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| Standard Definition |
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Depression is a mood disorder in which life experiences of loss, anger, sadness, hopelessness or frustration outweigh a person's ability to effectively cope with daily experiences. To make a diagnosis of depression, five or more symptoms must be present and last at least 2 weeks. Diagnosis should be undertaken with a medical practitioner, counsellor, psychologist, social worker, or psychiatrist, since it may be crucial for determining appropriate treatment. |
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| Underlying Disruption in Function |
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Depression can be a response to stressful events, hormonal imbalances, biochemical abnormalities, or other physiological causes. For example, depression can be caused by low thyroid function or anaemia. Suicidal depression often requires prescription antidepressants, whilst mild-to-moderate depression is often best treated with counselling, lifestyle adjustments and natural remedies. |
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| Possible Causes, Triggers & Exacerbating Factors |
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- Food allergies, including dairy, wheat, food chemicals
- Excessive caffeine and sugar
- Inadequate sleep and/or exercise
- Unsatisfying relationships
- Oral Contraceptive Pill and other medications
- Anaemia
- Hypothyroid function
- Hormonal imbalance (eg. PMS, postnatal)
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| Common Signs & Symptoms |
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- Insomnia (especially early morning awakening) or hypersomnia
- Significant change in appetite and/or either weight loss or weight gain
- Fatigue and loss of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness, self-reproach, inappropriate guilt
- Extremely poor concentration
- Either feelings of agitation, restlessness, and irritability or near complete inactivity and withdrawal
- Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
- Feelings of hopelessness
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| Possible Additional Integrative Medicine Diagnostic Tests |
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This is additional information that does not replace nor negate conventional diagnosis. Other tests may be useful depending on the individual circumstance.
- Heavy Metal and Toxicity assessment
- Allergy and food intolerance testing
- Hormone tests
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