Medical articles
Learn about the symptoms and types of depression
Medical articles
Reviewed by: Dr. Jamal Boghazi, Consultant Psychiatrist

Symptoms of depression It is recognized by psychiatrists, as depressive disorder or depression is a very common psychological disorder, and this is caused by a disturbance in the mood or loss of interest in activities for a long period of time, and we find that its symptoms differ from the usual mood swings or transient emotions as a result of the challenges of daily life, most notably relationships with family members, friends, and the general community, and every person is vulnerable to exposure to depression, and people who have been exposed to abuse, severe losses, or other difficult situations are more susceptible to depression, according to many 

Symptoms of depression

During a depressive episode, a person suffers from a depressed mood and is sad and irritable. The depressed person may feel a loss of interest in activities. A depressive episode differs from the usual mood swings, and continues throughout the day. Rather, it continues almost every day, up to at least two weeks. We find that Symptoms of depression منها ما يلي:

  • Poor concentration. 
  • Constant feelings of guilt or low self-esteem. 
  • Complete despair about the future. 
  • Thinking a lot about death or suicide. 
  • Suffering from a sleep disorder. 
  • Fluctuations in appetite or weight. 
  • Constant feeling of fatigue or lack of energy. 
  • Suffering in all aspects of life at home, work and school.

يمكنك قراءة Depressive disorders in children causes symptoms and treatment options

A depressive episode is classified as mild, moderate, or severe depending on the number of symptoms, their severity, and the extent of their impact on the performance of the affected individual.

Types of depression

Types of depression are divided into several types based on severity Symptoms of depression What the patient suffers from and how long these symptoms persist. Some individuals suffer from symptoms that are mild and temporary, but others suffer from bouts of depression that are described as severe and persistent. Therefore, psychological depression is divided into two main types, which are as follows:

  • Major depressive disorder

Major Depressive Disorder or MDD, or what is known as clinical depression, is one of the most severe forms of depression. The person suffers from persistent symptoms for up to two weeks, and has a group of symptoms including loss of hope, sadness all the time, and loss of self-esteem, in addition to suffering from significant weight gain or loss. Clinical depression includes several types, including the following:

  • Psychotic depression ( Psychotic Depression).
  • Depression Bipolar Disorder.
  • Postpartum depression.
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder.
  • Persistent depressive disorder

Persistent Depressive Disorder or PDD, which is known as partial depression, chronic depression, or what is called persistent dysthymia, and among its symptoms is that the individual suffers from the continuation of symptoms for a period of not less than two years. The symptoms are mild to moderate and not severe. Symptoms of chronic depression include the person’s loss of interest in daily activities, the person’s self-esteem decreases, as well as his lack of productivity in general. 

Depression patterns

There are many different patterns of depressive episodes that appear Symptoms of depression It includes the following:

  • A single episode of depressive disorder

This is the first and only seizure that this person has. 

  • Frequency of depressive disorder

The person must have previously suffered from depressive episodes at least once in a while. 

  • Bipolar disorder

It consists of bouts of depression that alternate with periods of manic symptoms, which include euphoria or irritability, as well as increased activity or energy. 

  • Other symptoms

These include excessive talking, racing thoughts, increased self-esteem, lack of need for sleep, loss of concentration, and impulsive and reckless behavior.

احجز استشارتك في Rafah Center for Mental Health At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital

Factors that contribute to depression and ways to prevent it

Depression is the result of a complex interaction between social, psychological, and biological factors. People who have gone through negative experiences, including unemployment, the loss of a loved one, or traumatic events, are more vulnerable to depression. Symptoms of depression The presence of more stress and impaired performance, in addition to a deterioration in the life conditions of the affected person and an exacerbation of the rate of depression. Depression is completely linked to general physical health. There are a group of factors that affect depression, including physical inactivity or harmful alcoholism. Among the known risk factors are diseases including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, as well as diseases of the respiratory system. People with these diseases find themselves suffering from depression because of the difficulties they face related to the treatment of their condition.

We find that prevention programs help reduce depression, and school programs contribute to... Enhance Positive coping style in children and adolescents, where interventions for parents of children who suffer from behavioral problems help reduce Symptoms of depression They and their parents improve the level of their children, and exercise programs for the elderly may be necessary in preventing depression.

Diagnosis and treatment

There is an effective treatment for depression that includes psychotherapy and medications, and it requires the necessary care when it appears Symptoms of depression Psychological treatments are the first treatments for depression, and are combined with antidepressant medications in cases of moderate and severe depression. It is not important to use antidepressant medications in mild depression. 

  • Psychotherapy 

Psychotherapy helps a person learn new ways of thinking, coping, or communicating with others. This is through talk therapy treatments with specialists and therapists trained at the highest level. You can conduct talk therapy in person or via the Internet, and it can be done through books, websites, and special applications that provide self-help. Effective psychological treatments for depression include the following:   

In addition, it includes antidepressant medications to recapture serotonin, such as fluoxetine, and health care providers need to keep in mind the side effects that may result from antidepressant medications. 

Such medications should not be used to treat depression in children. It is important that they are not considered the first choice for use in treating adolescents, and that extreme attention be paid when they are used in their treatment. In addition to these options, there are many other medications that are approved by the treating physician. You can seek help from Al Mousa Specialist Hospital and you will find the best specialists there.

  • Self-care

Self-care plays an important role in treating... Symptoms of depression It helps in enhancing overall wellness, as you can do the following:

  • Continuing to do activities that he used to enjoy. 
  • Stay in touch with friends and family members. 
  • ممارسة الرياضة بانتظام.
  • Adhere to regular eating and sleeping habits as much as possible. 
  • Avoid or limit alcoholic beverages and prevent the use of illicit drugs that may worsen depression. 
  • Talk to someone you trust about your feelings. 
  • Seek help from a health care provider. 
  • Always remember that you are not alone, and that many have gone through what you are going through and have received help. 
  • Talking to a health worker, such as a doctor or counsellor. 
  • Join a support group. 
  • Call any available emergency services if you think you are in danger of harming yourself. 

Complications of depression

The risks of depression and its complications vary in severity from moderate to severe and include the following:

  • Affected mental and physical health.
  • Having excess weight or obesity.
  • Loss of ability to perform activities of daily living.
  • There is a disturbance in relationships with others, including family and work relationships.
  • drug addiction.
  • Lack of ability to live and constant thoughts of suicide.

What does a depressed person feel?

A depressed person goes through several states and patterns: 

  • الخمول. 
  • Anxiety and disorder. 
  • Sleeping for longer or shorter periods. 
  • Change in appetite. 
  • قلة التركيز. 
  • Frequent thoughts of suicide. 

متى يجب زيارة الطبيب؟

There are signs that appear on a person that make him immediately resort to a doctor, and we recommend heading to Al Mousa Specialist Hospital, one of the best hospitals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, if any of these symptoms appear: 

  • Face symptoms of depression at all times.
  • The effect of bad mood on daily life and relationships with others.
  • Frequent thoughts of suicide or self-harm. 

Frequently asked questions 

What is silent depression?

It is a type of depression that differs from the traditional type, where the patient deliberately tries to hide his symptoms, or the symptoms are not clear to others. He appears as a normal person smiling, but in reality he loses passion for life, feels deep sadness that he hides behind a fake smile, and is not interested in doing many daily activities. It is known as smiling depression. 

What is delusional depression?

One of the most difficult types of serious mental illnesses that combines both psychosis and major depression, where the patient holds and believes in a set of false beliefs, which consists of an intense feeling of sadness followed by a group of unclear hallucinations. 

What are the symptoms of depression relapse?

A feeling of extreme fatigue, lethargy, and lack of feeling, with a feeling of extreme sadness, frustration, and a feeling of loneliness and emptiness, in addition to a lack of interest in doing the required daily activities, in addition to extreme difficulty in concentrating or making decisions with a feeling of despair, with sleep disturbances and loss of appetite, in addition to a feeling of distress and a decline in self-confidence. 

Symptoms of depression We have identified it in detail through this article, and to learn about its seriousness and how to treat it correctly, we recommend it for you Al Mousa Specialist Hospital It is considered one of the best medical edifices for providing comprehensive health care in Al-Ahsa and was established in 1996 to be among the top 10 hospitals in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. The hospital provides you with completely safe treatment while ensuring that the patient’s privacy is maintained and the ability to communicate with the treating medical team at any time.

المصادر والمراجع:

Depression  – clevelandclinic

Depression – mayoclinic

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