Melancholic Depression is a form of depressive disorder that is characterized by the profound presentation of severe depression. Signs may include feelings of guilt, helplessness, and loss of interest. Diagnosis of this disorder depends upon the medical history, the symptoms, and the treatments. To get in-depth knowledge about managing Melancholic Depression go through this article.
Who is at risk of Melancholic Depression?
It is basically a subtype of major depressive disorder, which is characterized by a distinct set of symptoms, that includes loss of happiness in almost all activities. The lack of mood reactivity, significant weight loss, early morning awakening, and the feeling of excessive guilt or worthlessness are the major signs that the person is suffering from Melancholic depression.
Individuals who are at risk of developing melancholic depression include those who:
- Depression tends to run into families, in case you have a family history of depression.
- In case you have been through traumatic life experiences such as losing your loved ones, financial difficulties can increase the probability of developing melancholic depression.
- People who are diagnosed with medical conditions like Parkinson’s disease, stroke, or cancer.
- People who have a history of anxiety disorder or getting panic attacks.
- People who have experienced past episodes of melancholic depression and other forms of depression.
It is crucial to note that certain factors can be the reason behind developing melancholic depression. There are also possibilities that you may develop this, regardless of any background or personal history.
In case you are experiencing symptoms of depression, it is important to seek help from mental health experts who can offer an acute diagnosis and provide you with a personalized treatment plan. You are never alone.
What Are the Causes of Melancholic Depression?
Like any other depression, melancholic depression is a complex disorder that can rise from the combination of biological, environmental, genetic, or psychological factors. Here are some of the reasons behind melancholic depression:
- There can be many biological factors, such as changes in the levels of neurotransmitters in your brain, such as serotonin or dopamine. It can have a huge impact on your mood and contribute to the development of depression. Hormonal imbalance can happen during menopause or pregnancy and can also increase the risk of depression.
- Genetic factors play an important role when it comes to this disorder. However, no specific genes have been identified that cause depression.
- Traumatic life events such as the sudden death of a person, divorce, serious illness, or injuries can be the reason behind developing melancholic depression.
- Some medical conditions, such as thyroid disorder, chronic pain, and neurological disorders, can also increase the risk of depression.
It is important to keep in mind that not everyone who experiences all these risk factors will develop melancholic depression. It is important to work with a mental health professional to identify the specific cause behind the depression so that they can plan your treatment accordingly.
In case you, or someone you know is going through a similar situation, we urge you to seek help from a mental health professional.
How Is Melancholic Depression Diagnosed?
Melancholic depression is diagnosed through a combination of standardized diagnostic criteria and clinical assessments. The procedure involves the following steps:
- The doctor may perform a physical examination to rule out the underlying medical conditions which would be causing the symptoms.
- A mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist, can conduct an evaluation to assess your mental health condition, medical history, and the risk factors which may contribute to depression.
- The mental health professional can also assess the severity of the symptoms to determine in case you have mild, moderate, or it can be severe depression.
Once your doctor makes the diagnosis of melancholic depression, they can plan your treatments accordingly. Follow up on the appointments on a regular basis to monitor the progress and adjust the treatment, if needed.
Which Treatments Can be Beneficial For Melancholic Depression?
Melancholic depression can be a debilitating condition, but it can effectively be treated with a combination of medication, lifestyle, and psychotherapy alterations.
Here are some of the treatments which can be beneficial for melancholic depression:
- You can go for antidepressant medications, such as selective serotonin, tricyclic antidepressants, and reuptake inhibitors, All of these can regulate the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. However, all these medications you are taking must be prescribed by a qualified medical professional.
- Electroconvulsive therapy is the procedure where electrical currents are passed through the brain to induce a seizure. This can be an effective treatment method for severe depression.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy is the type of psychotherapy that helps people to recognize negative patterns of thinking and behavior. This has been proven to be one of the most effective patterns of thinking as well as behavior.
It’s important to note that any of these medications must NOT be taken without a doctor’s prescription. Upon consulting a health care practitioner, the correct dosage,and right formula is drawn upon.
If you or someone you know is facing severe depressive episodes, it’s important to seek help from a mental health counselor. Talk to someone. You are never alone in this!
Final Words
We tried to sum up all the symptoms related to Melancholic depression. If you or any of your close ones have experienced any symptoms which we have mentioned above, you can reach us through our helpline number. We have experts who can help you understand the in-depth cause behind your depression and can help you to overcome this. Contact us today to book an appointment.
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