depression (redirected from depressions)

depression /de·pres·sion/ (de-presh´un)

1. a hollow or depressed area; downward or inward displacement.

2. a lowering or decrease of functional activity.

3. a mental state of altered mood characterized by feelings of sadness, despair, and discouragement.depres´sive

---

agitated depression  major depressive disorder accompanied by more or less constant activity.

anaclitic depression  impairment of an infant's physical, social, and intellectual development resulting from absence of mothering.

congenital chondrosternal depression  congenital deformity with a deep, funnel-shaped depression in the anterior chest wall.

endogenous depression  a type caused by an intrinsic biological or somatic process rather than an environmental influence, in contrast to a reactive depression.

major depression  major depressive disorder.

neurotic depression  one that is not a psychotic depression (q.v.); used sometimes broadly to indicate any depression without psychotic features and sometimes more narrowly to denote only milder forms of depression.

pacchionian depressions  small pits on the internal cranium on either side of the groove for the superior sagittal sinus, occupied by the arachnoid granulations.

psychotic depression  strictly, major depressive disorder with psychotic features, such as hallucinations, delusions, mutism, or stupor; often used more broadly to cover all severe depressions causing gross impairment of social or occupational functioning.

reactive depression , situational depression a usually transient depression that is precipitated by a stressful life event or other environmental factor; cf. endogenous d.

unipolar depression  that unaccompanied by episodes of mania or hypomania, as in major depressive disorder or dysthymic disorder; the term is sometimes used to denote the former specifically.

---

de·pres·sion (d-prshn)

n.

1. The act of depressing or the state of being depressed.

2. A reduction in physiological vigor or activity.

3. A lowering in amount, degree, or position.

4. An inward displacement of a body part.

5. A hollow or sunken area.

6. The condition of feeling sad or despondent.

7. A psychiatric disorder characterized by an inability to concentrate, insomnia, loss of appetite, anhedonia, feelings of extreme sadness, guilt, helplessness and hopelessness, and thoughts of death. Also called clinical depression.

---

Depression

A state of being depressed marked especially by sadness, inactivity, difficulty with thinking and concentration, a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal thoughts or an attempt to commit suicide.

Mentioned in: Antidepressant Drugs, Antidepressants, Tricyclic, Antipsychotic Drugs, Atypical, Central Nervous System Stimulants, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

---

depression

[dipresh′ən]

Etymology: L, deprimere, to press down

1  a depressed area, hollow, or fossa.

2  downward or inward displacement.

3  a decrease of vital functional activity.

4  a mood disturbance characterized by feelings of sadness, despair, and discouragement resulting from and normally proportionate to some personal loss or tragedy.

5  an abnormal emotional state characterized by exaggerated feelings of sadness, melancholy, dejection, worthlessness, emptiness, and hopelessness that are inappropriate and out of proportion to reality. The overt manifestations, which are extremely variable, range from a slight lack of motivation and inability to concentrate to severe physiologic alterations of body functions and may represent symptoms of a variety of mental and physical conditions, a syndrome of related symptoms associated with a particular disease, or a specific mental illness. The condition is neurotic when the precipitating cause is an intrapsychic conflict or a traumatic situation or event that is identifiable, even though the person is unable to explain the overreaction to it. The condition is psychotic when there is severe physical and mental functional impairment caused by an unidentifiable intrapsychic conflict; it is often accompanied by hallucinations, delusions, and confusion concerning time, place, and identity. Depression may be expressed in a wide spectrum of affective, physiologic, cognitive, and behavioral manifestations. The varied behaviors represent the complex actions, reactions, and interactions of the depressed person to stimuli that may be either internal or external. Because the origin of depression can be genetic, pharmacologic, endocrinal, infectious, nutritional, neoplastic, or neurologic, the behavioral effects can appear as aggression or withdrawal, anorexia or overeating, anger or apathy, or any of myriad responses. Kinds of depression include agitated depression, anaclitic depression, involutional melancholia, major depressive disorder, reactive depression, and retarded depression. See also bipolar disorder. depressive, adj.

---

depression [de-presh´un]

1. a hollow or depressed area.

2. a lowering or decrease of functional activity.

3. in psychiatry, a mental state of altered mood characterized by feelings of sadness, despair, and discouragement; distinguished from grief, which is realistic and proportionate to a personal loss. Profound depression may be an illness itself, such as major depressive disorder (see also mood disorders), or it may be symptomatic of another psychiatric disorder, such as schizophrenia. adj., adj depres´sive.

Depression is closely associated with a lack of confidence and self-esteem and with an inability to express strong feelings. Repressed anger is thought to be a powerful contributor to depression. The person feels inadequate to cope with the situations that arise in everyday life and so feels insecure.

Treatment of profound and chronic depression is often very difficult, requiring in most cases intensive psychotherapy to help the patient understand the underlying cause of the depression. antidepressant drugs such as imipramine hydrochloride (Tofranil) and amitriptyline (Elavil) are often used in the treatment of profound depression. They are not true stimulants of the central nervous system, but they do block the reuptake of neurotransmitter substances, which may potentiate the action of norepinephrine and serotonin. monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors are also used. When antidepressants fail, a different technique such as electroconvulsive therapy may be used in conjunction with the psychotherapy.

Patient Care. Mild, sporadic depression is a relatively common phenomenon experienced by almost everyone at some time, but hospitalized patients are particularly susceptible to feelings of depression and a sense of loss and despair. Early signs of depression of this kind include pessimistic statements about one's illness and its prognosis, refusal to eat, diminished concern about personal appearance, and reluctance to make decisions. When depression is noted in a patient, it should be listed on the treatment plan along with suggestions for resolving it.

When patients are depressed, they are likely to isolate themselves and avoid social contact even with those who are trying to help them. Since loss of contact with others contributes to depression, members of the health care team should persist in attempts to talk with these patients, by asking them questions, and actively listening when they attempt to express their feelings. One should be especially careful to avoid being judgmental when the patient does express despair, anger, hostility, or some negative feeling. Above all, it is important not to be condescending or to respond to statements with a meaningless cliché such as “Don't worry,” or “I'm sure everything will turn out okay.” These responses convey a lack of empathy with the patient's suffering and are an unrealistic approach to a problem that is very real.

Physical contact and touching may be misunderstood by depressed patients. Sometimes, it is better just to sit with them and calmly observe them without making them feel uncomfortable. Honest dialogue and expressions of support and concern can often improve their mood and sense of self worth.

Severely depressed patients usually express three basic feelings associated with their mental state. These are a lack of desire for socializing or physical activity, feelings of worthlessness and loss of self esteem, and thoughts of self-injury or destruction. In planning the care of the depressed patient, one must always consider these feelings and strive for some understanding of the reasons for the patient's behavior. Only by gradually gaining their attention and pointing out encouraging signs of progress can they be helped in their early attempts to return to reality and socialize with others.

Physical inactivity will require attention to adequate nutrition, a normal balance of fluid intake and output, proper elimination, and good skin care. Patients will need help in maintaining good personal hygiene. Severely depressed patients may be totally out of touch with reality and completely unresponsive to anyone else's presence. In such instances the health care provider may be able to do little more than demonstrate caring and empathy by remaining with the patient.

Consistency of care is helpful to depressed patients. They know what to expect, and thus are not repeatedly disappointed when their expectations are not met. An example is consistency in scheduling and carrying out treatments and routine care at the same time each day. A supportive family and interested friends should be involved in choosing and planning activities that are helpful.

Constant vigilance must be maintained to prevent the profoundly depressed patient from injuring himself or committing suicide. Self-destructive behavior is a manifestation of the patient's feeling of worthlessness and loss of self esteem. An awareness of the potential dangers in such a situation should help the provider plan and provide a safe and congenial atmosphere, remaining alert to the early signs of a patient's intention to harm or destroy himself. In most cases suicide is most likely to occur when the patient is recovering from severe depression.

agitated depression major depressive disorder characterized by signs and symptoms of agitation, such as restlessness, racing thoughts, pacing, hand-wringing, sighing, or moaning.

congenital chondrosternal depression a congenital, deep, funnel-shaped depression in the anterior chest wall.

endogenous depression a type of depression caused by somatic or biological factors rather than environmental influences, in contrast to a reactive depression. It is often identified with a specific symptom complex—psychomotor retardation, early morning awakening, weight loss, excessive guilt, and lack of reactivity to the environment—that is roughly equivalent to the symptoms of major depressive disorder.

major depression major depressive disorder.

neurotic depression one that is not a psychotic depression. The term is now little used but has been used sometimes broadly to indicate any depression without psychotic features and sometimes more narrowly to denote only milder forms of depression (dysthymic disorder).

postpartum depression moderate to severe depression beginning slowly and sometimes undetectably during the second to third week post partum, increasing steadily for weeks to months and usually resolving spontaneously within a year. Somatic complaints such as fatigue are common. It is intermediate in severity between the mood fluctuations experienced by the majority of new mothers and frank postpartum psychosis.

psychotic depression strictly, major depressive disorder with psychotic features, such as hallucinations, delusions, mutism, or stupor. The term is often used more broadly to cover all severe depressions causing gross impairment of social or occupational functioning.

reactive depression a usually transient depression that is precipitated by a stressful life event or other environmental factor, in contrast to an endogenous depression.

retarded depression major depressive disorder characterized by signs and symptoms of psychomotor retardation, such as burdened movements and slowed, toneless speech.

situational depression reactive depression.

unipolar depression a type that is not accompanied by episodes of mania or hypomania, such as major depressive disorder or dysthymic disorder. The term is sometimes used more specifically as a synonym of major depressive disorder.

---

depression,

n a condition identified by loss of energy and ability or desire to function, poor sleep or appetite, and/or exaggerated feelings of hopelessness and discouragement.

---

depression (dēpresh´n),

n 1. a decrease of functional activity.
n 2. a pitted area on a tooth or other anatomic surface.

depression, developmental,

n depression seen in a defined region on a tooth.

depression, mandible,

n the lowering of the mandible caused by rotational movement of the temporomandibular joint.

depression, postpartum,

n a moderate to severe form of depression that occurs in women beginning approximately 2 to 3 weeks after childbirth as a result of physical and psychologic factors. Symptoms include fatigue, loss of appetite, and lack of enthusiasm for everyday activities.

depression, psychologic,

n a clinical syndrome of neurotic or psychotic proportions, consisting of lowering of mood tone (feelings of painful dejection), difficulty in thinking, and psychomotor retardation. As commonly used, depression ordinarily refers only to the mood element, which would be more appropriately labeled dejection, sadness, gloominess, despair, or despondency. Many such patients lack motivation and concern for their oral health or dental needs.

---

depression

1. a hollow or depressed area.

2. a lowering or decrease of functional activity.

3. decreased interest in surroundings, decreased response to external stimuli. The least degree in a range of depressive mental states. See also somnolence, lassitude, narcolepsy, catalepsy, syncope, coma.

---

depression fracture

important in the skull where they may penetrate brain tissue, introduce infection, or cause pressure on the brain because of hemorrhage or hematoma formation.

---

depression

Downward rotation of an eye. It is accomplished by the inferior rectus and superior oblique muscles. It can be induced by using base-up prisms. Syn. infraduction; deorsumduction.

---

depression

Dejection, low spirits Psychiatry A spectrum of affective disorders characterized by attenuation of mood, accompanied by psychogenic pain, diminution of self-esteem, retardation of thought processes, psychomotor sluggishness, disturbances of sleep and appetite, and not uncommonly, suicidal ideation; depression can be triggered by stressful life events, associated with medical or mental disorders, or may be idiopathic Clinical Apathy, anorexia, lack of emotion–flat affect, social withdrawal, fatigue Types Major depression, dysthymia, bipolar disorder; depression may run in families. See Anaclitic depression, Bipolar disorder, Clinical depression, DART, Depressive disorders, Double depression, Endogenous depression, Inbreeding depression, Major depression, Masked depression, Postoperative depression, Postpartum depression, Reactive depression.

Depression

Atypical depression A term retired from the DSM, which some clinicians NEJM 1991; 325: 633 use to refer to combinations of mood reactivity, including anhedonia, overeating, oversleeping, chronic poor self-esteem; those with AD are thought to have a better response to MAOIs

Major depressive disorder-recurrent A condition defined as

A. 2 or more major depressive episodes–MDE, which is defined as ≥ 5 of the following present during the same 2-week period, and represent a change from previous functioning and at least one of the 5 is either 1. depressed mood or 2. loss of interest

 1. Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated either subjectively–self or by observation of others–eg, tearfulness or in children irritability

 2. Marked decreased interest or pleasure in all or most activities for most of the day, nearly every day for the defining period

 3. Significant–≥5%, unintentional weight loss or weight gain or loss of appetite

 4. Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day

 5. Psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day

 6. Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day

 7. Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt nearly every day

 8. Decreased ability to concentrate or think nearly every day

 9. Recurrent thoughts of death, recurrent suicidal ideation and/or suicidal plans

B. The MDE is not better explained for by schizoaffective disorder, or is not superimposed on schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, delusional disorder, or psychotic disorder NOS

C. There has never been a manic episode or hypomanic episode

Melancholic depression Endogenous depression Characterized by pervasive sadness, hopelessness, loss of interest in activities, and physical symptoms, eg weight loss, sleep problems; in MD, there may be an ↑ 'threshold' that requires little external input to initiate recurrence

Reactive depression–an excess response to stressful life events

---

Patient discussion about depression.

Q. how am i supposed to deal with depression?

A. I was diagnosed as bipolar when I was 14. I have struggled with failed marriages, deaths, losing my kids, drug addiction and childhood abuse....that would make anyone depressed, right? But you have to understand that most people that are depressed don't even know it. They think this is just the way things are and death is the only relief. But you have made the biggest step towards your treatment and that is admitting that you are depressed and need some help. I would definitely try to find a support group. I know going to that first meeting can seem like the first day at a new school but believe me everyone in that room has been right were you are right now. Learn from others mistakes and triumphs. Take what you need and leave the rest. The last thing is you might want to talk to your Dr. Maybe an antidepressant would help. I have come to terms with the stigma my illness sometimes brings. But I also know it is an illness just like any other disease. Good luck things will get better.

Q. What is the likelihood of my depression returning? I have a history of severe depression. My mom is very against medication and counseling, and reluctantly allowed me to go on the lowest dosage of zoloft. It helped, but now she wants me to go off of it and stop going to my doctor. My fear is that my depression will return. What are the chances of my depression returning, and how can I handle it if and when it does?

A. Thanks y'all. It's really comforting to know that at least someone cares... and that I am not the only one going through such a thing.
So really - thanks!

Q. I was diagnosed with depression and have taken a whole host of antidepressants. I’m Mark, 29 years old male. I was diagnosed with depression and have taken a whole host of antidepressants. My eyes are extremely blurry, I’m worrying about that. Does this side effect go away with time, or is it permanent while on medications?

A. If you've got blurrly vision becuase of a medication, you need to go see that doctor who prescribed it, and see if there is another medication that won't have side effects for you. I know everyone is different.

Welbutrin made me itch all over and the doctor changed me to something else.

The trouble with depression medication, is that its not so wise to decide by yourself to stop taking it. That's well documented.

With blurry vision, that could be unsafe for driving and can affect your work and daily activity. There are alternative medications. The side effects for one patient may not be there for others.

You can look up side effects of your particular medication on the internet right now. You might be able to find out more helpful info.
Maybe your dosage is not right?? That's doctor stuff... Go see your doctor ASAP.