unipolar depression

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Word: Unipolar Depression

Definition: Unipolar depression is a type of mental health condition where a person experiences a major depressive episode without any manic episodes. This means they feel very sad or hopeless for a long time, but they do not have periods of extreme happiness or energy, which are common in bipolar disorder.

Usage Instructions:

• Part of Speech: Noun
• Context: You can use "unipolar depression" when discussing mental health, particularly in conversations about different types of depression and mood disorders.

Example Sentence:

• "After a thorough evaluation, the doctor diagnosed her with unipolar depression, as she had been feeling low for several months without any manic episodes."

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced contexts, you might discuss the implications of unipolar depression in therapy or the importance of understanding it in the broader scope of mood disorders. For example: - "Treatment for unipolar depression often involves a combination of therapy and medication, tailored to the individual's needs."

Word Variants:

• Unipolar: Referring to something that has one pole or extreme; in this context, it relates to a single mood state (depressed).
• Depression: A noun that describes a state of low mood or sadness.

Different Meanings:

• In different contexts, "depression" can refer to a general feeling of sadness, a reduction in economic activity, or a physical area lower than its surroundings (like a depression in the ground). However, in "unipolar depression," it specifically refers to a mental health condition.

Synonyms:

• Major depressive disorder
• Clinical depression

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

While there are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that directly relate to "unipolar depression," some related phrases might include: - "Down in the dumps" – Feeling sad or depressed. - "In a funk" – A period of sadness or low spirits.

Summary:

Unipolar depression is a serious mental health condition characterized by persistent sadness without the highs of mania. It is important to recognize and treat it properly to improve one's quality of life.

Academic

Noun

1. a major depressive episode that occurs without the manic phase that occurs in the classic form of bipolar disorder