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Mar 4, 2024 · Melancholic depression, also called melancholia, is a serious type of depression. Researchers think this type of depression mainly affects your central nervous system. About 25%-30%...
- Overview
- Symptoms of Melancholic Depression
- Diagnosing Melancholic Depression
- Treatments for Melancholic Depression
- Suicide prevention
The melancholic features of depression can include loss of pleasure, difficulty sleeping, weight loss, feelings of despair, and more.
Melancholic depression is a form of major depressive disorder (MDD) thatxf presents with melancholic features. Although melancholic depression used to be seen as a distinct disorder, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) no longer recognizes it as a separate mental illness. Instead, melancholia is now seen as a specifier for MDD — that is, a subtype of major depressive disorder.
MDD is a significant mental health condition characterized by persistent and intense feelings of sadness and hopelessness. The disorder can affect many areas of life, including work, school, and relationships. It may also impact mood and behavior as well as various physical functions, such as appetite and sleep. People with MDD often lose interest in activities they once enjoyed and have trouble getting through the day. Occasionally, they may also feel as if life isn’t worth living.
The severity and type of MDD symptoms vary greatly from person to person. Some people experience traditional symptoms of MDD, while others develop additional syndromes, such as melancholia and catatonia. Most symptoms can be managed with treatment, which may consist of medication and talk therapy.
People with melancholic depression may experience symptoms of MDD, such as:
•persistent feelings of extreme sadness for a long period of time
•loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable
•having a lack of energy or feeling fatigued
•feeling anxious or irritable
•eating too much or too little
The APA no longer recognizes melancholic depression as a distinct form of depression, and it is listed as a type of MDD. When someone shows signs of depression and melancholia, the diagnosis is “major depressive disorder with melancholic features.” To make this diagnosis, a doctor will usually ask some of the following questions:
•Do you have difficulty getting out of bed and getting started in the morning?
•Are your symptoms generally worse in the morning or in the evening?
•How do you sleep?
•Has there been a change in your sleep patterns?
•What does a typical day look like for you?
MDD is often treated with newer antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These include well-known medications, such as fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa), or paroxetine (Paxil). However, many people who have MDD with melancholic features may respond better to older antidepressants such as the tricyclic antidepressants or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), as well as serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, such as venlafaxine (Effexor). These medications help inhibit the breakdown of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, resulting in higher amounts of these “feel good” chemicals. Sometimes, certain atypical antipsychotics such as Abilify (aripiprazole) may be used to augment the effects of antidepressants.
In addition to medication, talk therapy is commonly used to treat people who have MDD with melancholic features. A combination of these two treatment methods is usually more effective than either approach on its own. Talk therapy involves meeting with a therapist on a regular basis to discuss symptoms and related issues. It can show people how to:
•adjust to a crisis or other stressful event
•replace negative beliefs and behaviors with positive, healthy ones
•improve communication skills
•cope with challenges and solve problems
If you think someone is at immediate risk of self-harm or hurting another person:
•Call 911 or your local emergency number.
•Stay with the person until help arrives.
•Remove any guns, knives, medications, or other things that may cause harm.
•Listen, but don’t judge, argue, threaten, or yell.
If you think someone is considering suicide, get help from a crisis or suicide prevention hotline. Try the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.
Oct 14, 2022 · Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn't worth living.
Nov 3, 2022 · Depression with melancholic features — also known as melancholic depression or melancholia — is a depression specifier characterized by a total lack of pleasure. Symptoms of...
Dec 27, 2023 · Melancholic depression, also sometimes known as melancholia, is a severe form of major depressive disorder. People experience a complete loss of pleasure, a slowing down of activity, and feelings of profound despair. Trauma, family history, and brain chemistry can contribute to its onset, but melancholic depression is strongly tied to genetic ...
- Marcia Purse
May 30, 2022 · It is a mood disorder that causes persistent low moods and can affect a person’s ability to carry out everyday activities such as working, eating, and sleeping. Many...
Oct 27, 2023 · If you experience some of the following signs and symptoms of depression nearly every day for at least 2 weeks, you may be living with depression: feeling sad, anxious, or “empty”. feeling ...
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related to: what does melancholy mean depressionHelp Your Doctor Better Understand Your Symptoms & See If This Add-On Treatment May Help. Take The Symptom Questionnaire & Share The Results With Your Doctor.
Learn how this treatment for MDD is different. You may be able to pay as little as $10. See how you can get started by connecting with a healthcare provider.
