Definition
Major depression is when five or more symptoms of depression are present for at least 2 weeks. These symptoms include feeling sad, hopeless, worthless, or pessimistic. In addition, people with major depression often have behavior changes, such as new eating and sleeping patterns. Major depression increases a person's risk of suicide.
Symptoms
- Trouble sleeping or excessive sleeping
- A dramatic change in appetite, often with weight gain or loss
- Fatigue and lack of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness, self-hate, and inappropriate guilt
- Extreme difficulty concentrating
- Agitation, restlessness, and irritability
- Inactivity and withdrawal from usual activities, a loss ...
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Definition
Major depression is when five or more symptoms of depression are present for at least 2 weeks. These symptoms include feeling sad, hopeless, worthless, or pessimistic. In addition, people with major depression often have behavior changes, such as new eating and sleeping patterns. Major depression increases a person's risk of suicide.
Symptoms
- Trouble sleeping or excessive sleeping
- A dramatic change in appetite, often with weight gain or loss
- Fatigue and lack of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness, self-hate, and inappropriate guilt
- Extreme difficulty concentrating
- Agitation, restlessness, and irritability
- Inactivity and withdrawal from usual activities, a loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed (such sex)
- Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Depression can appear as anger and discouragement rather than feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. If depression is very severe, it may be accompanied by psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions. These are usually consistent with the depressed mood, and may focus ...
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Causes
The exact cause of depression is not known. Many researchers believe it is caused by chemical imbalances in the brain, which may be hereditary or caused by events in a person's life.
Some types of depression seem to run in families, but depression can also occur in people who have no family history of the illness. Stressful life changes or events can trigger depression in some people. Usually, a combination of factors is involved.
Each year, more than 18 million Americans -- men and women of all ages, races, and economic levels -- have depression. It occurs more often in women.
Women are especially vulnerable to depression after giving birth. This is a result of the hormonal and ...
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Treatment
Depression can be treated in a variety of ways, particularly with medications and counseling. Most people benefit from a combination of the two. Some studies have shown that antidepressant drug therapy combined with psychotherapy appears to have better results than either therapy alone.
Medications include tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and some newer antidepressant drugs. While antidepressant medications can be very effective, some may not be appropriate for everyone. For example, in September, 2004 the FDA began considering a warning that some antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal tendencies in children. In 2007, the FDA proposed that all antidepressant medicines should warn of the risk of suicidal behavior in young adults ages 18 - 24 years.
Lithium and thyroid supplements may be needed to enhance the effectiveness of antidepressants. For persons with psychotic symptoms, such as delusions or hallucinations, antipsychotic medications ...
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Other Names
Depression - major; Unipolar depression; Major depressive disorder
Possible Complications
- Suicide (up to 15% of people with major depressive disorder die by suicide)
- Increased risk of alcohol- and drug-related problems
- Increased risk of tobacco dependence
- Increased risk of problems with physical health and premature death due to medical illness
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Outlook (Prognosis)
The outcome is usually good with treatment. Although most depressive episodes can be effectively treated with either medication, psychotherapy, or both, depression is a recurring problem for many people. For people who have experienced repeated episodes of depression, maintenance treatment may be needed to prevent future recurrences.
Prevention
Some episodes of depression can be avoided by:
- Learning how to relax and manage stress
- Avoiding alcohol, drugs, and caffeine
- Exercising regularly
- Maintaining good sleep habits
Counseling may help you through times of grief, stress, or low mood. Family therapy may be particularly important for teens who feel blue.
For elderly or others who feel socially isolated or lonely, try volunteering or getting involved in group activities.
Medications and psychiatric counseling may prevent recurrences. Some episodes of depression are not preventable.
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Exams and Tests
Major depression is diagnosed if the person reports having five or more depressive symptoms for at least 2 weeks. Beck's Depression Scale Inventory or other screening tests for depression can be helpful in diagnosing depression.
Medical causes that can cause symptoms of depression should also be ruled out before making the diagnosis of depression.
