What is depression?
———————— ****************************************************************************** Criteria for Major Depressive Episode (DSM-IV, p. 327) A. Five (or more) of the following symptoms have been present during the same 2-week period and represent a change from previous functioning; at least one of the symptoms is either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure. Note: Do not include symptoms that are clearly due to a general medical condition, or mood-incongruent delusions or hallucinations. (1) depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either subjective report (e.g., feels sad or empty) or observation made by others (e.g. appears tearful). Note: In children and adolescents, can be irritable mood. (2) markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day (as indicated by either subjective account or observation made by others) (3) significant weight loss when not dieting or wei
Clinical depression is a treatable illness marked by changes in mood, thought and behavior. That’s why it’s called a mood disorder. Everyone, at various times in life, feels sad or blue. It’s normal to feel sad on occasion. But what’s the difference between “normal” feelings of sadness and the feelings caused by clinical depression? • How intense the mood is. Depression is more intense than a simple bad mood. • How long the mood lasts: A bad mood is usually gone in a few days, but depression lasts for two weeks or longer. • How much it interferes with your life. A bad mood does not keep you from going to work or school or spending time with friends. Depression can keep you from doing these things and may even make it difficult to get out of bed. Click here to learn more about depression. Q: What is Bipolar Disorder? A: Bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) is a treatable illness marked by extreme changes in mood, thought, energy and behavior. It is known as bipolar disorder
Depression is an illness that causes a person to feel sad and hopeless much of the time. It is different from normal feelings of sadness, grief, or low energy. Anyone can have depression. It often runs in families. But it can also happen to someone who doesn’t have a family history of depression. You can have depression one time or many times. If you think you may be depressed, tell your doctor. There are good treatments that can help you enjoy life again. The sooner you get treatment, the sooner you will feel better.
Depression is a type of mental disorder that affects a person s mood. It can affect your thoughts, feelings, behavior, and overall health. Normal feelings fall along a continuum from mild to intense, and the same is true of depression. It s normal to respond to losses in ones life with sadness and gloom. But when these feelings block a person from performing their everyday activities or are out of line with the reality of a person s life, they are considered symptoms of a ‘depressive disorder’. Depression can affect anybody, including teenagers. Most people with depression can be helped with treatment, but many depressed people never get the help they need. When depression isn t treated, it can get worse, last longer, and prevent you from getting the most out of your life. Remember, you’re only a teenager once. How do I know when I’m depressed? How can I tell if a friend is depressed? First, there are two kinds of depression: The sad kind, called major depression, or dysthymia; and man
A. A depressive disorder is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts. It affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. A depressive disorder is not the same as 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 “snap out of it” and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or years. Appropriate treatment, however, can help most people who suffer from depression.
