times in a person’s lifetime.
Dysthymic Disorder
A milder yet more enduring type of major depression. People with
dysthymia may appear to be chronically mildly depressed to the point
that it seems to be a part of their personality. When a person finally
seeks treatment for dysthymia, it is not uncommon that he/she has
struggled with this condition for a number of years.
Bipolar Disorder
Also known as manic-depression or manic-depressive disorder. This
condition is characterized by mood that alternates between periods of
depression and periods of elation and excitable behavior known as
mania (see symptoms below). For people who have bipolar disorder, the
depressions can be severe and the mania can seriously impair one’s
normal judgment. When manic, a person is prone towards reckless and
inappropriate behavior such as engaging in wild spending sprees or
having promiscuous sex. He or she may not be able to realize the harm
of his/her behavior and may even lose touch with reality.
Cyclothymic Disorder
A milder yet more enduring type of bipolar disorder. A person’s mood
alternates between a less severe mania (known as hypomania) and a less
severe depression.
Mood Disorder Due to a General Medical Condition
Depression may be caused or precipitated by a known or unknown
physical medical condition such as hypothyroidism.
Substance-Induced Mood Disorder
Depression may be caused or precipitated by the use or abuse of
substances such as drugs, alcohol, medications, or toxins.
(For more information go to Diagnosis: Substance-Induced…)
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
This condition affects people during specific times or seasons of the
year. During the winter months individuals feel depressed and
lethargic, but during other months their moods may be normal.
Postpartum Depression
A rare form of depression occurring in women within approximately one
week to six months after giving birth to a child.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
This is an uncommon type of depression affecting a small percentage of
menstruating women. It is a cyclical condition in which women may feel
depressed and irritable for one or two weeks before their menstrual
period each month.
Symptoms of Depression
People who are depressed or manic may not experience all of the
following symptoms. Some will have many symptoms, others will have
just a few. The severity of the symptoms may also be different for
every person and even vary over time. If you are experiencing some of
these symptoms or if you have questions about whether you may be
depressed or manic, you should consult with your physician or a
qualified mental health professional. If you or someone you know is
considering suicide, or has made plans to do so, you should seek the
help of a mental health professional or physician immediately.
Sadness, anxiety, or “empty” feelings
Decreased energy, fatigue, being “slowed down”
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed,
including sex
Insomnia, oversleeping, or waking much earlier than usual
Loss of weight or appetite, or overeating and weight gain
Feelings of hopelessness and pessimism
Feelings of helplessness, guilt, and worthlessness
Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or remembering
Restlessness, irritability or excessive crying
Chronic aches and pains or physical problems that do not respond to treatment
Symptoms of Mania
Abnormal or excessive elation
Unusual irritability
Decreased need for sleep
Grandiose notions
Increased talking
Racing thoughts
Increased sexual desire
Markedly increased energy
Poor judgment
Inappropriate social behavior
source: National Institute of Health Publication No. 97-4266 and 99-3561
Causes of Depression
Unfortunately, it is not fully known what exactly causes clinical
depression. There are numerous theories about causes such as
biological and genetic factors, environmental influences, and
childhood or developmental events. However, it is generally believed
that clinical depression is most often caused by the influence of more
than just one or two factors. For instance, a person whose mother had
recurrent major depression may have inherited a vulnerability to
developing clinical depression (genetic influence). This combined with
how the person thinks about him- or herself (psychological influence)
in response to the stress of going through a divorce (environmental
influence), may put him or her at a greater risk for developing
depression than someone else who does not have such influences.
The causes of clinical depression are likely to be different for
different people. Sometimes a depressive episode can appear to come
out of nowhere at a time when everything seems to be going fine. Other
times, depression may be directly related to a significant event in
our lives such as losing a loved one, experiencing trauma, or battling
a chronic illness.
The “Causes” section of this site describes what is known or theorized
about the causes of clinical depression. Information is grouped within
categories: Biological Causes, Genetic Causes, Environmental Causes,
Psychological Causes, Medical Illness, and Other Causes.
Risk Factors for Depression
Related to the discussion of the causes of clinical depression is
something called, “risk factors.” Essentially, we are all at risk for
developing a depressive illness. People of all ages, races, and social
class can become clinically depressed. No one is completely immune to
this condition. However, it is important to know that the more common
illnesses of major depression and bipolar disorder do tend to affect
some groups of individuals more so than others. Some features of these
groups, when associated with the development of a depressive illness,
are known as “risk factors.”
Please remember that no one is predestined to develop clinical
depression. However, it can be very important to be aware of risk
factors so that those of us who may be vulnerable can educate
ourselves, be attentive to warning signs, and take steps towards
recognizing and preventing this illness.
Risk Factors For Major Depression-
Gender: In the United States, women are about as twice as likely as
men to be diagnosed and treated for major depression. Approximately
20-25% of women and 12% of men will experience a serious depression at
least once in their lifetimes. Among children, depression appears to
occur in equal numbers of girls and boys. However, as girls reach
adolescence, they tend to become more depressed than boys do. This
gender difference continues into older age.
There are several theories as to why more women than men are diagnosed
and treated for depression:
Women may be more likely than men to seek treatment. They may be more
willing to accept that they have emotional symptoms of depressed mood
and feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness.
Men may be less willing to acknowledge their emotional symptoms and
more apt to suppress their depression through the use of alcohol or
other substances. In such cases depression can be “masked,” or viewed
only as alcohol or drug dependency/abuse rather than as clinical
depression.
Women may tend to be under more stress than men. In today’s American
society women often have to manage a variety of conflicting roles.
They have many responsibilities and full schedules at home and work.
Women may be more prone to depression because of the possible effects
of hormones. Women have frequent changes in their hormone levels, from
their monthly menstrual cycles, to the time during and after
pregnancy, to menopause. Some women develop a depressive illness
around these events.
Marital factors: Women who are unhappily married, divorced, or
separated, have high rates of major depression. The rates are lower
for those who are happily married.
Age: While clinical depression usually occurs for the first time when
a person is between the ages of 20 and 50, people over the age of
65may be especially vulnerable.
Previous episode: If you have had major depression once before, your
chances of developing it again increase. According to some estimates,
approximately one-half of those who have developed depression will
experience it again.
Heredity: People who have relatives who have had clinical depression
have a greater chance of developing it themselves. Also, having a
close relative with bipolar disorder may increase a person’s chances
of developing major depression.
Risk Factors For Bipolar Disorder-
Bipolar disorder is diagnosed in equal numbers of men and women. It is
not known for sure why major depression seems to affect more women
than men while mania affects both equally. One reason may be that
mania, with its very conspicuous symptoms, is much more easily
recognized than depression. Depression may also go unrecognized in
men.
Previous episode: If you have had major mania once before, your
chances increase of developing it again. Most of those who have had an
episode of mania once will have a second.
Heredity: People who have relatives who have had bipolar disorder have
a greater chance of developing it themselves. Immediate relatives
(parents, siblings, children)of those with bipolar disorder are 8 to
18 times more likely to develop the condition than those not related
to people with bipolar disorder. Having a close relative with bipolar
disorder may also increase a person’s chances of developing major
depression.
Depression and…
Childhood Difficulties
People who become clinically depressed have generally experienced more
severe difficulties in childhood than those who do not become
depressed. These difficulties may include sexual or physical abuse, a
turbulent upbringing, separation from a parent, or mental illness in a
parent. Some researchers believe that a problematic childhood may
trigger an early-onset of depression (first episode occurs before age
20). The most significant event that seems to be related to clinical
depression is separation from or death of a parent before the age of
11.
It is not clear just how a difficult childhood can result in adult
depression, but there are a few theories. One theory suggests that
children who experience great unhappiness growing up have a harder
time adjusting to changes in their life such as adolescence and the
new roles of adulthood. Another theory is that these children may
either lack appropriate emotional development or they become
emotionally damaged making them vulnerable to developing depression.
Experiencing great difficulties as children, these individuals may be
more likely to have low self-esteem, feel powerless, and become
dependent on others to make them feel good about themselves. These
kinds of traits may increase a person’s susceptibility to depression.
Still another theory has to do with the developing brain of a young
child. Early experiences may affect the development of the limbic
system in the brain. If a child experiences great emotional distress,
this could affect his or her ability to adapt to new environments and
regulate emotions.
During World War II there were a number of children who were separated
from their mothers. It was noticed that these children became
depressed after going through several stages of grief. First, the
children cried strenuously for their mothers. Then the children became
very agitated. Afterwards, they became despondent and still. Lastly,
they became very withdrawn. This severe reaction to losing their
mothers is known as anaclitic depression. This same type of reaction
to separation has been observed in studies with monkeys. In these
studies, the monkeys secreted higher amounts of cortisol (a stress
hormone) during the earlier stages of grief. It was found that the
more cortisol that was released into the blood, the more intense the
monkey’s depression became later on. In approximately one-half of all
depressed humans there are high levels of cortisol in the blood.
(Back to the top)
Grief, Loss of a Loved One
Content is coming soon!. Read more…
(Back to the top)
Medical Conditions
We all are vulnerable to depression, but people with some serious or
chronic diseases may be at greater risk. It may also be true that
those who are depressed could be at greater risk for developing
certain medical conditions. Treatment for depression can help people
manage symptoms of both diseases and thereby improve the overall
quality of their lives.
Symptoms of depression may also signify the presence of a medical
condition, which once treated may alleviate the depressive symptoms. A
thorough medical evaluation by a physician is always an important part
of the diagnostic process. Read more…
(Back to the top)
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression is not really a separate mood disorder from
major depression or bipolar disorder. The word, “postpartum” is a
specifier used as additional diagnostic information to describe the
onset or occurrence of the depressive episode associated with major
depression or bipolar disorder.
Postpartum onset describes an uncommon depressive episode that begins
within four weeks of giving birth to a child and may affect up to 10%
of new mothers. It is very different than the “baby blues” that women
can experience usually 3-7 days after delivery. Many women with
postpartum depression may experience great anxiety, panic attacks,
spontaneous crying, difficulty sleeping, and a lack of interest in
their new child. A woman’s mood may fluctuate and seem inconsistent,
and there may even be the presence of psychotic features (delusions,
hallucinations). If this is the case, a woman should receive immediate
medical attention and hospitalization may be necessary. Whether or not
psychotic features are present, a woman may have suicidal thoughts,
continuous thoughts about violence towards her child, a difficulty
with concentration, and she may feel and appear to be quite agitated.
Read more…
(Back to the top)
Stress
There appears to be a complex relationship among stressful situations,
our mind and body’s reaction to stress, and the onset of clinical
depression. It is clear that some people develop depression after a
stressful event in their lives. Events such as the death of a loved
one, the loss of a job, or the end of a relationship are often
negative and traumatic and cause great stress for many people. Stress
can also occur as the result of a more positive event such as getting
married, moving to a new city, or starting a new job. It is not
uncommon for either positive or negative events to become a crisis
that precedes the development of clinical depression. Read more…
(Back to the top)
Trauma
Many times, people who become depressed report that a single traumatic
event happened just prior to their becoming depressed. Painful
experiences such as the death of a loved one, divorce, a medical
illness, or losing everything in a natural disaster may be so
impactful as to trigger clinical depression. Events like these take
away a sense of control and cause great emotional upheaval. Some
traumatic events may cause more distress for one person than for
another. For instance, a man who loses his wife to death may be more
prone to becoming clinically depressed than a woman who loses her
husband. This may be because the loss of a wife can lead to additional
losses for a man. He might lose contact with children and other family
members. He may also become more emotionally distressed and isolated
if he has difficulty reaching out to others. Women who lose their
husbands may be more willing to seek out emotional support.
A person’s recovery from depression may also be affected by traumatic
events. The more stress and difficulty a person experiences, the
longer a recovery from depression may take. For example, imagine a
depressed woman in an unhappy marriage who finally decides to file for
divorce. If the process becomes prolonged with disputes over finances
or custody of the children then her recovery from depression could be
slowed down greatly. On the other hand, if the same woman perceived
the divorce as something positive in her life, perhaps she was leaving
an abusive relationship, then she might have a more speedy recovery.
Workplace
Depression affects all aspects of life, including the workplace. Read
about The Effects of Depression in the Workplace and What to Do When
an Employee is Depressed: A Guide for Supervisors.
February 1st, 2006 at 9:08 am
Thank you Mike :o) you always know just the right words …..
sweet dreams,
Cathrine.