What is the major or clinical depression ?
Major depressive disorder (MDD ) is a condition characterized by signs and symptoms that interfere with the ability to work , sleep, eat, and enjoy once pleasurable activities . Depression is common and often undiagnosed because the occurrence of a first episode of major depression may not be obvious if it is gradual or mild.
DSM - IV - a manual used to diagnose mental health conditions.For a major depressive episode a person must have lived at least five of the following nine symptoms during the same two weeks or more, for most of the time almost every day and it is a change in his / her previous level of functioning . One of the symptoms is either ( a) depressed mood or ( b) loss of interest .
a . Depressed mood . For children and adolescents , this can be irritable mood .
b . A significant decrease in the number of interest or pleasure in most or all activities.
c . Loss or weight gain (eg , more changes of weight in a month without diet or 5% ) . This can also be increased or decreased appetite . For children who can not benefit from a projected weight .
d. Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep (insomnia) or sleeping more than usual ( hypersomnia) .
e . Behavior that is agitated or slowed . Others should be able to observe it .
f . Feeling tired or loss of energy .
g . Thoughts of worthlessness or extreme guilt ( not to be sick ) .
h . Ability to think, concentrate or make decisions is reduced.
i . Frequent thoughts of death or suicide (with or without a specific plan ) , or suicide attempt.
To be considered as major depression :
Your symptoms are not due to a mixed episode - simultaneous mania and depression that can occur in bipolar disorder
The symptoms must be severe enough to cause significant problems in everyday activities such as work, school, or social activities or relationships with other
The symptoms are not due to the direct effects of something else, such as drug abuse , medication or have a medical condition such as hypothyroidism
The symptoms are not caused by bereavement , temporary sadness after the loss of a loved one
treatment
Although major depression is a serious mental disorder that profoundly affects the quality of life of a person . It is highly treatable . Many types of treatment available. Medication and psychotherapy are effective for most people. Some studies have shown that the combined therapy with antidepressant medication psychotherapy has better results than therapy alone .
pharmaceuticals
Medications include :
Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Inhibitors of inhibitors of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors ( SNRIs)
Selective inhibitors of the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine (NDIR )
atypical antidepressants
Tricyclic antidepressants
Inhibitors of monoamine oxidase
psychotherapy
There are several types of psychotherapy that have proven effective for depression such as cognitive- behavioral therapy (CBT ) and interpersonal therapy (IPT) .
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps identify negative beliefs and behaviors and replace them with positive , healthy .
