User:Mr. Ibrahem/Depression (mood)
Medical condition / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Depression is a state of sadness and loss of interest in activities.[1][2] It can affect a person's thoughts, behavior, feelings, sleep, appetite, and sense of well-being.[1][2] Symptoms such as pain and digestive problems without a clear underlying cause may occur.[1] Complications may include suicide.[1]
Depression | |
---|---|
Lithograph of a man diagnosed with melancholia with strong suicidal tendency (1892) | |
Specialty | Psychiatry |
Symptoms | Sadness, irritability, loss of interest in activities[1][2] |
Complications | Suicide[1] |
Duration | > 2 weeks[1] |
Causes | Major depression, persistent depressive disorder, seasonal affective disorder, post partum depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, medical disorders[1][3] |
Risk factors | Death of a loved one, financial problems, relationship issues[2] |
Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms[2] |
Differential diagnosis | Sadness, chronic fatigue syndrome, hypoglycemia[2][4] |
Treatment | Counselling, medication, electroconvulsive therapy, hospitalization[2] |
Frequency | Common[1] |
The cause is believed to involve both genetic and environmental factors.[2] A family history of the condition increases the risk about 3 fold.[2] It occurs as part of a number of mental disorders including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, seasonal affective disorder, post partum depression, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.[1][3] It may also occur as a side effect of medication, from substance misuse, or as a result of a medical condition such as cancer, stroke, or chronic pain.[2][3] Episodes may be triggered by the death of a loved one, financial problems, or relationship issues.[2]
Diagnosis is based on symptoms and examination.[2] By definition symptoms must be present every day, nearly all day, for at least two weeks.[1] Blood tests and medical imaging may be done to rule out an underlying medical cause.[2] Conditions that may present similarly include sadness.[4]
Treatment may involve counselling and medication.[2] Hospitalization may be required in those at risk of suicide.[2] Electroconvulsive therapy may be done in those who do not respond to other measures.[2] Relapses are common after treatment.[2] Depression is common.[1] In a given year about 7% of people experience major depression.[2] Young adults are more commonly affected as are females.[2]