Depression Types, Treatment and News: Mental Health Awareness Highlighted During National Minority Health Awareness Month 2016
One of the world's major problems today is mental health. With endless crimes, tragedies, calamities, and racial tensions that are happening nowadays, people are becoming more at risk to develop mental illnesses such as depression.
This kind of illness affects everyone. However, a research study suggests that depression is more frequent among members of minority groups than among Whites due to greater health burdens and lack of health insurance.
National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
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Advocates have begun to promote mental health awareness especially among minority groups. One of these people was Bebe Moore Campbell. She advocated for mental health education and support for minorities.
Thus, in 2008, the US House of Representatives finally announced July as the National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month (NMMHAM), also known as the Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. The NMMHAM was established to achieve two goals: (1) to improve access to mental health treatment and services; and (2) to raise public awareness about mental illnesses among the minority group.
Depression
According to the 5fth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM 5), depression is commonly characterized by the presence of sad, empty, or irritable mood, accompanied by somatic and cognitive changes that has a significant effect to the individual's ability to function. Like anxiety disorders, depression also comes with several forms which usually differ from duration.
Forms of Depression
Three of the most common forms of depression are the following:
1. Major depressive disorder
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the classic condition of depression. It is characterized by an extreme feeling of sadness, hopelessness, and helplessness. The severe symptoms affect how a person feel, think, and function in daily activities such as sleeping, eating, or working. People suffering from MDD also experience anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure) and present suicide ideations. The symptoms must persist for at least two weeks in order to receive this diagnosis.
2. Persistent depressive disorder
Compared to MDD, persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) is a more chronic form of depression. People with dysthymia may possess less severe depressive symptoms but they usually last for more than two years. In those years, people may also receive a diagnosis of MDD if the symptoms meet its criteria.
3. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
This new form of depression has only been added on the latest edition of the DSM. The most essential features of this diagnosis are the manifestations of mood lability (mood swings), irritability, dysphoria (feelings of discontentment), and anxiety symptoms that frequently occur before the onset of menstruation. These symptoms must have a significant effect to the social or work functioning and must have occurred in most of the menstrual cycles during the past year.
Treatment
Treatment for depression can become a challenge for three reasons: (1) people are not aware that they already have the symptoms of the illness; (2) they are reluctant to seek for professional help due to stigma; (3) access to mental help is limited. Thus, several movements and advocacies like the NMMHAM are being raised in order to minimize these concerns.
Depression is a mental health disorder that needs proper attention and comprehensive treatment. Even the most severe cases of depression can be treated especially if it is treated earlier. Hence, it is extremely important to consult a mental health professional immediately in order to receive proper attention and treatment.
