Is reactive depression a common form of the illness?

Question

And how do the symptoms exhibit. Is it more common in older people and more so men? What do you know about this condition and or ways to address it?

Answer 1

Reactive depression is depression caused by an event - bereavement, redundancy etc. The symptoms are the same as clinical depression

Answer 2

"Reactive depression, the most frequently encountered type of mood change is an extension of the normal upset feeling following an unhappy event in a person's life. Death of a close relative or friend, family strife or the unexpected loss of employment are some of the events that can evoke an extreme state of unhappiness. Here the mind's state of sadness is an appropriate response to an unwelcome event. Typically the person with reactive depression will feel low, anxious, often angry and irritable and will tend to be preoccupied with the upsetting event and usually will have difficulty getting off to sleep. This type of depression is usually not particularly severe in that the person will get relief when engaged in some social or leisure interest and will be able to continue with their work which will help to distract them from their upset feelings. This is not to say that it is not a depressing experience for the person concerned. lndeed many patients with this form of depression become preoccupied with suicidal thoughts and may resort to self destructive acts."

http://www.aware.ie/online%20books/notes.html#reactive


An example of a symptom, hypothetically ...

if someone believed that he was wronged by a Jew (even though the real culprit was someone else, not a Jew), he may ask questions on Yahoo Answers whether the guidelines are written and imposed by Jews.

If he has any other concerns, he just might start asking Jews randomly. There is a high degree of certainity, however, that the hypothetical person will not ask a Brit for answers, believing that the kind folks on the British Isle are 'feeble-minded'.

The symptoms may not indicate reactive depression, but still indicate some sort of mental illness. The fun part is figuring out which one.

Answer 3

The above are all good descriptions of depression.I don't know if reactive depression is a common illness.I have suffered from this type of depression, I seem to cope well with lifes traumas and then just as things start to get better I crumble and manifest all the symptoms of depression.I am now on medication and cope much better.Also I am older and realise that things are never as bad as you first think they are going to be and that things do really work out for the best on reflection.If it is you who is suffering my heart goes out to you .If you are offered medication do not be afraid of it modern anti depressants are marvellous------they do not work immediately but take a few weeks so do not despair all will be well my friend.

Answer 4

Unfortunately common in both sexes - any age. Caused by life circumstances which effect you. I suffered badly after the death of my mother and having a new child when she was ill. I became very sad, exhausted, couldn't sleep - when I did I had very odd dreams. I just had enough after having a huge drama at my in-laws about absolutely nothing I realised I NEEDED HELP! At first I was told to rest, exercise and talk. I think I left it too long and ended up taking Prozac for 18mths. The prozac really helped me alot. [ I found it physically bumpy to come off but glad I took it} If you are suffering or a close one accept it sooner than later as you will probably shorten the recovery period.
Luv J xx

Answer 5

Reactive depression (being depressed when you break up, someone dies, you lose a job, etc) has the same symptoms as clinical depression but it is perfectly normal.
And in older people it might be more common (more of their freinds die than if you are 25) but unless it becomes an unending depression it is just normal behavior

Answer 6

Over the last five years I had begun to have increasingly withdraw into a downward spiral of depression..

But now with the method I can fully focus my energy and thoughts into a decisive line on how to make my life better constantly. And it works like magic! I'm beginning to attract people to me once again and things have just been looking up since then.

Helping you eliminate depression?

Answer 7

yeah it happens but go and see a doctor if you want to talk to someone can make you feel better

Answer 8

See your rabbi for counselling