Depression and related illnesses

Posted by Master, Doctor Mai Vien Phuong - Department of Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital

Depression is a fairly common disease today, classified as a mood disorder. Each person can experience depression in different ways and have severe consequences in life.
Some medical conditions commonly associated with depression include:

During a certain depressive episode, the person will experience bipolar disorder and dramatic mood swings. A diagnosis of bipolar 1 depression requires only the presence of manic episodes.
Symptoms of depression in people with bipolar disorder may include:
Loss of interest or enjoyment in normal activities; Feeling sad, worried, anxious, or empty; No energy or struggle to complete tasks; Difficulty remembering or remembering; Too much sleep or insomnia; Weight gain or weight loss due to increased or decreased appetite; Contemplation of death or suicide. If bipolar disorder is treated, people with depression will experience less severe symptoms.

Depression and anxiety can occur at the same time in patients. Many studies have shown that 70% of people with depressive disorders also have symptoms of anxiety.
Although they have different causes, depression and anxiety can have the same symptoms:
Irritability; Difficulty with memory or concentration; Sleep problems. For patients with depression and anxiety, treatment methods such as:
Cognitive behavioral therapy; Medicine; Alternative therapies, including hypnosis; If you think you are experiencing symptoms of one of these conditions or both, contact a specialist right away to determine the symptoms, severity, and effective treatment.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a type of anxiety disorder. It causes the person to repeat unwanted thoughts, urges, or fears (phobias) over and over again.
People diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder frequently find themselves with obsessions and compulsions, leading to withdrawal from friends or social situations, with a consequent increased risk of depression .
Nowadays, it is not uncommon for someone with obsessive-compulsive disorder to also experience depression. This condition can also occur in children. Therefore, as soon as the symptoms of the disease are detected, it is necessary to go to the hospital to be examined by a specialist so that there can be timely treatment methods.

Currently, some people are diagnosed with major depression with psychosis. When two conditions occur together, it is called a depressive disorder.
Depressive psychosis causes people to see, hear, believe or smell things that are not real. People with this condition may also feel sad, hopeless, and irritable.
The combination of depression and psychosis is especially dangerous, as it can lead to delusions, suicidal thoughts or taking unusual risks.
Until now, medicine has not found the reason why depression and psychosis can coexist. However, with early detection and proper treatment, symptoms can be alleviated. Treatment for depression and psychosis includes medication and electrical stimulation therapy (ECT).

Although pregnancy is often a very happy time for a woman, there are many difficulties to go through. In fact, many mothers, because they can't stand the pressure or the physiological changes during pregnancy, lead to postpartum depression or even during the "9 months and 10 days" period.
Symptoms of depression during pregnancy include:
Change in appetite or eating habits; Feeling hopeless; Worry; Loss of interest in activities and things previously enjoyed; Persistent sadness; Difficulty concentrating or remembering; Sleep problems, including insomnia or sleeping too much; Thoughts of death or suicide. Although some women take antidepressants during pregnancy, it's not clear which is safest. Currently, treatment for depression during pregnancy can focus solely on talk therapy or other natural treatments.
The risk of depression in the mother may continue after the baby is born. Therefore, postpartum depression also known as perinatal-onset major depressive disorder is also considered a serious concern for new mothers.

Research has established a link between alcohol use and depression, and the results show that people with depression are more likely to abuse alcohol. Specifically, of the 20.2 million adults in the United States who have experienced a substance use disorder, about 40% have a persistent mental illness.
Another study done in 2012 also found that 63.8% of alcoholics suffered from depression. Drinking alcohol regularly can make depressive symptoms worse. People with depression are also more likely to abuse alcohol or become dependent on it.
In summary, depression is a temporary or long-term illness and treatments are not always effective. The most important thing for people with depression is the care and help from family, relatives, friends... to make them psychologically comfortable and think less of negative thoughts.
If you suspect that you or your family members have signs of depression, you should immediately go to a reputable hospital to receive help and advice from a doctor to avoid bad consequences.
Psychology Clinic - Vinmec International General Hospital officially came into operation in April 2019, has the function of examining, consulting and outpatient treatment of psychological problems and psychological health. With modern equipment, Vinmec Mental Health Clinic is currently cooperating with experienced professors and experts:
MSc. Doctor Nguyen Van Phi - Psychologist, Vinmec Times City International Hospital: with 7 years of experience working as a lecturer in Psychiatry - Hanoi Medical University, Doctor Psychiatrist at Hanoi Medical University Hospital & Central Geriatric Hospital, and a member of the Vietnam Psychiatric Association. MSc. Dr. Pham Thanh Luan - Psychologist, Vinmec Times City International Hospital: with 5 years of experience in research, examination and treatment of Psychiatric diseases, trained at prestigious universities trust, practice in-depth expertise in the French Republic. MSc. Doctor Nguyen Trong Hien - Psychologist, Vinmec Times City International Hospital: with 6 years as a lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry - Hanoi Medical University and Central Geriatric Hospital, together with Dr. Experience in research, examination and treatment of diseases in Psychiatry such as: emotional disorders, stress-related disorders and body dysmorphic disorders, developmental disorders in children, adolescents & childbirth to lay....