Depression varies in severity. For some people, the feeling of sadness is mild and relatively fleeting. Others feel depressed day after day with no reprieve. More severe depression that does not let up is referred to as clinical depression, or major depressive disorder. Nearly 7 percent of Americans have clinical depression, making it one of the most common mental health issues.
To be diagnosed with clinical depression, you need to have a depressed mood or lack of interest in activities you once enjoyed, plus four or more of the following symptoms, for at least two weeks:
? Decrease or increase in appetite ? Weight loss or gain ? Trouble sleeping or getting too much sleep ? Agitation or restlessness ? A feeling of slowing down ? Fatigue or lack of energy ? Feelings of worthlessness or guilt ? Trouble thinking, concentrating, or making decisions ? Thoughts of death or suicide
Everyone experiences depression differently, but to qualify for a diagnosis of clinical depression, the symptoms must be significant enough to interfere with your day-to-day life. Clinical depression makes it more difficult to go to work or school, and interrupts your normal social activities. Some people experience sporadic episodes of clinical depression, while for others, the condition is more continuous and persistent.
Although clinical depression is a more severe form of depression, it does respond to treatments. The first step is to see a mental health professional for a diagnosis. During the evaluation, the doctor can rule out other conditions that can mimic clinical depression, including thyroid disorders or substance abuse.
Once clinical depression has been diagnosed, it can be treated with medications and talk therapy. Antidepressant drugs alter levels of brain chemicals that influence mood. These include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and paroxetine (Paxil), and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as venlafaxine (Effexor) and duloxetine (Cymbalta). These medicines may be paired with psychotherapy, which teaches strategies to manage depression.
From time to time, we hear stories in the news of formerly good mothers "snapping" and injuring or even killing their children. These are extreme examples of people suffering from psychotic depression experiences. Obviously, this is a severe condition that requires prompt medical intervention. The first step, as always, is … Read More
As with other mental disorders, the difference between just having a bad day, or week, or month, and truly suffering from depression is the duration of symptoms and level of impairment. As such, it helps to consider different levels and how we define them. Depression Symptoms of MDD Major Depressive … Read More
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Many researchers believe that clinical depression is the result of an imbalance in serotonin levels. That’s why the most common pharmaceutical antidepressants (such as Prozac, Lexapro, and Celexa) are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). But a drug isn’t the only way to boost serotonin levels. In fact, there are several … Read More
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The statistics are alarming! As many as one in 33 children and one in 8 adolescents have clinical depression. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for ages 10 to 24. Clinical or major depression is the top cause of disability throughout the world for persons age 5 and … Read More
