Unipolar depression is also known as clinical depression or major depression. Individuals with clinical depression experience sadness that interrupts their life for a lengthy period. Depression can be categorized as mild, moderate, or severe, and is important in how a clinician approaches treatment. Although major depression usually lasts for longer than 6 months, if symptoms occur for at least 2 weeks, then the patient is typically diagnosed with major depression.
Persons with depression often express similar symptoms; however, most importantly, clinicians consider changes in the individual’s usual behavior. Symptoms of depression include the following:
• Change in sleep (either more than usual or difficulty with falling and remaining asleep)
• Change in appetite (either weight gain or loss)
• Difficulty with focusing and concentration
• Anger and irritability
• Less energy than usual
• Decreased pleasure from usual activities
• Hopeless feelings
• Self hatred and guilty feelings
• Preoccupation with death or suicide
Researchers believe that depression may be hereditary; however, an event usually triggers its onset. This can be a death of a relative or friend, or divorce. Even with no event, depression can occur. Sometimes individuals who suffer from a chronic illness will experience depression, such as chronic pain. In addition, some medical conditions, like cancer or hypothyroidism, can cause depression. Other triggers include drug or alcohol addiction, unmanaged stress, abuse, and dietary deficiencies.
Some individuals may experience depression only once in their lifetime. For others, it is a chronic problem. Depressed individuals typically behave somewhat normally. In generally, they do not exhibit odd behaviors such as hallucinations.
Individuals with bipolar disorder (manic depression) experience extremes in moods that swing from mania or hypomania to depression. The term bipolar represents the two opposite ends of both extremes. Researchers do not yet know what causes bipolar disorder. However, they think that it is due to a chemical imbalance in the mood regulation portion of the brain.
Bipolar patients often refer to the mania phase as the “high” of the illness. During this phase, individuals are overly excited. They may be impulsive and hyperactive. They tend to engage in behavior that is out of control. Some spend money that they do not have or become sexually promiscuous. They exercise poor judgment. Also during this phase, individuals may have endless energy, requiring little sleep. Another symptom of the mania phase is an exaggerated sense of self. They often take on too much activity, considering themselves capable of accomplishing anything. Bipolar patients are easily sidetracked, unable to focus on one task or conversation. They are often irritable and have poor control of their temper. Some individuals do not have outright mania but rather experience hypomania. With hypomania, patients have similar symptoms as mania, but just not as extreme. The mania phase of this condition can last days or months.
The depression cycle is similar to that of major clinical depression. Patients are debilitatingly sad, oftentimes accompanied with anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Bipolar patients often refer to this phase as the “low.”
The signs of bipolar disorder often begin during the teenage years or young adulthood. This illness is a lifelong illness, and maintenance therapy is necessary. If left untreated, the symptoms tend to become worse and more evident over time.
