Depression is a common and serious mental disorder characterized by depressed mood, loss of interest, feelings of guilt and low self-worth, and poor concentration. It is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Depression can be reliably diagnosed and treated, although currently less than 25% of those affected have access to effective treatments. Treatment options include antidepressant medications like SSRIs and psychotherapy.

1. DEPRESSION
By: SATHISH Rajamani,
Lecturer

3. What is Depression?
Everyone occasionally feels blue or
sad. But these feelings are usually
short-lived and pass within a
couple of days. When you have
depression, it interferes with daily
life and causes pain for both you
and those who care about you.
Depression is a common but
serious illness.

4. DEFINITION
• Depression is a common mental
disorder that presents with
depressed mood, loss of interest
or pleasure, feelings of guilt or
low self-worth, disturbed sleep or
appetite, low energy, and poor
concentration.

5. • Depression is the leading cause of
disability as measured and the
4th leading contributor to the global
burden of disease (DALYs) in 2000. By
the year 2020, depression is projected
to reach 2nd place of the ranking of
DALYs calculated for all ages, both
sexes. Today, depression is already
the 2nd cause of DALYs in the age
category 15-44 years for both sexes
combined.

6. PREVALENECE
• Depression occurs in persons of all
genders, ages, and backgrounds.
• Facts
• Depression is common, affecting
about 121 million people
worldwide.
• Depression is among the leading
causes of disability worldwide.
• Depression can be reliably
diagnosed and treated in primary
care.
• Fewer than 25 % of those affected
have access to effective
treatments.
•

7. What are the different forms of
depression?
There are several forms of depressive disorders.
1. Major depressive disorder, or major
depression
2. Dysthymic disorder, or dysthymia
3. Minor depression
• Psychotic depression,
• Postpartum depression
• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
4. Bipolar disorder

9. Signs And Symptoms Of
Depression
 Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty"
feelings
 Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
 Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or
helplessness
 Irritability, restlessness
 Loss of interest in activities or hobbies
once pleasurable, including sex
 Fatigue and decreased energy

10. S&S Cont….
 Difficulty concentrating, remembering
details, and making decisions
 Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or
excessive sleeping
 Overeating, or appetite loss
 Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts
 Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or
digestive problems that do not ease even
with treatment.

11. ?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Panic disorder
social phobia
Generalized anxiety disorder
Depression also may occur with other serious
medical illnesses such as heart disease, stroke,
cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and Parkinson's
disease

12. CAUSES OF DEPRESSION
1. Genetic or Hereditary
2. Biological / Biochemical /
Medication
3. Dietary
4. Environmental
5. Socio Cultural Factors /
Situations / Relationships /
Personality

13. DIAGNOSIS
•History Collection
•Mental Status
Examination
•ICD – 10 Criteria

14. Management
• Antidepressants primarily
work on brain chemicals
called neurotransmitters,
especially serotonin and
norepinephrine. Other
antidepressants work on
the neurotransmitter
dopamine.

15. ANTI DEPRESSANTS
• Selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (SSRIs). Fluoxetine
(Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft),
escitalopram (Lexapro),
paroxetine (Paxil), and citalopram
(Celexa) are some of the most
commonly prescribed SSRIs for
depression.

16. ANTI DEPRESSANTS
• Tricyclics are older
antidepressants. Tricyclics are
powerful, but they are not used as
much today because their
potential side effects are more
serious.
Examples: Imipramine and
Nortriptyline

17. ANTI DEPRESSANTS
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
(MAOIs) are the oldest class of
antidepressant medications. They
can be especially effective in
cases of “atypical" depression.
• People who take MAOIs must avoid certain
foods and beverages (including cheese and
red wine) that contain a substance called
tyramine.

18. PSYCHOTHERAPY
• Cognitive - behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT helps people with depression
restructure negative thought
patterns.
• Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
IPT helps people understand and work
through troubled relationships that
may cause their depression

19. ELECTROCONVULSIVE
THERAPY
• For cases in which medication
and/or psychotherapy does not
help relieve a person's treatment-
resistant depression,
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
may be useful.