Low Mood
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Introduction
Depression is an emotion; it can be experienced transiently or for a length of time.
It is in response to anxiety turned inwards, towards feelings of being:
- unloved
- unimportant
- a failure
- guilty
- bad
- worthless
- hopeless
- alone
If sufficiently severe, depression can become major depressive disorder and drive people to madness or suicide.
The Case of...
Differential Diagnosis
History and Physical Exam
- history
- physical exam
History
Sadness is a very non-specific complaint that can be associated with many concerns:
adjustment disorder,
Assessing depression
- Sleep
- Interests
- Guilt
- Energy
- Concentraton
- Appetite
- Psychomotor agitation/retardation
- Suicide
Suspect latent bipolar disorder if:
- psychotic features
- sudden or early onset
- psychomotor retardation
- family history of bipolar disorder
- history of hypomanic/manic switch with antidepressants
Assessing mania
- Distractibility
- Indiscretion
- Grandiosity
- Flight of Ideas
- Activity increase
- Sleep Deficit
- Talkativeness (pressured speech)
Check for drugs
Physical Exam
Investigations
- lab investigations
- diagnostic imaging
Lab Investigations
Diagnostic Imaging
Management
Pathophysiology
Resources and References
Topic Development
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