Understanding the terms and jargon of depression
When your
depression is first diagnosed, you are likely to have to learn a whole
new vocabulary so that you will understand what your medical advisors are
telling you. It will take some time to absorb all the new information,
but you will be surprised at how quickly you start to use these terms and
how they no longer seem strange.
ANXIOLYTICS
- anti-anxiety drugs, also known as tranquillizers. Some types are
addictive.
BEHAVIORAL THERAPY - a program of exposing someone with a phobia
to the source of fear in a series of gradual steps.
BIPOLAR DISORDER - manic depression.
COGNITIVE THERAPY - a talking therapy designed to identify and
challenge negative thought patterns.
DOPAMINE - a monoamine chemical in the brain associated with
gaining pleasure.
ECT - electroconvulsive therapy is a treatment in which an
electric current is passed through the brain to induce a short fit. It is
used to treat severe recurrent depression.
INTERPERSONAL THERAPY - a talking therapy aimed at improving
personal relationships and modifying a depressed person's perceptions.
MAOIS - monoamine oxidize inhibitors are a family of
anti-depressants that slows down the removal of monoamines by the enzyme
monoamine oxidize.
MELATONIN - a hormone derived from serotonin. Raised levels, owing
to lack of sunlight, may cause SAD.
MONOAMINES - a group of chemicals in the brain, which includes
serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline.
NEUROTRANSMITTERS - chemicals involved in the transmission of nerve
impulses; chemical messengers.
NORADRENALINE - a monoamine chemical in the brain involved in
regulating mood and energy.
PSYCHIATRIST - medical doctor with an additional psychiatric
qualification.
PSYCHOSIS - severe mental disorder in which contact with reality
is extremely distorted.
PSYCHOTHERAPY - various therapies designed to modify a depressed
person's feelings, views and ideas of self through sympathetic, directive
discussion.
SAD - Seasonal Affective Disorder, a biological effect of low
light levels in winter that causes depression.
SEROTONIN - a monoamine chemical in the brain that maintains
normal patterns of appetite, sleep and sexual activity and is thought to
influence mood. It is also called 5-hydroxytryptamine or 5HT.
SSRIs - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are a family of
anti-depressants that raise serotonin levels in the brain. The best known
are Prozac and Seroxat (Paxil in the USA).
TCAs - tricyclic anti-depressant family that corrects a deficiency
of monoamines.
UNIPOLAR ILLNESS - classic depression.
