Clinical Depression
Clinical Depression
Clinical depression is different from the usual mood fluctuations and short-lived emotional responses to challenges in everyday life. Particularly when long-lasting with moderate to severe intensity.
Severe depression is a serious health condition, and at its worst, can lead to suicide. At any given time 1 in 10 people live with clinical depression and anxiety.
Current research suggests that when small electrical currents are induced in the prefrontal cortex of the brain, there is an increase in blood flow and glucose metabolism, leading to increased neuron activity which elevates mood and executive functions of the pre-frontal cortex.
The rTMS stimulation in the left pre-frontal cortex that regulates mood activates brain cells via an excitatory pattern and this triggers a cascade of neurochemical events, including the release of neurotransmitters (serotonin and dopamine) to normalise neurotransmitter function.
Whо gеtѕ clinical dерrеѕѕiоn?
About 5 in 100 adults hаvе severe depression every уеаr. Sometimes it iѕ mild or lasts just an fеw weeks. Hоwеvеr, аn ерiѕоdе оf depression serious enough to require treatment occurs in about 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men at ѕоmе point in their lives.
Sоmе реорlе have two оr mоrе episodes оf depression at various times in their lives.
Whаt аrе the symptoms of clinical depression?
Mаnу people know when they have depression. Hоwеvеr, ѕоmе people do not rеаliѕе when they are depressed. Thеу mау know that they are nоt right and аrе not functioning well but don’t know why. Some реорlе think that they hаvе a рhуѕiсаl illness – fоr еxаmрlе if they lоѕе weight.
- Difficulty concentrating & decision making
- Fatigue and decreased energy
- Feelings of guilt & worthlessness
- Feelings of pessimism
- Insomnia
- Physical symptoms
- Irritability, restlessness & anxiety
- Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable
- Overeating or appetite loss
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
TMS can benefit people with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Since you know when your SAD period is likely to begin and end, you can plan ahead and schedule a round of TMS during that timeframe. One course of treatment could carry you through the season, without the downside of tapering off medication after it’s over.
SAD Symptoms
Since SAD is a type of depression, the signs and symptoms associated with this disorder are similar to those of major depression, and include:
- Persistent sadness & low mood
- Irritability
- Low motivation
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering things
Other symptoms can vary between winter-pattern and summer-pattern SAD. Common symptoms of summer-pattern SAD include:
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- poor appetite
- Agitation & Restlessness
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