Psychiatric Disorders: Clinical Depression
Clinical depression
DESCRIPTION
Depression is one of the commonest psychiatric disorders. Depression ranges in seriousness from mild, temporary episodes of sadness to severe, persistent depression. Patients of depression often present with vague somatic symptoms or aches and pains in general clinical practice, for which no physical cause is found on assessment. Clinical depression is the more severe form of depression, also known as major depression or major depressive disorder. It isn't the same as depression caused by a loss, such as the death of a loved one, or a medical condition, such as a thyroid disorder. Depression in children is not uncommon, though the presentation may vary. The predominant mood is often irritable. Diagnosis is made on the …show more content…
• Ideas of insufficiency, inadequacy and worthlessness, unexplained ideas of guilt, death wishes, suicidal ideas, history of suicidal attempt.
• Disruption of social and occupational functioning.
• Symptoms should be present for a minimum period of 2 weeks for a diagnosis of depression to be made.
PRECAUTIONS/PREVENTION
Quitting smoking, Eating healthy foods, Exercising regularly, Maintaining a healthy weight.
Management of Depression
• Explain the nature of illness, consequences of untreated depression, suicidal risk, need for adequate doses for adequate duration, and other supportive measures.
• The therapeutic response takes time to appear but side effects may appear earlier.
Common side effects of tricyclic antidepressants are dry mouth, constipation, postural hypotension (giddiness), blurred vision, sweating, palpitation, tremors, delayed micturition, sedation, etc.
• Common side effects of SSRIs are agitation, headache, nausea or heartburn, tremors, delayed ejaculation and loss of appetite.
• Mirtazapine causes sedation, giddiness and increased appetites and weight gain.
• The drug may impair mental or physical abilities initially, avoid driving or
DESCRIPTION
Depression is one of the commonest psychiatric disorders. Depression ranges in seriousness from mild, temporary episodes of sadness to severe, persistent depression. Patients of depression often present with vague somatic symptoms or aches and pains in general clinical practice, for which no physical cause is found on assessment. Clinical depression is the more severe form of depression, also known as major depression or major depressive disorder. It isn't the same as depression caused by a loss, such as the death of a loved one, or a medical condition, such as a thyroid disorder. Depression in children is not uncommon, though the presentation may vary. The predominant mood is often irritable. Diagnosis is made on the …show more content…
• Ideas of insufficiency, inadequacy and worthlessness, unexplained ideas of guilt, death wishes, suicidal ideas, history of suicidal attempt.
• Disruption of social and occupational functioning.
• Symptoms should be present for a minimum period of 2 weeks for a diagnosis of depression to be made.
PRECAUTIONS/PREVENTION
Quitting smoking, Eating healthy foods, Exercising regularly, Maintaining a healthy weight.
Management of Depression
• Explain the nature of illness, consequences of untreated depression, suicidal risk, need for adequate doses for adequate duration, and other supportive measures.
• The therapeutic response takes time to appear but side effects may appear earlier.
Common side effects of tricyclic antidepressants are dry mouth, constipation, postural hypotension (giddiness), blurred vision, sweating, palpitation, tremors, delayed micturition, sedation, etc.
• Common side effects of SSRIs are agitation, headache, nausea or heartburn, tremors, delayed ejaculation and loss of appetite.
• Mirtazapine causes sedation, giddiness and increased appetites and weight gain.
• The drug may impair mental or physical abilities initially, avoid driving or