Psychology-Suicide

Unipolar Depression.html

Unipolar Depression

Unipolar depression is the umbrella category of depressive disorders. The defining feature of a unipolar disorder, as opposed to a bipolar disorder, is the marked absence of manic episodes. In the DSM-5, unipolar depression falls under the chapter of Depressive Disorders, some of which includes disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, major depressive disorder, and persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia).

Unipolar depression may be accompanied by panic attacks or other anxiety disorder symptoms including separation anxiety in children. Depression can also be influenced or caused by drug/medications as well as a medical condition.

Unipolar depression is also correlated with sleep apnea. Some people have also found that when sleep apnea is treated, their depression goes into remission. Similarly, some people who receive bariatric surgery for obesity also achieve remission of their depression symptoms.

Children with depression are more likely to demonstrate irritability and anger, as well as impulsivity and hyperactivity. Adolescents with depression tend to demonstrate more anger than sadness as well as impulsivity but less hyperactivity.

Elderly adults have higher risks of depressive symptoms related to grief (due to increased frequency of losses) and medical conditions. These symptoms (e.g., memory lapse, diminished problem solving) may be difficult to distinguish from those related to dementia.

Women are diagnosed with depression more often than men. Moreover, men are more likely to express anger or irritability than sadness as well as fatigue and loss of interest in pleasurable activities.

Some cultures describe depressive symptoms in the form of body complaints. For example, Latino and Mediterranean cultures may complain headaches or problems with "nerves." Fatigue or "imbalance" may be frequent complaints of many Asian cultures.