Agitation depression (AD) is a special type of depression that, in addition to low mood, is also accompanied by psychomotor agitation and escape from thoughts. Patients with this disorder often exhibit uneasiness, irritability, impulsivity, hostility and other behaviors, which seriously affect their quality of life and social functions. Agitation depression is closely associated with bipolar disorder, panic disorder, and suicidal behavior and requires prompt diagnosis and treatment.
What is agitated depression?
Agitation depression is a variant form of depression. It not only includes the typical symptoms of depression, such as low mood, loss of interest, low self-esteem, hopelessness, suicidal thoughts, etc., but also includes symptoms of agitation, such as restlessness, irritability, and talkativeness. , pacing, wringing hands, outbursts, destruction, impulsiveness, hostility, indifference, etc. These agitated symptoms may be caused by the depressed person trying to relieve their inner pain through external behaviors, or they may be caused by an imbalance of certain neurotransmitters in the depressed person’s brain.
There is currently no unified standard for the definition and classification of agitated depression, and different experts and institutions may have different views. Some people believe that agitated depression is an independent disease or mood disorder with its own unique etiology and pathological mechanisms. Some people believe that agitated depression is a symptom or feature of depression or bipolar disorder, a mixed state, or a manifestation of severe anxiety. Some consider agitated depression, a severe depressive episode associated with psychomotor agitation, to be an indicator of the severity of depression. Currently, research on agitated depression is insufficient and more evidence is needed to support and validate different views.
Agitated Depression VS Depression
Experts are still studying how agitated depression differs from depression.
In a recent study, a quarter of AD patients experienced disorganized thinking, strained speech, and increased motor activity. One in four people is paranoid, aggressive and delusional. While symptoms such as changes in movement and paranoia may be associated with depression, symptoms such as strained speech and paranoia are not typical symptoms of depression.
People with AD take longer to recover than people with non-anxious depression. Their attacks last longer.
The reasons are unclear, but people with AD are more likely to be hospitalized in psychiatric units than people with non-anxious depression. They were also more likely to receive their first psychiatric treatment later in life.
Symptoms of agitated depression
The symptoms of agitated depression can be divided into two categories: depressive symptoms and agitation symptoms. Depressive symptoms mainly include the following:
- Low mood, feeling sad, depressed, empty, and helpless
- Loss of interest, loss of interest or pleasure in things you used to like
- Inferiority, feeling dissatisfied or negative about one’s abilities, worth, appearance, etc.
- Hopelessness, no expectations or confidence in the future, thinking that everything is meaningless or cannot be changed
- Suicidal thoughts, thoughts or actions about harming yourself or ending your life
Symptoms of agitation mainly include the following:
- Feeling uneasy, feeling nervous, anxious, worried, fearful
- Irritability, feeling impatient, irritable, dissatisfied
- Talkative, talking fast, loudly, with a lot of content, and difficult to control
- Pacing, walking around, difficulty staying still
- Wringing hands, constantly twisting or clenching fingers
- Explosion, sudden anger, yelling, breaking things
- Vandalism, intentional damage to one’s own or other people’s property
- Impulsiveness, making impulsive or reckless decisions or actions without considering the consequences
- Hostility, showing hostile, provocative, aggressive attitude or behavior towards others
- Apathy, indifference to the feelings or needs of others, lack of sympathy or affection
The symptoms of agitated depression may vary with time, environment, mood and other factors. Some people may have only mild symptoms of agitation, and others may have severe symptoms of agitation. Some people may show symptoms of agitation during the day and others may show symptoms of agitation at night. Some people may show symptoms of agitation in specific situations, and some people may show symptoms of agitation in any situation.
Who is at risk
Recent studies indicate that AD is common in patients with bipolar disorder. In one study, one in five people with bipolar disorder also had agitation. In another study, it was closer to one in four. In a third study, one-third of people with bipolar depression had agitation.
With bipolar disorder, your mood swings cycle between depressive and manic episodes. Agitation may occur during mania.
If you suffer from clinical depression or panic disorder, you may also have AD. The same study found that agitated depression was associated with depressive symptoms, panic attacks, and suicidal behavior.
AD is more common in women, has an earlier age of onset, has more recurrent depressive episodes, has more atypical features, more depressive symptoms and more families with bipolar disorder, a study finds history.
Risk factors for agitated depression
The occurrence of agitated depression may be related to a variety of factors, including genetic, biological, psychological, social and other aspects. Here are some factors that may increase your risk of agitated depression:
- Bipolar disorder: People with bipolar disorder are more likely to experience agitated depression, especially during manic or mixed phases. Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by mood swings, from depression to mania, or both. Bipolar disorder may be related to genetic, neurotransmitter, endocrine, immune and other factors.
- Panic disorder: People with panic disorder are also more likely to experience agitated depression, especially during a panic attack. Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurring, sudden, intense, uncontrollable feelings of fear, accompanied by physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, sweating, tremors, chest tightness, and nausea. Panic disorder may be related to genetics, neurotransmitters, stress, trauma and other factors.
- Suicidal behavior: People with agitated depression are more likely to have suicidal thoughts or behaviors, especially when feeling low, hopeless, or helpless. Suicidal behavior may be related to genetics, neurotransmitters, stress, trauma, personality characteristics, social support and other factors.
- Physical diseases: Some physical diseases that affect the brain or endocrine system, such as brain infection, cerebrovascular disease, hyperthyroidism, pheochromocytoma, etc., may induce or aggravate the symptoms of agitated depression.
Treatment of agitated depression
The treatment of agitated depression requires a personalized plan based on each person’s specific situation, taking into account aspects such as medication, psychotherapy, social support and lifestyle. Here are some treatments that may be effective:
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Medication: Medication is the main treatment for agitated depression, aiming to improve the symptoms of depression and agitation by regulating neurotransmitters in the brain. Commonly used drugs include antidepressants, antipsychotics, antiepileptic drugs, lithium salts, and benzodiazepines. Different drugs have different mechanisms of action and side effects and need to be used rationally under the guidance of a doctor. Generally speaking, antidepressants can relieve symptoms of depression, but may worsen symptoms of agitation and even trigger suicidal tendencies. Antipsychotics, antiepileptics, lithium, and benzodiazepines can relieve agitation symptoms, but may cause weight gain, drowsiness, tremor and other adverse effects. Therefore, drug therapy needs to be adjusted and monitored based on each individual’s condition and response to avoid overdose or discontinuation.
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Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy is an important auxiliary treatment for agitated depression. The purpose is to help patients understand and change their thoughts, emotions and behaviors, and improve self-control and coping through dialogue with professional psychological counselors or therapists. Ability to enhance self-confidence and self-esteem, reduce stress and anxiety, prevent and deal with crises. Commonly used psychotherapy methods include cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, interpersonal therapy, family therapy, etc. Psychotherapy needs to last for a period of time to achieve obvious results, and requires the patient’s active participation and cooperation.
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Social support: Social support is an effective mitigating factor for agitated depression. The purpose is to gain their understanding, care, encouragement and help by establishing good relationships with family, friends, colleagues, peers, etc., and to increase one’s social resources and Social skills, improve one’s social adaptation and social functioning, reduce loneliness and rejection, and increase sense of belonging and happiness. Social support can be provided in a variety of ways, such as phone calls, text messages, emails, interviews, parties, events, groups, organizations, etc. Social support requires active seeking and acceptance by patients, as well as active provision and continuation by others.
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Lifestyle: Lifestyle is an important preventive and therapeutic factor for agitated depression. The purpose is to improve your physical and mental health, enhance your resistance and adaptability, and reduce your risk of disease by improving your living habits and environment. and recurrence rate. Lifestyle improvements include the following aspects:
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Maintain a regular schedule, ensure adequate sleep, and avoid overwork or insomnia
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Eat a healthy diet with balanced nutrition and avoid excessive amounts of caffeine, alcohol or other stimulating substances
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Moderate exercise and increased physical activity release beneficial chemicals such as dopamine and endorphins, improving mood and posture
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Good hygiene, keeping personal and environmental cleanliness, preventing infection and disease, improving self-image and self-worth
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Useful hobbies, cultivate your own interests and hobbies, such as reading, writing, painting, music, movies, games, etc., bring yourself fun and satisfaction, and enrich your spiritual life
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Have a positive attitude, maintain an optimistic and positive mindset, recognize and accept your own strengths and weaknesses, set and achieve your own goals and dreams, overcome and solve your own difficulties and challenges, pursue and create your own happiness and meaning
Summarize
Agitation depression is a variant form of depression in which, in addition to low mood, it is accompanied by psychomotor agitation and fugitive thoughts. Patients with this disorder often exhibit uneasiness, irritability, impulsivity, hostility and other behaviors, which seriously affect their quality of life and social functions. Agitation depression is closely associated with bipolar disorder, panic disorder, and suicidal behavior and requires prompt diagnosis and treatment.
The treatment of agitated depression requires a personalized plan based on each person’s specific situation, taking into account aspects such as medication, psychotherapy, social support and lifestyle. Medication can modulate neurotransmitters in the brain and improve symptoms of depression and agitation. Psychotherapy can help patients understand and change their thoughts, emotions and behaviors, and improve self-control and coping abilities. Social support can help patients obtain understanding, care, encouragement and help from others, and increase their social resources and social skills. Lifestyle can help patients improve their living habits and environment, improve their physical and mental health, and enhance their resistance and adaptability.
If you suffer from agitated depression, or know someone who suffers from agitated depression, please do not be afraid or ashamed and seek professional help and treatment in time. I believe you can overcome this mood disorder and regain your happiness and joy. confidence.
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