Unipolar depression
Unipolar Depression
Unipolar depression, also known as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act.
Pronunciation
Unipolar depression is pronounced as "yoo-nee-poh-lar de-pre-shun".
Etymology
The term "unipolar depression" is derived from the Latin words "uni" meaning "one" and "polar" meaning "pole". This refers to the single pole or direction of mood, which is down in the case of unipolar depression.
Definition
Unipolar depression is characterized by a persistent feeling of sadness or a lack of interest in outside stimuli. The term "unipolar" refers to the presence of one pole, or one state of mood, which is depression. This differentiates it from bipolar disorder, which refers to the presence of two poles, or two states of mood, which are depression and mania.
Symptoms
Symptoms of unipolar depression can vary among individuals but generally include feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. Other symptoms may include changes in appetite or weight, sleep disturbances, loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty thinking or concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.
Causes
The exact cause of unipolar depression is unknown, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. It is often associated with changes in the brain’s neurotransmitter levels, particularly serotonin and norepinephrine.
Treatment
Treatment for unipolar depression typically involves a combination of medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes. Medications used to treat unipolar depression include antidepressants, which work by balancing chemicals in the brain that affect mood and emotions.
Related Terms
- Antidepressants
- Bipolar Disorder
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Neurotransmitter
- Psychotherapy
- Serotonin
- Norepinephrine
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Unipolar depression
- Wikipedia's article - Unipolar depression
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski