This is a state of psychomotor retardation where there is physical and mental slowness of activities the mood resembles sadness or grief but patient continues like that for a long time.
Depression is characterised by the loss of an individuals sense of his life own value ability to enjoy any aspect of his life.
Types of depression
There are three types depression, namely
- Reactive or exogenous depression
- Endogenous or primary depression
- Secondary depression
Reactive exogenous depression
As the name implies it is caused by individual reacting to catasytophy (disaster)(bad/sad) events e.g.
- Death of loved one failure in examination
- Loss of job.
- Sudden change of environmental
- Unhappy marriage
- Disappointment
Endogenous depression
This is due to constitutional pre disposition i.e. when one is constitutionally introvert (very quiet man of thought rather than of action.
Physical treatment: (ECT) electroconsive hereby is very effective in the treatment of this condition.
Complication:
- Suicide
- Mal-nutrition
- Drug abuse
- Worsening of co-existing physical problem e.g. diabetes, T.B. etc.
Prognosis: prognosis if poor because depression tends to re occur, to improve prognosis, patient needs adequate emotional support especially from the relatives, friend and neighbours.
