Although men, women, and teenagers can experience the same depression symptoms, the illness often has different signs in each of these groups.

Unlike regular feelings of sadness that pass relatively quickly, depression is a clinical illness in which negative emotions last for weeks or longer.

It’s one of the most common mental illnesses people experience, affecting an estimated 350 million people across the globe, according to the World Health Organization.

Depression is treatable, and it’s important to know the signs and symptoms of the illness so that you can get help as soon as possible.

Signs of Depression in Adults

Depression doesn’t affect all people in exactly the same way, but the illness is associated with a number of possible symptoms, which include:

Trouble Sleeping?
http://www.help-treat-insomnia.com
Find Information About Insomnia
Symptoms & A Treatment Option Today
Persistent feelings of sadness or emptiness
Frequently feeling irritated, anxious, frustrated, or angry
Feeling hopeless, worthless, helpless, or guilty
Fatigue and decreased energy
Changes in appetite and eating habits
Inability to concentrate, remember details, or make decisions
Sleep disturbances, such as sleeping more than usual or insomnia
Loss of interest in activities or hobbies that were once enjoyable
Unexplained body aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems
Thoughts of death and suicide
Slowed thinking, speaking, or movement
Reckless behavior
Substance abuse
Depression in Men

Although men and women can experience the same symptoms of depression, there are important differences in how often they report specific symptoms, according to a 2013 report in the journal JAMA Psychiatry.

Men with depression are more likely than women to report the following signs of depression:

Anger
Aggression
Drug and alcohol abuse
Risk-taking behavior
Depression in Women

Women are 70 percent more likely than men to experience depression, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Other sources, including the 2013 JAMA Psychiatry report, state that women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression.

Women with depression are more likely to report the following symptoms:

Stress
Withdrawal
Irritability
Sleep problems
Loss of interest
Teen Depression

Teenagers experience the same symptoms of depression as adults, but these changes in mood and behavior are sometimes mistaken as a normal part of puberty or adolescence.

Other signs of depression in teenagers can include:
Obsession with death, such as poems and drawings that refer to death
Criminal behavior, such as shoplifting
Withdrawal from family and friends
Sudden sensitivity to criticism
Drop in grades or school attendance
Risky behavior, such as unsafe sex and reckless driving
Drinking alcohol or using drugs
Irrational or bizarre behavior
Sudden, dramatic changes in personality or appearance
Giving away belongings
Complications of Depression

Experiencing and surviving an episode of major depression puts you at risk for more episodes in the future.

Half of people who recover from their first episode of depression will eventually have one or more additional episodes later in their life.

Additionally, 80 percent of people who have experienced two episodes will go on to have additional episodes, according to a 2007 report in Clinical Psychology Review.

Up to two-thirds of all suicides are associated with clinical depression, according to the health information resource A.D.A.M.

Depression can negatively affect your personal relationships and work life.

It may also raise your risk of developing heart disease or obesity, having a heart attack, or experiencing a sharp decline in mental function in old age.

Depression Tests and Diagnosis

There are a number of online tools and self-tests to determine whether you may be depressed and need to seek help, but only your doctor can diagnose clinical depression.

Before diagnosing major depression — the most common type of depression — your doctor will conduct exams and tests to rule out other problems that could be causing your symptoms, such as thyroid issues, brain tumors, sleep apnea, or vitamin deficiencies.

These efforts may include a physical examination and blood tests, as well as a discussion about your medications, some of which may cause depressive symptoms.

Your doctor will also ask in-depth questions about your mood and feelings, and may ask you to fill out a questionnaire.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, you must meet specific criteria to be clinically diagnosed with major depression.
You must have experienced at least five of the following nine symptoms for at least two weeks, and these symptoms must have significantly impaired your ability to function in your daily life:

Feeling sad or having a depressed mood for most of the day
Loss of interest or pleasure in once-enjoyable activities
Unexplained weight loss or gain
Insomnia or sleeping too much
Fatigue or loss of energy
Restlessness or slowed movements, speech, and thoughts
Feelings of worthlessness and guilt
Difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions
Thoughts of death or suicide
Other forms of depression have other specific diagnostic criteria.

Depression Treatment
By Joseph Bennington-Castro Medically Reviewed by Robert Jasmer, MD
Psychotherapy, medication, and brain stimulation therapy can help treat various forms of depression.

Depression is a serious mental illness that can cause real pain to both you and your loved ones, and can even lead to suicide.

In fact, depression is associated with up to two-thirds of all suicide cases, according to the health information resource A.D.A.M.

Despite this alarming statistic, various medications — as well as medication-free treatments — are available to help you overcome depression before such severe complications develop.

Psychotherapy for Depression

Depression is different for everyone, but it typically develops due to a combination of factors.

Rheumatoid Arthritis
http://www.ra-prescription-treatment.com/
RA is a Disease of the Immune
System. Learn About a Treatment.
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is designed to help people identify and effectively deal with the psychological, behavioral, interpersonal, and situational factors related to their depression.

Different types of psychotherapy have different goals, such as helping people:

Identify life problems that contribute to depression or worsen it
Identify negative or distorted thoughts and beliefs that contribute to depression-related feelings, such as hopelessness and helplessness
Develop skills to better cope with stress and solve problems
Explore relationships and experiences to improve their interactions with other people
Create realistic life goals and personal self-care plans
Regain satisfaction and control in life
Understand painful past events
Two of the most common types of psychotherapy are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy.

Effective for a wide range of mental illnesses, CBT attempts to help people uncover unhealthy or negative patterns of thoughts and beliefs, and replace those patterns with positive ones.

People undergoing CBT often have “homework” between sessions in which they record their negative thoughts, among other things.

Interpersonal therapy focuses on exploring a person’s relationships, identifying problems in those relationships, and improving interpersonal skills.

It aims to help people discover their negative social patterns, such as isolation and aggression, and develop strategies to better interact with other people.

Psychotherapy alone may be the best option for people with mild to moderate depression, but it may not be enough for people with severe depression, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants, first developed in the 1950s, are a class of drugs that moderate certain chemicals in the brain that affect mood and behavior.

About 10 percent of Americans ages 12 and above report taking antidepressants, according to a 2011 report by the National Center for Health Statistics.

There are a range of depression medications available today, including:
SSRIs
SNRIs
MAOIs
Tricyclic antidepressants
Depression and Electroconvulsive Therapy

If psychotherapy and medications don’t work for you, your psychiatrist may recommend that you undergo a brain stimulation therapy.

Once called electroshock therapy, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has come a very long way since it was first used in the 1940s.

In ECT, an electrical current is passed through the brain while you’re under anesthesia.

The treatment causes a brief, controlled seizure that affects neurons and brain chemistry. Most people undergo four to six treatments before they see major improvements, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

ECT may cause temporary side effects, including headaches, muscle pain, nausea, confusion, and memory loss.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Depression

Instead of using an electrical current, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) uses magnetic fields to stimulate neurons and help relieve depressive symptoms.

The treatment, which doesn’t require anesthesia, targets the brain area thought to be involved with regulating moods.

Side effects of TMS may include facial muscle contractions, headaches or light-headedness, and seizures (if you have a history of them).

Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Depression

For chronic depression or depression that doesn’t respond to ECT or TMS, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) may be an option.

A kind of pacemaker for the brain, this treatment uses an implanted device to stimulate the vagus nerve — which carries messages to the parts of the brain controlling mood and sleep — with electrical signals throughout the day.

Localized side effects are associated with VNS, such as throat issues (swallowing, pain, and coughing), neck pain, and breathing problems while exercising.

Natural Remedies for Depression

There are a number of natural remedies, as well as complementary or alternative treatments, that may help treat depression when used in combination with other treatments (including medication).
These remedies include:

Exercise, which releases mood-enhancing hormones
Yoga, meditation, and other mind-body techniques that can lower stress and relieve negative emotions
Massage therapy, which can reduce stress hormones and increase mood-stabilizing brain chemicals (neurotransmitters)
Acupuncture, which may also positively affect neurotransmitters
Certain supplements — including folate, SAMe (S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine), and St. John’s wort — may also help treat depression, but more research is needed to prove their efficacy.

Depression Medications
By Joseph Bennington-Castro Medically Reviewed by Robert Jasmer, MD
Different classes of antidepressants can help treat depression by acting on mood-regulating brain chemicals.

Depression isn’t the same for everyone — multiple types of depression exist, and people experience this treatable illness in varying degrees of severity.

For some people, psychotherapy, lifestyle changes, and natural remedies may be enough to treat their depression.

Many other people, however, also require medications to lift them above the cloud of depression.

According to a 2011 report by the National Center for Health Statistics, about 10 percent of Americans ages 12 and above report taking antidepressants, drugs that work by acting on specific brain chemicals that are involved in regulating your mood.

In addition, antidepressants are the second most commonly prescribed type of drug in the United States, according to the American Psychological Association.

Trouble Sleeping?
http://www.help-treat-insomnia.com
Find Information About Insomnia
Symptoms & A Treatment Option Today
Numerous depression-fighting medications are available today, so talk to your psychiatrist to learn which treatment may be best for you.

SSRIs

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

These drugs help alleviate depression by making the neurotransmitter serotonin more available to your brain.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the most commonly used SSRIs are:

Prozac (fluoxetine)
Zoloft (sertraline)
Lexapro (escitalopram)
Paxil (paroxetine)
Celexa (citalopram)
Common side effects of SSRIs include:

Sexual dysfunction
Gastrointestinal issues, such as nausea, constipation, and diarrhea
Dry mouth
Insomnia
Headache
Nervousness or jitters
Weight gain
Sweating
SNRIs and NDRIs

The second most commonly prescribed class of antidepressants, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), block the reabsorption of both serotonin and norepinephrine, making them more available to your brain.

Some common SNRIs include:

Effexor (venlafaxine)
Pristiq (desvenlafaxine)
Cymbalta (duloxetine)
Fetzima (levomilnacipran)
Savella (milnacipran) is also an SNRI, but it’s used to treat fibromyalgia instead of depression.

These drugs may cause side effects similar to those of SSRIs, as well fatigue and difficulty urinating.

Another popular type of antidepressant that targets norepinephrine is Wellbutrin (bupropion).

This medication affects the neurotransmitter dopamine in addition to norepinephrine, so it’s considered a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor, or NDRI.
Wellbutrin has similar side effects to those of SSRIs and SNRIs, but it’s less likely to cause sexual dysfunction and may increase your risk of seizures.

Tricyclics

Tricyclic antidepressants (tricyclics, or TCAs) are older drugs that work by blocking the reabsorption of serotonin and norepinephrine through a different mechanism than SNRIs.

While effective, these drugs are seldom used today because they can cause a wide range of side effects, some of which may be serious.

But they are sometimes prescribed when other antidepressants are ineffective, according to NAMI.

Examples of tricyclics include:

Elavil (amitriptyline)
Norpramin (desipramine)
Sinequan (doxepin)
Tofranil (imipramine)
Pamelor (nortriptyline)
Avantyl (nortriptyline)
Vivactil (protriptyline)
Some serious potential side effects of tricyclics include:

Blurred vision
Irregular heartbeat
Tremors
Confusion in elderly people
Seizures
MAOIs

The oldest class of antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) work by blocking the enzyme monoamine oxidase, which breaks down various neurotransmitters — including serotonin and norepinephrine — in the brain.

Examples of MAOIs include:

Nardil (phenelzine)
Marplan (isocarboxazid)
Parnate (tranylcypromine sulfate)
Emsam (selegiline), a recently developed skin patch that causes fewer side effects than other MAOIs
Like tricyclics, MAOIs are rarely used today because of their potential side effects and interactions.

For example, if you consume a large of amount of the compound tyramine (found in cheese, pickles, and red wine) while taking an MAOI, you could develop hypertensive crisis — a severe spike in blood pressure that can lead to stroke.

You may also experience a severe increase in blood pressure if you take an MAOI with various medications, including certain:

Birth control pills
Prescription pain relievers
Cold and allergy drugs
Herbal supplements
In addition, taking an MAOI along with an SSRI can cause a potentially life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome.

Other Medications
Various other medications that don’t fit into the classes listed above are also available to treat depression.

These drugs include:

Trazadone
Nefazodone
Remeron (mirtazapine)
Abilify (aripiprazole)
Seroquel (quetiapine
Viibryd (vilazodone)
Brintellix (vortioxetine)

Depression During Pregnancy
By Joseph Bennington-Castro Medically Reviewed by Robert Jasmer, MD
About one-fifth of pregnant women experience antepartum depression (depression during pregnancy).

Depression is a common mental illness in which you feel strong negative emotions — including sadness, loss of interest, and hopelessness — that interfere with daily life for a prolonged period.

There are multiple types of depression, including:

Major depression (severe depressive symptoms last for at least two weeks)
Persistent depressive disorder (low-level depressive symptoms last for at least two years)
Seasonal affective disorder (depression during the winter or fall due to lack of sunlight)
Although a lot of attention has been paid to postpartum depression — depression that occurs after giving birth — it’s also not uncommon for women to experience some form of depression during pregnancy, which is known as antepartum depression.

AS Patient Stories
http://www.Ankylosing-Spondylitis-Info.com
Read A Story About A Patient
With Ankylosing Spondylitis Today.
In fact, between 14 and 23 percent of pregnant women experience depression at some point during their pregnancy, according to a 2009 report in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Causes and Risk Factors

Some women who experience antepartum depression have a history of major depression.

Experiencing an episode of major depression puts you at risk for more depressive episodes in the future.

Many women have their first experience of depression while they’re pregnant.

Antepartum depression is generally thought to be caused by a combination of hormonal changes and psychological disturbances associated with pregnancy.

Other physical changes during pregnancy, such as bodily changes and changes in sleep and eating habits, can contribute to the development of antepartum depression.

In addition to having a history of depression, other risk factors for antepartum depression include:
Lack of a partner or social support during pregnancy
Relationship problems
History of abuse or trauma
Stressful life events
Financial stress, including poverty
Substance abuse
Feeling ambivalent toward your pregnancy
Previous pregnancy losses or abortions
Anxiety about the fetus, such as from having pregnancy complications
Unplanned pregnancy
Signs and Symptoms

Depression during pregnancy is defined by the same major depressive symptoms that people experience outside of pregnancy.

These symptoms, which must last for two weeks or longer to constitute depression, include:

Severe, persistent sadness
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
Feeling hopeless, worthless, or guilty
Loss of interest or pleasure in formerly enjoyable hobbies and activities
Fatigue
Disturbed sleep
Irritability
Thoughts of death or suicide
Sudden changes in appetite
Reckless behavior
It’s important to note that many of these symptoms are similar to pregnancy-related changes that many women experience, making it potentially difficult to identify antepartum depression.

Complications of Depression During Pregnancy

Depressed pregnant women are more likely to develop various pregnancy complications — including severe nausea and vomiting, and preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy) — than nondepressed pregnant women.

Women with antepartum depression are also at higher risk for postpartum depression, which occurs after about 15 percent of births, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Left untreated, antepartum depression may harm your infant by increasing your risk of:

Complications with pregnancy or delivery
Delivering a low-birth-weight baby
Prematurely giving birth
Treating Depression During Pregnancy
Antepartum depression can be successfully treated using normal treatments for major depression. These treatments include:

Counseling or therapy, including specific techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal psychotherapy
Support groups
Brain stimulation therapies, including electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), in which a low-level electrical current is passed through the brain
Prescription antidepressants, which can carry risks to both a mother and her child that need to be balanced carefully against the benefits of using these medications
Practicing yoga, eating a balanced diet, and getting regular exercise can also help treat antepartum depression.