WITHDRAWAL symptoms have posed one problem common to almost all potent anti-depressants. The newsest of such drugs, Lexapro, is no exception. Though Lexapro’s side-effects during treatment are usually mild and manageable, its withdrawal symptoms can be severe, particularly if treatment is stopped abruptly instead of tapering off.

Withdrawal symptoms can occur even if a dosage is missed since the body assumes that the treatment has been withdrawn. Withdrawal symptoms have been seen to occur within eight hours of a missed dosage, regardless of the quantity of the dosage.

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Several types of depression exist. Depressed (or irritable) mood or a loss of interest in pleasurable activities is characteristic of all types, and all types have to cause impairment in functioning. There are some differences in symptom presentation, however, and depression treatment approaches may vary somewhat. The different types of depression include the following:

Major depressive disorderDysthymic disorderSeasonal affective disorderBipolar depressionDepressive disorder not otherwise specifiedIn major depression, qualifiers can be added to the diagnosis, such as “atypical”, “melancholic”, or “post-partum onset”. Such qualifiers describe a specific pattern of symptom presentation. For example, increased appetite, rejection sensitivity, and a sensation of heaviness of the limbs characterize an atypical major depressive episode.

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The most important thing anyone can do for the depressed person is to help him or her get an appropriate diagnosis and treatment for depression. This may involve encouraging the individual to stay with treatment until the symptoms of depression begin to abate (several weeks), or to seek different treatment if no improvement occurs. The very nature of depression can interfere with a person’s ability to get help. Depression saps energy and self-esteem and makes a person feel tired, worthless, helpless, and hopeless.

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Bipolar depression disorder generally occurs before the age of 30 years and may first develop during adolescence, but most commonly presents its symptoms in the late teens and early 20s. It is a type of mood disorder that exhibits marked changes in mood between extreme elation or happiness and severe depression. Bipolar disorder used to be referred to as manic depression.

Like other mental illnesses, bipolar disorder cannot yet be identified physiologically for example, through a blood test or a brain scan. Therefore, a diagnosis of bipolar disorder is made on the basis of symptoms, course of illness, and, when available, family history. The diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder are described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual

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Bipolar disorder, or manic depression as some people call it, is a very frightening condition to live with. The symptoms of this disorder can be harsh, they can come and go rapidly and they can lead to mood swings that are on complete opposite ends of the spectrum. Bipolar depression is the particular swing that can present some of the most problems for those who suffer from the condition.

To understand bipolar depression, it’s a very good idea to have a basic grasp on this condition in its entirety. Those who suffer from this condition tend to endure very extreme mood swings. Manic behavior is on one end of the spectrum and depressive the other.

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