Mental health conditions may at times appear to look like other conditions, whether that be developmental, physical, or another mental health condition. When working with someone who is experiencing depression or depression like symptoms, taking the time to understand when and how symptoms present will assist with accurate diagnosis and then appropriate intervention. While Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is the most common form of depression, it isn’t the only one. Listed below are other types of depression which can easily be mistaken for another condition but may require different interventions.
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD): This is a different presentation to MDD or PDD, as children with DMDD will have frequent and explosive tantrums to seemingly small triggers. In between these explosive tantrums, a child will appear irritable and have a very low-frustration tolerance. This difference in presentation highlights how depression can also present as being angry compared with low mood or sadness. For diagnostic purposes, symptoms of DMDD will typically present before the age of 10; DMDD cannot be diagnosed before this point as tantrums are normal for young children. The tantrums need to occur more than three times a week, and occur across contexts and with different people. There are times when this may appear more like another condition called Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). While there are similarities in “tantrums”, but a defining difference being that a child with ODD is often trying to defy perceived authority figures, rather a child with DMDD is experiencing their feelings in a very heightened way and lack regulation skills to manage it.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD): This is a condition which affects some girls and women, specifically in the week leading up to their period (or approximately 5 – 8 days and concludes as their period begins). It can be thought of as similar to PMS, however, far more severe and can impact on their daily living. The mood symptoms are similar to MDD, where the female may be anxious, angry, or cry for no reasonable reason. They may have difficulty concentraing and have feelings of overwhelm, and concern for how others are feeling toward them. Physically, they may have severe symptoms of cramps, headaches, and other body aches. Unlike MDD, no symptoms are experienced during the other times of the month. Accuracy in symptom presentation (severity, duration, patterns in presentation), is important information for the treatment team, in building insight and skills in symptom management. In some cases the medical professional assisting may recommend a birth control or other hormonal tablet to shift hormones as part of the treatment intervention. Antidepressants may also be prescribed. Being able to plan ahead is also important in supporting a young person with PMDD and developing skills through CBT.
Lastly, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): This is a depressive condition that comes and goes with changes in the seasons. SAD has the same symptoms as MDD but only occurs during certain months of the year, typically cooler months where there is less sunlight. For some though it can be triggered by summer. An important distinction for SAD, is that the symptoms can’t be related to other possible triggers during the same time period.
In each case, clearly understanding the triggers is important for ongoing therapeutic intervention, both for medical intervention and therapeutic or behavioural interventions as well.
Commenti