Understanding the jargon for 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 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 tranquilizers. 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 patters.
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 oxidase inhibitors are a family of anti-depressants that slows
down the removal of monoamines by the enzyme monoamine exidase.
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.
TCAs -
tricyclic anti-depressant family that corrects a deficiency of monamines.
Unipolar
Illness - classic depression.
