What Exactly Is Agitated Depression?
Most people have heard of depression. Advertisements are everywhere for it but few people realize just how many aspects there are to depression and just how many types of depression there are. Depression is separated into types based on the various sets of symptoms, which are exhibited by the person suffering. One of these types is called Agitated Depression. By definition, Agitated Depression is a depressive episode that is driving by hypomanic behaviors. As with any type of depression, there are a wide number of symptoms, which can occur depending on the person.
Break Down Of Symptoms For Agitated Depression
In order to be diagnosed with Agitated Depression you must have the following symptoms in order to meet the criteria. You must be suffering from a depressive episode, which qualifies major and have a minimum of two of the following symptoms, motor agitation, psychic agitation or an intense inner tension, racing thoughts, or thoughts, which are crowded. Motor agitation is the inability to remain stationary, psychic agitation is also known as mental agitation, which means a state of emotional or mental distress. This may or may not include or be contributed by racing or crowded thoughts.
Surprisingly or perhaps not so surprisingly, Agitated Depression falls under major depressive episode rather than mixed bipolar disorder, which it more closely resembles. This is according to the DSM-III-R. There are other forms of Agitated Depression. The clinical forms are Psychotic which has the proposed name of Melancholia, Non-psychotic which follows the RDC criteria, and may qualify as an excite factor for anxious depression.
Agitated Depression also shows up in Bipolar I. It is not rare, however it needs to be properly diagnosed since it can have a large impact not only on the prognosis but also on the treatment plan. To qualify for Agitated Major Depressive Disorder you must have two of the following symptoms for more than two days during any episode, pacing, hand wringing, motor agitation, outbursts of shouting, or complaining, inability to stop talking, and/or pulling on hair, skin, or clothing.
Depression is a serious illness, if left untreated it can have serious and some times fatal implications not just for the person suffering but also for those around them. If you or someone you know seems to be suffering from these symptoms see a qualified medical profession or encourage the person suffering to get help. Receiving help can make all the difference in taking back control of your life and getting back to enjoying the world around you.
