Havingunipolar depression, or major depressive disorder , is different from feeling sad and low at times. Unipolar depression is characterized by persistent, severe feelings of depression that make it difficult to function normally or to relate to others.
Depression is a common mental health condition whose symptoms can range from mild to severe. If a person is struggling with low mood, lack of energy or apathy, they may think they are possibly depressed. However, when depression is researched, related terms such as unipolar, bipolar, clinical and dysthymia are encountered.
What are the symptoms of unipolar depression?
It is not always easy to recognize the symptoms of unipolar depression. This term is used to distinguish major depressive disorder from bipolar disorder, which is characterized by alternating periods of mania and depression. Some of the main features of unipolar depression include
Indifference: Indifference to situations, people and hobbies that were once enjoyed and feeling nothing about them.
Sadness: While not everyone feels sad when depressed (some feel angry and irritable), the person experiencing unipolar may feel overwhelming sadness, emptiness or tearfulness.
Irritability: The person with this depression may feel extremely irritable, "on edge" or angry about a situation that would not normally make them angry at all.
Slowness: A common symptom of major depression is that a person speaks more slowly and moves slower than usual.
Suicidal thoughts or plans: Recurrent suicidal thoughts and fantasies are not normal and should be treated as an emergency. If this is the main symptom the person is experiencing, they should contact a specialist.
Some medical conditions can cause or contribute to mood problems. For example, hypothyroidism often manifests as weight gain, lethargy and a depressed mood. Consultation with a specialist is necessary for an accurate diagnosis.
What Causes Unipolar Depression?
There is no universal cure for depression, nor are there unipolar causes of depression . The death of a loved one, childbirth or a career crisis can trigger depression. It can also be the result of a lack of sunlight during the winter months.
If someone in the immediate family is struggling with depression, it is more likely that the person will also develop depression. The risk of developing unipolar depression is also higher if the individual has had depression before or has a medical condition that makes life difficult.
Who Can Diagnose Unipolar Depression?
The usual tests for depression include a physical examination, a medical and family history questionnaire and blood tests to look for symptoms. Sometimes other medical conditions are confused with unipolar depression, such as thyroid or hormonal problems, so it is important to rule these out.
According to theDSM-5, a diagnosis of unipolar depression (major depressive disorder) requires symptoms of a depressive episode for 2 weeks or more.
Treatment of Unipolar Depression
Unipolar depression is difficult to deal with. If a person is experiencing symptoms of unipolar depression and has thoughts of self-harm or suicide, a specialist should be consulted. In general, treatment works best if it combines common treatments such as therapy and medication.
Psychotherapy is an effective way to treat unipolar depression and is the cornerstone of depression treatment. The first step in treating this condition is to seek the support of a specialized doctor. The types of therapy used to treat unipolar depression include interpersonal therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy. In addition, getting enough sleep can improve mood. In the fight against depression, it is important not to ignore the warning signs.