Neurotic Depression: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Introduction

Neurotic depression occurs in emotionally unstable people. It presents as depression with anxious and negative thoughts. It influences the person’s behavior, thoughts, and perception. It results in chaos, avoidance, disorientation, and anxiety. These symptoms are expressed by people suffering from neuroses (a mental disorder that causes distress) and substance use. Continuous feelings of tearfulness, despair, and withdrawal from society concern depression. It can occur in anyone, irrespective of gender, age, race, and socioeconomic status.

What Is Neurotic Depression?

Neurotic depression occurs due to long-standing history of neurotic symptoms and personality difficulties. It is mild to moderate chronic depression. It can occur at any age. The person experiences a dark or sad mood. It lasts for many days. The symptoms are not absent for more than two consecutive months. It includes depression that is secondary to personality disorder or substance abuse. Primary depression has a family history of alcoholism. They have familial relationships with anxiety disorders, secondary depression, alcoholism, and personality. Depression is a common problem and serious illness that significantly affects a person's life. It causes a feeling of sadness, emotional disturbances, and loss of interest in activities. It is characterized by distress, anxiety, obsessive thinking, and a certain level of dysfunction in everyday life.

How Common Is Depression?

Depression has become more common nowadays. Studies suggest that nearly 7 % of adults in the United States suffer depression yearly. Around 1 in 6 people young adults in the US experience depression at some point in their lifetime. There are many unknown cases, so the calculated counts are lower than the real count. Because many people with depression do not seek medical help. Approximately five percent of children have depression in the United States.

What Are the Causes of Neurotic Depression?

The exact cause of the depression is unknown. Several factors contribute to depression. They are:

• An imbalance in the neurotransmitters released from the nerve cells can cause depression. The neurotransmitters transmit information from the brain cells to the peripheral tissues and organs. They include dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine (hormones of fright and flight). Dopamine is a pleasure-reward neurotransmitter that plays a vital role in motivation, energy, high sex drive, concentration, and happiness. Low dopamine can affect all these functions.

• If a person has a first-degree blood relative with depression (sibling or parent), they are four times more likely to have depression.

• Chronic pain and chronic conditions can induce neurotic depression. Chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and cancer can affect a person psychologically.

• Substance use and alcohol can make depression worse.

• Loss of loved ones and financial problems can trigger depression.

• Personality traits like low self-esteem, negativity, and being too dependent are contributing factors.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Neurotic Depression?

There will be an episode of major depression and any point, which is called double depression. It is a blended presentation of neurotic and depressive behaviors. The signs and symptoms are similar to other types of depression. The signs and symptoms of depression are:

• Too much worry or guilt.

• Negative attitude and low mood.

• Issues with work, finances, and relationships.

• General instability.

• Irritability and angriness.

• Poor stress response.

• More negative thoughts, emotions, and low self-esteem.

• Feeling empty or hopeless.

• A decrease or increase in appetite can lead to weight gain or loss.

• Trouble concentrating and sleeping (insomnia) or sleeping for a long time (hypersomnia).

• Thoughts of suicide or death.

• Fatigue.

• Experiencing physical issues like sexual dysfunction and stomach ache.

• Self-blame or constant blaming of others.

• Dissatisfaction in life.

How Is Neurotic Depression Diagnosed?

Psychiatrists diagnose depression to assess the symptoms of the person. The diagnosis is made based on the symptoms and understanding of the mental and medical history. Medical tests and blood tests and done to see if there are any underlying medical conditions. Five big personality tests are done to assess the patient’s condition. The five factors considered are:

• Extraversion (efficient vs. careless)

• Openness to experience (curious vs. cautious).

• Agreeableness (friendly vs. challenging).

• Neuroticism (sensitive vs. resilient).

The persons who score low on this test easily get upset and are emotionally stable and free from negative thoughts. The high-score individuals are vulnerable to stress and are emotionally unstable.

What Is the Treatment for Neurotic Depression?

The treatment for neurotic depression includes the following:

• Depression is a treatable condition. It can be treated through holistic intervention and medication management.

• Psychotherapy involves an individual or group of therapy sessions a licensed therapist or psychologist gives. It is an effective treatment for depression.

• Cognitive behavioral therapy helps treat mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. It addresses symptoms such as coping with stressful situations and grief or loss.

• Antidepressants help to manage the levels of neurotransmitters that are responsible for communication in the brain. Depending on the type of symptom, the medication is selected. Some of the antidepressants include Sertraline, Paroxetine, Fluoxetine, and Citalopram.

• Serotionin reuptake inhibitors are medications used to inhibit the reuptake of serotonin by the nerve cells. By altering the chemical activity of serotonin the mood of the patient can be elevated.

• Deep brain stimulation is one of the effective ways of treating depression. Tiny electrodes are placed in the brain that regulates mood. The electrodes are placed in the brain areas responsible for mood and the release of dopamine and serotonin. The electrodes are connected through wires that are connected to a pacemaker-like device. This pacemaker provides electrical impulses to the brain. The treatment improves the mood of the person. It is used for anxiety, Parkinson’s disease, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is a good option for people with treatment-resistant depression. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) are the types of brain stimulation.

• Relaxation and breathing techniques help to relieve muscle tension and anxiety. It encourages a sense of control during stressful situations.

• Yoga consists of body postures and breathing techniques.

• Regular exercise.

• Getting quality sleep.

• Eating a healthy diet.

• Avoid alcohol, which is a depressant.

• Spending time with family and loved ones.

Conclusion

Depression is a mental health condition that includes hopelessness and unhappiness. Studies are conducted to find the potential risk between anxiety and depression. Though it is difficult to treat, there are many ways to move forward.