How Do You Know If You Are Suffering From Low-Grade or Major Depression? Here’s What Studies Find
The former first lady herself, Michelle Obama confessed via her “The Michelle Obama Podcast” that she too was going through the particular condition.
Since her revelation on her "The Michelle Obama Podcast," the topic of low-grade depression has gained so much attention.
The former first lady herself, Michelle Obama, confessed via the podcast that she, too, was going through the particular condition.
On the popular audio platform, Obama said she's waking up in the middle of the night as she's worried about something or, there is "a heaviness" that she feels.
By feeling such, the former first lady shared, she knew that she was dealing "some form of low-grade depression" adding that she was trying to make sure "I get a workout it," though there have been periods during this pandemic when, she said, she's just feeling really low.
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Low-Level Depression
Harvard Health Publishing describes low-grade or low-level depression as a "mood, like color," it has an array of hues from the "bright shades of happiness to the dark ones of depression."
This level of depression, Harvard explains, is a mood problem that's down in the dark array, although it does not quite reach the depression level. This is also known as "dysthymia."
Dysthymia pertains to a long-lasting buzz of low-level depression that can last for at least one year in kids and teenagers, and two years among adults.
Although it is not essential as alarming as major depression, dysthymia's persistent hold can keep an individual from feeling good and impeding his work, family, school, day-to-day activities, and even social life.
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Signs and Symptoms of Low-Grade Depression
One is suffering from low-grade depression if depression and anxiety hit him during most of the day. He carries out daily obligations, although without much enthusiasm for his life.
A depressed mood, according to Harvard, "Usually stays for more than two months at a time." More so, it is typically accompanied by at least two of the following signs and symptoms:
- Loss of appetite or eating too much
- Sleep disorder
- Fatigue
- Lack of self-confidence
- Unable to focus and make decisions
- Feeling hopeless
This kind of depression lasts for five years on average. Again, this is another way to differentiate low-level depression from a major depression wherein relatively minor incidents can be parted by significant spans of time.
Experts say it is possible for one incident of major depression to take place on top of a low-grade depression or dysthymia. This episode is also called the "double depression."
Treatment
A study presents a three-step method to treat dysthymia. The authors claim that there is no specific treatment that works for all.
However, a lot of people suffering from this depression respond to talk therapy or "psychotherapy," antidepressant, both combined.
Specifically, treatment for low-grade depression is frequently divided into three phases. These include the acute phase, the continuation phase, and the maintenance phase.
During the acute phase, the main goal is to dismiss the symptoms. This, according to research, frequently takes place "within four to eight weeks." However, it may take much longer, depending on one's reaction to the initial treatments.
Under the continuation phase, one works with a doctor to maximize his improvement. Further adjustments with the treatments are done during this period. Among them is the modification of dosages of medicines, or adjusting the number and frequency of therapy sessions. This phase may last for four to five months.
Finally, during the maintenance phase, once the mood becomes controllable, the goal then is to preempt the emergence of dysthymia. Also, during this period, ongoing treatment is frequently essential, especially if the patient has suffered from several incidents.
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Aug 19, 2020 07:36 AM EDT
