It is characterized by a complete loss of pleasure in all or almost everything.
People experience a complete loss of pleasure, a slowing down of activity, and feelings of profound despair.
Antidepressant medications are the first-line treatment for melancholic depression.
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The term “melancholia” is one of the oldest terms used in psychology.
It has been around since Hippocrates introduced it in the fifth century B.C.
It means “black bile” in Greek.
Symptoms of Melancholic Depression
Symptoms of melancholic depression include:
What Causes Melancholic Depression?
The start of these episodes is usuallynotcaused by a specific event.
Even when something good happens, the individual’s mood does not improvenot even for a short time.
Older people, inpatients, and those who exhibitpsychotic featuresare at greater risk for melancholic depression.
Melancholic depression, however, is believed to have strong biological origins.
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
SNRIs affect the way bothserotoninandnorepinephrinework in the brain.
Common kinds areCymbalta(duloxetine) andEffexor(venlafaxine).
Atypical Antidepressants
These medications affect brain chemicals that seem to improve mood.
This class includes Tofranil (imipramine), Pamelor (nortriptyline), and amitriptyline.
Research suggests that melancholic depression responds better to tricyclic antidepressants than to SSRIs, psychotherapy, or social interventions.
If you suspect that you have melancholic symptoms, you should talk to a doctor.
Online resources and support groups may also be helpful for managing your symptoms of melancholic depression.
Talk to a doctor to decide if this is a good option to complement your other treatments.
Fortunately, there are effective treatments that can help.
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American Psychiatric Association (APA).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
5th ed, text revision.
Washington, D.C.; 2022.
Monzon S, Gili M, Vives M, et al.Melancholic versus non-melancholic depression: differences on cognitive function.
A longitudinal study protocol.BMC Psychiatry.
The case for its classification as a distinct mood disorder.Am J Psychiatry.
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