(soothing guitar music) (scribbling sounds)
- [Instructor] Hey there, Psych2goers.
And welcome back to another video.
Have you ever heard of melancholic depression?
According to the
"Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,"
or the DSM,
someone who experiences the distinct symptoms of melancholia
is known as having a Melancholic Major Depressive Disorder.
It's a subtype of depression,
rather than a separate diagnosis.
There are several unique characteristics of Melancholic MDD
that set it apart from other forms of depression.
So, here are six signs you may have Melancholic MDD.
Oh, but before we begin,
we'd like to mention that
this video is created for educational purposes only
and is not intended to substitute a professional diagnosis.
If you suspect you may have melancholic depression
or any mental health condition,
we highly advise you seek help
from a qualified mental health professional.
Okay, onto the video.
Number one, loss of pleasure.
Have you lost your desire to socialize
or do the things that you would normally find joy in?
In Melancholic MDD,
the loss of pleasure is known as Anhedonia
which can inhibit the functioning of your reward system.
Instead of being motivated to complete tasks
to receive a reward like to get an A or to get in shape,
you may suddenly find even the smallest of tasks
difficult to achieve.
Two, psychomotor changes.
The slowness of movement
is a common feature in Melancholic MDD.
One study even compared it to Parkinson's
and found that complex movement
was a challenge in both disorders.
Melancholic MDD can also represent
negative symptoms similar to schizophrenia.
These are a group of symptoms
marked by the absence of normal levels of activity,
which can include loss of facial expression,
psychomotor impairment,
and intentional disturbances.
It can make everyday tasks
like doing chores and communicating with others,
very difficult.
Three, impaired cognitive function.
Do you have trouble concentrating,
making decisions, and remembering things?
A study found that those diagnosed with Melancholic MDD
performed significantly worse
on tasks that tested problem solving skills,
memory, and processing speed,
than those with non Melancholic MDD.
While impaired cognitive function
can still be present in Non-Melancholic MDD,
this research shows
that there are clear differences between the two.
Four, depressed mood characterized by despair and emptiness.
Do you find that your interests and passions
no longer give you purpose or meaning?
Melancholic MDD is characterized
by profound feelings of despondency, despair and emptiness.
These emotions of melancholia
are thought to be the inspiration
for many inspiring artists, musicians,
and writers across history.
But while melancholy and its effects
may have inspired works with beauty,
the cost has often been immense mental suffering.
Five, feelings of hopelessness or guilt.
Do you experience episodes of hopelessness
and guilt out of the blue?
Your feelings of hopelessness or guilt
are not triggered by stressful or tragic events
as social and psychological factors
rarely contribute to this form of depression.
Instead, it's linked to genetics.
And this is why people with this subtype of depression
often have family histories with mood disorders or suicides.
And because of this,
medication is usually the treatment option,
since psychotherapy, counseling,
or other psychological interventions is unlikely to work.
Number six, waking up early in the morning.
Do your symptoms tend to get worse in the morning?
It's common for people with this disorder
to experience a disrupted sleep-wake cycle
and to wake up in the early hours of the day.
While mornings may be especially difficult,
there is often a pattern known as diurnal variation
where mood and energy levels improve as the day goes on.
And this is unique to Melancholic MDD,
compared to milder forms of depression
where symptoms tend to worsen at night.
So have you experienced any of these symptoms
or know someone who has?
Let us know in the comments below.
If you found this video helpful,
be sure to like and share this video
with those who might benefit from it.
Subscribe to Psych2go go for more videos.
And the references and studies used in this video
are added in the description below.
As always, thanks for watching.