By Dr. Oz and Dr. Michael Roizen
Oprah.com |
March 17, 2009
An Excerpt from YOU: Being Beautiful Major Depression This is a major depressive episode longer than two weeks with at least five of the seven following symptoms: - sleep alteration - decreased interest in activities - feelings of guilt - decreased energy - difficulty concentrating - alteration in appetite - thoughts of suicide
Situational Depression Greater than two months with the above symptoms after suffering a significant life change, such as bereavement or retirement. Significantly, your symptoms improve with time after the major event, so most therapists feel that your long-term functioning is better if you can manage to get though this without drugs.
Vascular Depression Depression that commonly occurs after a brain or blood-vessel disorder, such as a stroke, or after a heart attack or heart surgery. Patients with lesions in the left hemisphere of the brain, especially of the left prefrontal cortex, tend to have increased frequency and severity of depression. The greatest risk period of depression following a stroke appears to be the first two years afterward, peaking within the first three to six months.
