Depression comes in many forms and levels of severity. But “clinical depression” is the term most people are familiar with, and is used to describe the more serious form of depression. Clinical depression’s official designation is “major depression disorder,” which identifies it as a particular type of mental disorder.

The term ‘clinical depression’ is the more popular term used to describe symptoms of MDD. But MDD is so bad that usually people so affected are totally wiped out by it. There are many symptoms of MDD and they include both physical and emotional symptoms. These can include inability to focus, a lack of self-esteem, fluctuations in weight, lethargy, sleeping all day, loss of sex drive, and sadness. Some people even become suicidal.

We often think of some forms of depression such as Seasonal Affective Disorder and postpartum depression as being separate types of depression, when these are actually “sub-categories” of major depression disorder. But for a person to be considered to have major depression disorder – no matter what other sub-types of depression they may have – they must be in a down mood for at least two weeks and have five or more of the typical clinical depression symptoms. When a person has these symptoms, he or she is definitely experiencing clinical depression and should be treated as soon as possible by trained medical personnel.

ECT or electroconvulsive therapy is one controversial method still used today to treat MDD. Other, more standard treatments include psychotherapy and prescription medication.

Some new treatments are starting to be used today, with some people swearing by their effectiveness and others swearing at them. Light therapy, for instance, has proven effective for seasonal affective disorder, whereas it was once considered bogus.

Some natural remedies, though, are clearly NOT so effective. One herbal remedy for depression is St. John’s Wort, but its effectiveness is limited. Another “natural” remedy being experimented with is acupuncture, but so far its effectiveness hasn’t been proven as well.

But some sort of treatment should be selected ASAP, because you don’t want to wait for the patient to commit suicide. What works and what doesn’t can be figured out as you go. If someone you know or love is depressed, the important thing is to get them treatment, whether that treatment is alternative or established depression treatments.

The first thing to find out is whether the cause of the depression has physical roots; things such as heredity (is depression in the family?), poor diet and no exercise, or a disease of some sort.

Then emotional problems should be looked into, and this includes past trauma, bereavement, any suppressed mental struggles and so forth.

Because depression can (and often) has many causes instead of just one, it’s best to find a therapist who can be a good ‘detective’ as well as medical professional. After all, everything from alcohol to lack of sunlight to sexual abuse can be causes. These skills are necessary to discover the right causes for MDD and recommend the correct treatments.

Chuck’s impossible survival of a suicide attempt when he was just 16 years old inspired him to write a book to help others. To discover more about Major Depression Disorder, go to his site at http://www.dealwithdepression.org

categories: major depressive disorder,clinical depression,symptoms of depression,manic depression,depression

The words ‘mental depression’ have scared the daylights out of people for ages.

Any time mental illness is discussed it carries the stigma of insanity.

It’s not the case. Although mental depression is a real medical condition it isn’t insanity in the classic, negative sense.

Drop the mental illness stereotypes.

Yes mental depression is a disease of the mind but it is a disease that can be treated effectively and you do not have to feel abnormal or inferior to other human beings.

This year 15 million people will be affected by mental depression.

But they’re concerned about their image so only one third of them seek help. Make health the primary concern.

Wishing away mental depression doesn’t work.

The illness is persistent.

It strikes without notice. It does not concern itself to race or religion.

It has no care for financial or social status. Age makes no difference.

The illness is boundless.

Early detection can be a great boon when it comes to treatment.

However, mental depression is complicated and not easy to detect.

Occasionally everyone gets sad.

Sometimes isn’t a word that applies to mental depression.

There are a variety of symptoms that may indicate mental depression.

Those that are suffering may tend to become loners.

Engaging activities may no longer amuse them.

Anxiety may increase and insomnia may result.

The eating habits may change.

The ability to deal with those around them may be impaired.

Hopelessness and helplessness aren’t unusual.

Emotional and physical state will show signs of decay.

They can be suffering from mental depression and not even realize it. Sometimes we have to realize it for them.

Depression has many causes.

There is little doubt that ’stress’ plays a major role. Many things cause stress.

Relationships, school and even providing for family can all cause stress.

There is also stress from losing someone you love.

In many cases it is believed that mental depression can be passed on genetically.

Many things cause depression. But many possibilities exist for treatment.

One typical treatment revolves around ‘talk therapy’. This allows those that suffer to talk out their problems and look for positive reinforcement.

There are also medications like anti-depressants and natural herbs that have been proven effective as well.

Mental depression is a disease that can be cured if treated.

To find out more about chronic depression and how to deal with it visit cures for depression where you can learn more about all types of depression causes and cures.

Hypomania episodes occur when a person is experiencing symptoms of mania that are not severe enough to be considered a manic episode. Hypomania may be part of a bipolar II disorder diagnosis.

Another psychiatric condition that causes hypomanic episodes is cyclothymic disorder. In cyclothymic disorder, the person must have numerous hypomanic episodes for at least two years.

Hypomania causes a person to have an elevated or irritable mood that is abnormal for the individual. To be considered a hypomanic episode, the mood disturbance must last at least four days. For a manic episode, the abnormally elevated or irritable mood and other symptoms must last at least a week or be severe enough to require hospitalization.

The person must experience at least three additional symptoms of mania during this period of an abnormally elevated mood or four or more for an irritable mood for it to be considered a hypomanic episode. Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity and distractibility are two of the possible symptoms of mania that someone may experience during a hypomanic episode.

Increased talkativeness and racing thoughts are two possible symptoms of mania. The person may not feel a need for sleep during a hypomanic episode. The person may sleep as little as two or three hours a day and not feel tired.

Another symptom of hypomania is a focus on goal-oriented behavior. The person may have a renewed and even obsessive pursuit of a goal. The goal may be related to work, personal achievement, social activities, or interpersonal relationships.

Hypomania can cause the person to engage in pleasurable activities without regards to the consequences of their behavior. These activities with which the person becomes excessively involved are often out of character for the person.

The symptoms of a hypomanic episode must be severe enough to cause a change in functioning that is observable. However, the change in functioning must not cause a significant impairment in social or occupational functioning.

The hypomania may be reclassified as a manic episode if the symptoms become severe enough to cause an occupational or social impairment or the symptoms persist for more than a week. Since the defining symptom of bipolar I disorder is the presence of a manic episode, the diagnosis may change from cyclothymic disorder or bipolar II disorder to bipolar I disorder.

When a person experiences hallucinations or delusions, this is considered psychosis. Hallucinations and delusions are misperceptions of reality.

Most people think of hallucinations as being visual, but hallucinations can be auditory, olfactory, or tactile. A person may hear, smell, or feel things that are not present in the environment.

Delusions are thoughts that are not realistic. A person may have the delusion that their identity or purpose is supernatural. Paranoid delusions can be of being watched or monitored by the government or others.

Psychosis is a defining characteristic of a psychiatric disorder called schizophrenia. Psychotic symptoms can also occur due to severe depression or bipolar disorder.

With schizophrenia, the hallucinations and delusions may be of paranoia or being persecuted. Sometimes, the psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia can seem random.

Psychotic symptoms of bipolar disorder and depression are related to the mood disturbance. Psychotic symptoms of depression or depressive episodes can be much more severe than suicidal thoughts.

An example of a hallucination due to a depressive episode is hearing voices telling the person to commit suicide. Depression can cause delusions that the earth is a hellish place from which they must save their loved ones by killing them.

Mania causes hallucinations and delusions related to euphoria and grandiosity. The person may have a delusion that they have superpowers or have been chosen by God or another supernatural being.

Bipolar disorder and depression do not commonly cause psychotic symptoms. Most people living with these psychiatric conditions will never experience psychotic episodes.

Anti-psychotic medication like Haldol is used to treat psychosis. Haldol and other anti-psychotic medication come in oral form. If the person is resistent to taking medication regularly, the person may need to take monthly injections.

Once the bipolar disorder is stabilized, the psychotic symptoms of bipolar disorder subside. Hallucinations and delusions seem very realistic to the person while having a psychotic episode. During the time that the person is experiencing periods of psychosis, the person may have significant stress and anxiety related to the fear of losing touch with reality.