Depressive disorder, also called major depression, causes disabling symptoms that interfere with a person's ability to function normally. People with depressive disorder may have difficulty working, sleeping, eating or enjoying activities that once brought them pleasure. A person may experience one major depressive episode that lasts for months, but finally subsides. Other people suffer from depressive disorders throughout their lifetime, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
Types
Major depression can become so severe that patients are unable to do routine activities because they are consumed by their negative moods or feelings. Another type of depression, called dysthymic disorder, causes long-term depression that may last two years or longer. However, the symptoms are not severe enough to prevent people from functioning normally for the most part. They may suffer episodes of depressive disorder that periodically interfere with activities. Seasonal affective disorder, called SAD, occurs in people who become extremely depressed during certain times of the year, usually in fall and winter. The depression lifts when the seasons change. Psychotic depression causes severe depressive symptoms that may include withdrawing from reality, hallucinations and delusions.
Therapy
Doctors first examine patients to find out if underlying medical conditions cause the depressive disorder. If doctors rule out physical illness, they may refer patients to a mental health professional. Therapy involves finding the reasons for the depression and helping patients to return to normal functioning as much as possible. Therapies may include individual counseling, group therapy or sessions with a patient's family, according to MentalHealthChannel.net. Therapy may last for several months, but may last longer for some people. Therapy alone can often work effectively for patients with mild or moderate depression. Major depression usually requires the addition of medication.
Positive Thoughts
Cognitive-behavioral therapy attempts to relieve patients of negative thinking that may cause their depressive disorders. Instead, therapists help patients focus on positive thoughts to produce better feelings and a sense of accomplishment. Low self-esteem may lead to major depression. When patients identify anxiety-provoking situations that may result in depression, they learn to use better coping techniques to manage their reactions and build up their confidence. Psychotherapists may employ suggestive methods, including hypnosis, to help patients understand their deep thoughts or concerns to rebuild their self-esteem.
Mood Enhancement
Doctors commonly prescribe medication for people with major depression. Antidepressant medications help alter brain chemistry to improve moods. Newer drugs include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, which prevent the brain from absorbing serotonin after the neurotransmitter performs a function. Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, or SNRIs, interfere with the brain's absorption of serotonin and norepinephrine, which are involved in emotions, leaving more of the brain chemicals available in the body to improve moods. Doctors may prescribe older tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors for some patients when the reuptake inhibitors do not produce satisfying results, but the newer antidepressants have fewer side effects.
Last Resort
Hospitalization may help patients who have severe depressive reactions and need monitoring until symptoms improve. Electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT, once called shock therapy, may benefit patients who cannot find relief from counseling or medication. The technique has significantly improved over the years, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Patients take muscle relaxants and are put under anesthesia before the electrical impulses are applied. Patients may undergo several ECT sessions a week. The treatment tapers off over the months or up to a year. Many depressive disorder patients have had success with ECT. The treatment has some short-term effects, such as confusion or memory loss, but the effects subside.
