DEPRESSION AND BIPOLAR DISORDER

Depression

Chronic depression is not merely a case of "having the blues". All of us have experienced intense feelings of unhappiness at some point in our lives. For those with clinical depression however, these feelings occur on a regular basis and are extremely difficult to get rid of. Feelings of sadness and hopelessness are a constant struggle for those who suffer from this devastating condition. Fortunately, depression is one of the most treatable forms of mental illness and treatments for those with the condition are readily available.

Depression Facts and Statistics

Severe depression is one of the most common forms of mental illness. Roughly 18.8 million Americans-about 9.5% of the U.S. population-will experience a major depressive disorder within any given year.

15% of all people with a depressive disorder will commit suicide.

80% of all people with a depressive disorder are not currently seeking treatment.

41% of all women with depression are too embarrassed to seek treatment for their illness.

54% of all people think depression is a personal character flaw instead of a severe mental illness.

Studies have shown that depression is a significant contributor to fatal coronary disease, which is likely to be the second largest killer by 2020.

Everyone, at some point in their lives, will be affected by depression---either their own or someone else's.

Depression FAQ

Who is more likely to get depression--men or women?

Studies have shown that women are twice as likely as men to suffer from depression.

What causes depression?

Several factors have been known to contribute significantly to the onset of depression. The two most common causes of depression are experiential and physiological. Experiential causes include any sort of negative or traumatic events in a patient's life, which usually occur during childhood. Experiential causes may include family conflict, divorce, family violence, criticism, bullying, poverty, racism, or physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Physiological causes may include disruptions in brain development, and structural problems in the brain.

What are some common symptoms of depression?

-Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and pessimism

-Changes in diet and sleeping patterns

-Thoughts of death and suicide

-Loss of interest in former pursuits

-Lack of energy or motivation

-Indecisiveness and an inability to concentrate

-Feelings of guilt or worthlessness

-Persistent physical symptoms (headaches, stomachaches, digestive problems) that remain unaffected by treatment.

-What are some effective treatment for depression?

Psychotherapy and medications have proven effective in the treatment of depressive disorders. For more information, click on a link below.

What's the difference between depression and bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder (formerly known as manic-depression) is very similar to depression, with the most significant difference being the existence of manic symptoms concurrent with symptoms of depression. For more information on bipolar disorder, see below.

Bipolar disorder (formerly known as manic-depression) is a mood disorder characterized by abrupt shifts between states of deep depression and extreme euphoria. A person with bipolar disorder experience a cycle of mood shifts that alternate between extreme highs (mania) and extreme lows (depression). Some common symptoms of mania include:

-Excessive feelings of joy and euphoria

-Severe restlessness and irritability

-Rapid thoughts and speech

-Inability to concentrate

-Increased sex drive

-Lack of sleep

-Increased substance abuse

-Financial irresponsibility

-Unrealistic goals or beliefs in one's abilities

-Disturbing and irrational behavior

-Denial that there is a problem

Manic episodes are diagnosed when the patient experiences three or more of the characteristic symptoms over a period of one week or more.

Common symptoms of depression:

-A prolonged period of sadness or anxiety

-Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and hopelessness

-An increasingly pessimistic outlook

-Loss of interest in former pursuits

-Lack of energy and motivation

-Changes in diet and sleeping patterns

-Chronic bodily pains not caused by any apparent injury or illness

-Inability to concentrate or make decisions

-Frequent thoughts of death and suicide

-Depressive episodes are diagnosed if the patient experiences five or more of these symptoms over a period of two weeks or more.

Other Aspects of Bipolar Disorder

Hypomania

Hypomania is a similar but less severe form of mania that usually lasts for at least four days.

Mixed Episodes

In mixed episodes, the patient experiences symptoms of both mania and depression simultaneously for at least one week. These episodes are severely disabling, and are the greatest contributor to bipolar suicides.

Links

DEPRESSION SCREENINGS

Depression Screening Test-1 (Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology - QIDS)

Depression Screening Test-2 (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale - CES-D)

BIPOLAR SCREENING

Bipolar Disorder Screening (Goldberg Bipolar Spectrum Screening Questionnaire)

DEPRESSION INFORMATION  

National Institute of Mental Health - Depression

Mental Health America - Depression Factsheets

Campus Blues

Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)

National Foundation for Depressive Illness

BIPOLAR DISORDER INFORMATION

National Institute of Mental Health - Bipolar Disorder

Mental Health America - Bipolar Disorder Factsheets

Bipolar Disorder - Peer to Peer Support

Bipolar News

Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation

Juvenile Bipolar Research Foundation