Do you have Anxiety Depression?
Major depressive disorder (also known as clinical depression, anxiety depression, major depression, unipolar depression, or unipolar disorder) is a mental disorder characterized by low mood accompanied by low self-esteem, and loss of interest or normally pleasurable and desirable activities. The general term depression (anxiety depression) is often used to describe the disorder, but as it can also be used to describe other types of psychological anxiety depression, more precise terminology is preferred for the disorder in clinical and research use. Major anxiety depression is a disabling condition which adversely affects a persons family, work or school life, sleeping and eating habits, and general health.
The diagnosis of major anxiety depressive disorder is based on the patient self-reported experiences, behavior reported by family members or frends, and a mental health exam. Labratory tests really do not exist for anxiety depression, although MDs generally request tests for various physical conditions that may cause the symptoms. Usually, the onset is between the ages of thirty and fourty years, and many times a later peak between fifty and sixty years old. Major anxiety depression is reported about twice as frequently in women as in men, and women attempt suicide more often, although men are at higher risk for completing suicide. Most patients are treated in the community with antidepressant medication and some with psychotherapy or counselling. Hospitalization may be necessary in cases with associated self-neglect or a significant risk of harm to self or others. A minority are treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), under a short-acting general anaesthetic.
The course of anxiety depression varies widely, from one episode lasting months to a lifelong anxiety depressive disorder with recurrent major anxiety depressive episodes. Anxiety Depressed individuals have shorter life expectancies than those without depression, in part because of greater susceptibility to medical illnesses and suicide. Current and former patients may be stigmatized. The understanding of the nature and causes of anxiety depression has evolved over the centuries, though this understanding is incomplete and many aspects of depression are still the subject of discussion and research.
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