A Manic Episode including at least 3 of these or 4 if there is irritabity:
- Inflated self esteem or grandiosity
- Decreased need for sleep
- pressure of speech
- Flight of ideas
- Distractability
- Increased involvement in goal directed activities
- Psychomotor agitation
- Excessive involvement in pleasurable activities with a high potential for painful consequences
Bi-Polar I would include one or more manic episodes, including abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive or irritable mood that has last at least a week. Bi-Polar II would include one or more Major Depressive Episodes. Cyclothymic Disorder would be defined as numerous periods with hypomanic symptoms and numerous periods with depressive symptoms.
Another category is Mood Disorder due to a General Medical Condition. The DSM-IV defines that as "Prominent and persistent disturbance in mood that is judged to be due to the direct physiological effects of a general medical condition."
Substance Induced Mood Disorder would be prominent and persistent disturbance in mood that is judged to be due to the direct psychological effects of a substance.
The following is not meant as medical advice, please use for information purposes only.
Drugs and psychotherapy together is considered more effective than either alone in the treatment of depression. There are different classes of medication. One class is called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI). They have fewer side effects and are usually short lived. Examples of SSRI’s that seem popular are Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, and Celexa.
Another class of drugs are Tricyclic antidepressants, they have been used since the 1960's. Some examples of those are Tofranil and Elavil.
There are some natural herbs and naturally occurring chemicals that are used to treat depression. Some examples are Sam-e which is used for more severe depression, St. John’s Wart, used for milder forms of depression, Kava Kava, used for reducing anxiety, B-6 which is found in whole grains, nuts, fish and white meat.
Some people are opposed to the use of medication, believing that a person can be healed without the use of drugs. I believe that the Lord can use medication to assist a person’s healing. Medication can be seen as a bridge to help a person get from where they are to a different place mentally. People with mild depression do not have to be on medication their whole life.
Some people use exercise as a way to combat depression. Research has found that people who walk, run or strength train three times per week 20 to 60 minutes were significantly less depressed after five weeks. They found that if they continued the exercise the improvement lasted up to one year. Researchers say that exercise is a viable treatment option for mild to moderate depression, they believe that it has to do with activating the endorphins which are the bodies natural painkiller.
Another way to combat depression appears to be connected with having someone who shows interest in you. In a study in London they paired women with "befrienders." The befrienders were instructed to be confidants to the depressed women, meeting them regularly for chats over coffee or outings. Among the women who saw their volunteer friends regularly throughout the year; 72% experienced a remission in depression compared to the control group which is aout the same success rate as antidepressants or cognitive (talk therapy).
Some do’s and don’ts: Don’t isolate yourself, don’t make major life decisions when depressed, exercise at least three days a week, eat balanced meals and healthy food, don’t blame yourself for your depression, take your medication, set small goals for yourself, get information about depression, call your doctor.
Blessings,
Carol
2006 Copyright by Carol A. Deel, MS, LCPC, LCMFT, All Rights Reserved. No part of this may be reproduced by any means without the written permission of the copyright owner.
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