Depression Types

November 8th, 2008 Posted in Anxiety and Depression

Depression is complex. Depression can fester and get worse over a long period of time without being noticed . Researches know that depression will afflict 15 million people in the USA annually.  It is also estimated that less than a third will actually seek some form of treatment for their affliction.  Often the sufferers don’t even know they’re sick.  It is normal in this day in age to fall prey to the stress that rules our lives. It’s more difficult to navigate the obstacles in life.  Hand to mouth survival is common.  Trouble in the economy has made it more difficult than ever to keep a good job.  Stress leads to depression. 

There are a lot of types of depression.  Many of the labels are similar in meaning. There is mental depression, medical depression, clinical depression and manic depression.  Late stages of the disease are called severe depression.  Depression can result from a variety of causes.  There are those that believe it is biological, that chemical imbalances in the brain lead us to depression.  DNA also carries depression.  Those with family histories of depression are at risk.

Different types of depression are given birth by other similar factors.  Substance abuse can lead to depression.  Alcohol or drugs both show links to depression.  Depression is more likely after a close person dies.  Mental depression has taken a bad rap down through history.  It was considered a personal fault before it was recognized as a disease.  As a result treatment wasn’t applied in a way that could help the patient.  Negative effects persist through all the stages of depression.  That’s why early detection is vital to treatment.

Once the disease has progressed to severe depression the illness must be treated.  Suicide often takes place in this final phase.  The calls for help have gone unnoticed and the avenues for hope are slipping away.   Treatments include a combination of talk therapy and prescription drugs.  Support groups can also help.  Natural herbs have also been found to work.  Help is out there no matter the type of depression.  If lingering signs of depression exist then please seek help.