| Almost everyone gets a little "depressed" at | | | | antidepressant medication. Analytic and other |
| times in their lives, and a brief attack of | | | | insight-oriented therapies appear useful for |
| the blues isn't necessarily anything to worry | | | | some patients, provided specific neurotic |
| about. But if the symptoms of depression | | | | conflict patterns can be elucidated, the |
| persist then it could be clinical depression, | | | | patient meets other criteria for this form of |
| whether a severe or mild form of depression. | | | | treatment, and the clinician is experienced |
| Any persistant depressive symptoms need | | | | in its use. |
| prompt medical investigation by a medical | | | | |
| professional. | | | | Psychotic Depression Treatment |
| | | | |
| Depression Depression is one of the most | | | | Electroconvulsive therapy is exclusively done |
| common psychiatric disorders. Symptoms of | | | | inside hospitals, causing most patients to |
| depression are often subtle and unrecognized | | | | remain as inpatients while it lasts. It is |
| both by patients and physicians. The brain | | | | effective only for the depressed patients who |
| contains a network of interconnected nerve | | | | either are deluded or have marked psychomotor |
| cells called neurons. The junction between | | | | retardation. For the patients it consists of |
| the neurons is called the synaptic junction. | | | | a general anaesthetic twice a week for two or |
| The transmission of impulses from one neuron | | | | three weeks and they experience a mild |
| to another is facilitated by chemicals called | | | | confusion for an hour or so after each |
| neuro-transmitters. | | | | session. |
| | | | |
| Atypical Depression Treatment | | | | Cyclothymic Disorder Treatment |
| | | | |
| A study by McGrath et al published in the | | | | Diagnosis |
| American Journal of Psychiatry in 2000 found | | | | |
| that Prozac was no better than the tricyclic | | | | This disorder is common in the relatives of |
| antidepressant imipramine for the treatment | | | | patients with bipolar disorder and some |
| of atypical depression, though the side | | | | individuals with cyclothymia eventually |
| effects were less. A study by Quitkin et al | | | | develop bipolar disorder themselves. It may |
| published in 1993 in the British Journal of | | | | persist throughout adult life, cease |
| Psychiatry found a response rate of 72 | | | | temporarily or permanently, or develop into |
| percent for patients with atypical depression | | | | more severe mood swings meeting the criteria |
| on the MAOI Nardil compared to 44 percent on | | | | for bipolar disorder or recurrent depressive |
| imipramine. The American Psychiatric | | | | disorder in rare cases. |
| Association's 2000 Practice Guidelines for | | | | |
| the Treatment of Patients with Major | | | | Treatment: |
| Depression states: "MAOIs may be particularly | | | | |
| effective in treating subgroups of patients | | | | In some cases individuals may prefer no |
| ... with atypical features." | | | | treatment or supportive psychotherapy alone. |
| | | | Lithium, a mood stabilizer used commonly in |
| Dysthymia Treatment | | | | the treatment of Biplor disorder, has been |
| | | | proven to help a substantial number of people |
| Psychosocial Treatment | | | | with Cyclothemia. |
| | | | |
| "Short-term" focused psychotherapy and | | | | A variety of medications are used to treat |
| therapeutic programs that stress changes in | | | | bipolar disorder. But even with optimal |
| interpersonal relationships and cognitive | | | | medication treatment, many people with the |
| self-awareness are becoming more popular, in | | | | illness have some residual symptoms. Certain |
| part because long-term analytic approaches to | | | | types of psychotherapy or psychosocial |
| personality change are economically | | | | interventions, in combination with |
| unfeasible. | | | | medication, often can provide additional |
| | | | benefit. These include cognitive-behavioral |
| Patients who receive psychotherapy of any of | | | | therapy, interpersonal and social rhythm |
| several types - notably cognitive, | | | | therapy, family therapy, and psychoeducation. |
| interpersonally-oriented, or behavior therapy | | | | |
| with social skills training - tend to have a | | | | Read about Penis Enlargement Exercises and |
| good prognosis, with or without | | | | Premature Ejaculation Cure. |