Clinical depression disorders are much more than “the blues.” Everyone feels down, sad or apathetic occasionally. These emotions are natural responses to stress and negative life events. Clinical depression, however, is a severe mental illness, and possibly the most common mental disorder in modern society.
A Definition of Clinical Depression
Doctors define clinical depression using very specific criteria. A clinical depressive episode is considered when an individual exhibits at least five of the following symptoms of depression on a regular basis for a period of at least two weeks:
- agitation
- appetite change resulting in either weight loss or weight gain
- changes in sleep patterns resulting in insomnia or unusual sleepiness
- difficulty focusing, thinking or concentrating
- fatigue and exhaustion with no physical cause
- feelings of emptiness
- feelings of guilt, self-blame or worthlessness
- irritability
- lethargy
- loss of interest or pleasure in activities that usually bring enjoyment
- memory impairment
- persistent sadness
- recurring thoughts of death, suicide or self injury.
Taken individually, symptoms of depression may be caused by a different physical or mental illness. When seen in clusters for extended periods of time, however, the symptoms listed above are strongly suggestive of a depressive disorder.
How long symptoms last is also important when evaluating depression. A person may feel guilty, sad or agitated for several days without bring clinically depressed. Appetite and sleep patterns naturally vary, especially during times of stress. When such feelings and changes in routine persist over several weeks they may be signs of depression.
Depression Facts
Clinical depression can affect anyone, no matter what his age, gender or ethnicity. It’s estimated there are 12 million Americans coping with depression every year. Women are more often affected than men—twice as many women seek medical help for depression as men. It’s unclear whether women are more susceptible to depression than men, or if gender attitudes towards emotions and medical help prevent more men from seeking depression treatment.
Depression facts and statistics, by necessity, are approximations. Many people never seek help for depressive symptoms, and fight depression alone. Social stigma surrounding mental illness prevents some people from seeking depression treatment. Other depression sufferers have difficulty recognizing their symptoms as possible depression: trapped within the mental illness it’s easy for a depressed person to assume depression is an unchangeable part of their personality.
Causes of Depression
Popular assumptions about depression lead to myths about the mental illness. People fighting depression are not, as is commonly thought, just “sad” or “morose.” Well-meaning family and friends may encourage a depression sufferer to “cheer up,” while less charitable observers dismiss depression as a character weakness.
None of this is true, and certainly doesn’t help people cope with depression. Depression is just as much an illness as influenza or arthritis. Causes of depression aren’t fully understood, but have been linked to stress, brain chemistry imbalances and genetics.
Under the right set of circumstances anyone can experience a depressive episode. Fortunately effective depression treatment is available. Depression sufferers who seek help coping with their depression generally fare better than those who choose to fight depression alone.
Resources
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (Retrieved 31 August, 2009). Depression (Major Depression).
Torpy, J., MD. (retrieved 31 August, 2009). Depression.
Disclaimer: The information contained within this article is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute in any way for care and treatment by a qualified health professional.
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