Atypical Depression

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Atypical depression is a subtype of depression that is usually difficult to treat. Classic cases of atypical depression are usually harder to diagnose in patients as classical depression because those suffering from the later have at least five or more symptoms that point to this type of depression. Whereas atypical depression, patients begin to suffer from depression at an early age, usually during their teen age years and do not have as many signs or symptoms as classical depression.

Some doctors feel that atypical depression is a lower level form of depression that last for at least two years or more. Some medical doctors feel that it is a milder form of bipolar disorder called cyclothymia. Sufferers from this illness have less mood swings than normal.
One of the main characteristics of atypical depression is mood reactivity. This is described as improvements in moods as long as something positive changes the situation. However it is known that people, who suffer from major atypical depression, have symptoms not improving even with positive stimuli. Doctors have found though that in diagnostic criteria can be placed on the following list of symptoms that play a direct part on the patient’s mood:
• Hypersomnia
• Over eating
• Intense reactions or increased sensitivity to rejects which usually occurs in social and work related incidents
• Over burdened feelings

Normally a doctor will take a complete medical history to determine if there are any other underlying causes of these symptoms. Blood tests for possible thyroid problems as well as hormone levels are evaluated. It is quite common for atypical depression to run side by side with other diseases which is the reason why doctors want to get a full picture of what is going on with the patient.

Depression alone is a direct result from a chemical imbalance in the brain. However, there are other factors that may also cause depression or add chemical imbalance that magnifies the symptoms. These factors consist of the following:
• Family history
• Change in social structure or loss/separation (death which results in grief or loss of a job)
• Guilt
• Abuse (sexual, emotional and/or physical)
• Major life changing event (change in location, retirement, graduation, moving)
• Serious illness that is possibly life threatening
• Drug/alcohol abuse
• Isolation or exclusion

Once diagnosed, patients are usually described antidepressants for treatment. Research has found that atypical depression responses better to monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and also serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). It does not however respond to the older more typical drug of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).

Because MAOIs can and have had adverse affects and associated with food interactions on patients, they are not prescribed when atypical depression is first diagnosed. People placed on the medications are warned to follow a very strict diet to avoid this problem. They are expected to limit simple carbohydrates and fat and to avoid foods and drinks that contain tyramine which acts to inhibit monoamine oxidase. This amino acid is found to neutralize the effects of tyramine in the body. Tyramine can be found in several foods. Patients are also warned to keep alcohol consumption to a minimum. Not only are there adverse affects on the medications due to foods, over the counter and some prescription drugs as well. This list is always being updated.