Depression

Depression can be a very distressful situation or event to the patient. Depressed patients go through a variety of emotions, ranging from melancholia to autism. There are four distinguishing characteristics used to assess if a patient is depressed. They are:

• Hopelessness
• Helplessness
• Worthlessness
• Guilt
• (So call HHWG)

Several symptoms complex can mask the diagnoses of depression. The patient and physician may spend countless man and woman hours of testing and diagnosis upon diagnosis without clearly fathoming the obvious.

Most depressed patients however suffer from

• Indecisiveness
• Loss of interest in usual activities
• Social withdrawals
• Thoughts of death/suicide
• Sleep disorders
• Incessant and "no reason" crying

For definitive diagnosis and proper treatment psychiatry evaluation is deemed appropriate. Depression needs to be treated just like any other disease entity.

They're maybe a strong genetic component to adolescent and patient in their 20's who are depressed. Most suicidal ideations and behaviors in this age group stem from depression. Symptom-complex for this patient population is similar to adults but is magnified by events in the patient life. Younger patients are less likely to voice their inner feelings and moods that adults and sometimes perceive such actions as weak. Early warnings signs of depression in this age group are

• Poor performances in school for no reason in a higher achieving student
• Introverts with withdrawal from society
• Delinquent acts that are not provoked

Treatment:
In office treatment starts with proper diagnosis, reassurance and an acute sense for that patient who may be suicidal or homicidal. These patients need immediate attention and in-patient management.

For the rest of the patient outpatient therapy should be appropriate and medication selection should be wisely chosen. When in doubt a psychiatry evaluation and treatment initiation may be indicated.