Clinical Depression is a serious and common disorder of mood that is pervasive, intense and attacks the mind of the body at the same time. Depression can result in a serious disturbance of work, social and bodily functioning. Unlike grief or passing sadness, depression usually does not respond to a chance in circumstances(for example, good news) nor does it dissipate with time (in contrast to the grief over the death of a loved one). Depression can last for months or years if left untreated, resulting in disruption of relationship and productivity, disability or death.
Current theories indicate that clinical depression may be associated with an imbalanced of chemicals in the brain that carry communications between nerve cells that control mood and other bodily systems that are disturbed in depression, such as sleep and appetite. Factors contributing to vulnerability or the timing of depression also include life experience such as severe stress or loss, other medical illnesses, and certain personality traits and genetic factors. Sometimes, depression can appear without any apparent cause.
In most people, depression can be treated successfully, either with medication or psychotherapy, or a combination of the two. Antidepressant medications affect brain chemistry, and after several weeks can yield to important and sustained relief from depressive symptoms. Newer medications have greatly improved safety and tolerability. Antidepressant are not habit-forming and may be useful for long-term prevention of recurrences of depressive episodes or against chronic depression. |
How does depression differ from the blues?
|
Depression |
The Blues |
| Essential Distinction |
An Illness |
Abnormal reaction to life situations |
| Symptoms |
Multiple: moods, thoughts,
bodily functions |
Single: moods |
| Duration |
Persists |
Temporary |
| Suicide Potential |
Can result in suicide |
Rarely produces suicidal thoughts |
| Treatment |
Requires specific medical/ psychiatric
treatment |
Requires a good listener and/or time to heal |
Depression is a whole body illness involving
physical symptoms, moods, and thoughts. It
affects the way you eat and sleep, the way
you feel about yourself, and the way you
think about things. A depressive disorder
is not a passing blue mood. It is not a sign
of personal weakness or a condition that
can be willed or wished away. People with
a depressive illness cannot merely "pull
themselves together" and get better.
Without treatment, symptoms can last for
months or years. This slide illustrates the
difference between depression and the blues.
Who suffers from Depression?
Depression affects over 17 million Americans
each year
Less than 1/2 of the people suffering from
depression seek treatment.
1 of every 5 adults may experience a depression
at some point during his her life.
Twice as many woman as men experiencing depression.
Signs and Symptoms of Depression
Depressed mood
Diminished interest or pleasure in activities.
Significant change in appetite and/or weight.
Sleep disturbance.
Restlessness or sluggishness.
Fatigue or loss of energy.
Feelings of worthlessness.
Thoughts of death or suicide.
Risk Factors
Some people are more at risk to experience
a depressive episode than others. The main
factors for depression are prior depressive
episodes, family history of depression, and
postpartum state.
Types of Depression
Major depression (unipolar) is the most common type of depression
and is characterized by a cluster of at least
five of the nine symptoms we discussed earlier.
There are several levels of severity and
impairment in major depression.
Dysthymia, the second most common type, is a milder
form of depression with symptoms lasting
two years or more. Due to its duration, dysthymia
can cause serious impairment. Because people
with dysthymia may have only two or three
of the symptoms associated with major depression,
the seriousness of the diagnosis is often
overlooked, and treatment is not purchased.
Bipolar depression has a strong family linkage and exist equally
in men and women. It is the depressive phase of manic-depressive
illness, in which there are both highs and
lows. In general, the symptoms of bipolar
depression are similar to those of major
depression, with certain variations such
as excessive slee and increase in appetite.
The treatment of bipolar depression differs
from that om major depression in that bipolar
patients often require mood stabilizing medication
in addition to antidepressant medication.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that follows a seasonal
rhythm, with symtoms occuring in the winter
months and diminishing in the spring and
summer. current research indicates that the
absense of sunlight triggers a biochemical
reaction that may cause symptoms such as
loss of energy, decreased activity, sadness,
excessive eating and sleeping. Eighty-three
percent of those who suffer from this illness
are women. Children are also vulnerable.
It is important not to confuse Seasonal Disorder
with "holiday blues" which many
feel as the result of increased stress during
the holiday season. The most common treatment
for Seasonal Affective Disorder is light
therapy, exposure to intense light for a
period of time each day. Medication and psychotherapy
are also effective.
Co-Occuring Depression
People who suffer from a medical illness
such as cancer, heart disease or stroke also
may suffer from depression. when this happens,
health professionals say that depression
is co-occuring, or "comorbid" with
the other illness.
Unfortunately, co-occuring depression often
goes unrecognized, undiagnosed therefore,
untreated. Since some symptoms of depression
are identical to those present in other medical
disorders, people often assume they are suffering
only from their primary medical condition
and not also
Suicide
People who suffer from a medical illness
such as cancer, heart disease or stroke also
may suffer from depression. when this happens,
health professionals say that depression
is co-occuring, or "comorbid" with
the other illness.
Unfortunately, co-occurring depression often
goes unrecognized, undiagnosed therefore,
un
Support Groups
ADA Institute, National Depressive and Manic-Depressive
Association and the National Alliance for
the Mentally Ill offer an opportunity for
people who are depressed as well as their
families to gain emotional support, learn
about depression and access the mental health
system. Such groups offer a chance to interact
with people who have suffered from depression
and found ways to cope with it more effectively
and overcome it.
