Definition of Unipolar Depression

Unipolar depression is a common mental disorder. Unipolar depression is often called clinical or major depression and sometimes unipolar disorder. With proper treatment, people suffering from unipolar depression are able to lead full, fulfilling lives with very few depressive effects. The term "unipolar" is used to describe a depressive condition unrelated to Bi-polar disorder.

Causes

• Unipolar depression can be caused by a variety of factors. Physical triggers can include an imbalance in the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine or norepinephrine. In some cases, unipolar depression can have psychological causes including developmental causes and low self-esteem. Unipolar depression can also be caused by social triggers, including poverty or abuse.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of unipolar depression include: irritability, physical exhaustion, feelings of despair, hopelessness, uselessness, insomnia and lethargy. People with unipolar depression sometimes have trouble concentrating, have a low sex drive, and describe irrational fears. Some of those fears include fear of death, fear of suicide or fear of committing suicide. People with unipolar depression sometimes exhibit phobias, obsessive or compulsive behavior, symptoms of anxiety or stress disorders and sexual problems.

Treatment

• The proper treatment of unipolar depression will depend on a doctor's analysis of the cause. In cases where the cause appears to a physical brain chemistry imbalance, anti-depressants may be prescribed. In other cases where the triggers appear to be social or psychological, psychotherapy may be prescribed. In yet other cases, a combination of psychotherapy and anti-depressants may be appropriate.

Frequency

• Unipolar depression is fairly frequent and easily treated. Although it is present in younger people, it most commonly begins to appear in people between 20 and 30 years old. Cases of unipolar depression tend to begin to fall in the 50 to 60 year old age group.

Risks

• The risks of not treating unipolar depression include a risk of death by suicide and a risk of a person leading an unhappy and un-fulfilled life. In certain situations, a person suffering from untreated unipolar depression may become violent and become a danger to themselves and other people. With treatment, these risks virtually disappear.

Prognosis

• The prognosis for people with untreated unipolar depression will depend on the severity of the condition. The prognosis for people with mild cases is quite good. However, with severe unipolar depression, the prognosis for an untreated condition is not good. The prognosis for the vast majority of treated cases of unipolar depression is excellent, as the treatment can be varied until the condition subsides.