Depression

Depression Paper PSY/240 Depression is a very serious mood disorder that affects many people. Depression can cause long lasting and severe psychological pain. People who suffer from depression undergo a series of emotions and physical strains such as profound sadness, anger, lack of energy, bodily pain and low self worth; they also lose interest in life. Depression can be unipolar or bipolar. Unipolar depression is characterized as depression without a history of mania. Mania is a state of euphoria where a person feels that they are on top of the world. Bipolar depression is characterized as intertwined episodes of depression and mania. Unipolar depression can be caused by stress, a traumatic event in a person’s life like a loss of a loved one. Also, there are other factors that play a role in depression such as biochemical factors like an increased level of cortisol which is a stress hormone. Another biochemical factor can also be the absence of melatonin. “In addition there has been a link between a low level of norepinephrine and serotonin chemicals in the brains of people who suffer from depression. There is consideration that the endocrine system and hormones may play a role in the development of depression. Studies have also shown a link to genetic factors in the possibility of depression. Evidence shows that people are more likely to become depressed if relatives also have suffered from depression” (Stier, 2012). Bipolar depression features an onset of major depression with episodes of mania. Some of the factors that cause bipolar depression can include genetic factors, neurochemical factors, and environmental factors as well. A person can suffer from bipolar depression because of an inherent gene from their parent or sibling. The neurochemical factors that contribute to bipolar depression are disturbances within the brain and neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine. Environmental factors of bipolar depression include certain types of lifestyles such as drug or alcohol abuse can trigger manic episodes as well as depressive states. A traumatic life event can also deliberately ignite depression. There are certain symptoms that a person suffering from unipolar depression might exhibit that can differentiate unipolar depression from bipolar depression. Withdrawal from society, daily activities and family is a sign of unipolar depression. Apathetic emotional behavior is also another symptom of unipolar depression. Loss of appetite and difficulty in falling asleep are other symptoms of unipolar disorder. Lack of interest in life and suicidal thoughts are indicative signs of unipolar depression. Some of the symptoms of unipolar depression vary in their respective degrees of severity from patient to patient. Unlike unipolar depression bipolar depression has two different genres such as mania and depression. A person suffering from bipolar depression can experience intense feelings of sadness and at the opposite end can feel exaggeratedly happy. Some of the symptoms of bipolar depression can be distinguishable amongst unipolar depression symptoms because of the changes in moods and the cyclical onset of these symptoms. Inability to perform daily activities is an important distinction of what are normal emotions of life and bipolar depression. Symptoms of manic episodes include a decreased need from sleep, binge eating or loss of appetite, heightened or exaggerated self esteem, inability to focus or concentrate. On the other hand symptoms of a depressive phase are hopelessness, insomnia, lethargy, and loss of interest in life and pleasurable activities. Treatment for both unipolar depression and bipolar depression is available. Treating unipolar depression can be through medication such as antidepressants, psychotherapies, and electroconvulsive therapy (in severe cases). In some cases depending on the severity of the person’s depression hospitalization is needed to treat unipolar depression. There are three categories in which effective treatment of bipolar depression can be administered. “Acute treatment focuses on suppressing current symptoms and continues until remission, which occurs when the symptoms are diminished for a period of time. Continuation treatment prevents a return of symptoms from the same manic or depressive episode. Maintenance treatment prevents a recurrence of symptoms” (Bressert, 2012). Certain medications can be prescribed as treatment for bipolar depression such as mood stabilizing drugs or antipsychotics. Depression is a psychological mood disorder that if left untreated can lead to fatal consequences such as suicide. Both unipolar and bipolar depressions have different characteristics and are distinguishable in nature for their causes, symptoms, and treatment of each. Any person suffering with either disorder should seek help from a mental health professional. References: Stier, A. (2012). Yahoo Voices Unipolar & Bipolar Depression. Retrieved from http://voices.yahoo.com/unipolar-bipolar-depression-3919698.html Bressert, S. (1992-2012). Psych Central Treatment of Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression). Retrieved from http://psychcentral.com/lib/2007/treatment-of-bipolar-disorder-manic-depression/