Depression 2:2

MIND-

I have chosen to discuss depression. There are a few different types of depression. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is the feeling of intense sadness, feelings of helplessness, worthlessness, and hopelessness. It also keeps you from functioning normally in your daily life. To be diagnosed with MDD you need to have at least 5 of the 9 symptoms listed in the DSM-IV, during a period of at least 2 weeks.

• A depressed mood during most of the day, particularly in the morning.
• Fatigue or loss of energy almost every day.
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt almost every day.
• Impaired concentration, indecisiveness.
• Insomnia, or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping) almost every day.
• Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in almost all activities nearly every day.
•  Recurring thoughts of death or suicide (not just fearing death.)
• A sense of restlessness (known as psychomotor agitation) or being slowed down (retardation.)
• Significant weight loss or gain (change of more than 5% body weight in a given month) not through dieting.

Most of us have felt sad or down during different times in our life, due to loss, life's struggles, or an injured self-esteem. This is not considered Clinical or Major Depression. If these symptoms occur within 2 months of losing a loved one this is also not considered true depression.

Some common feelings one might experience in depression are:

• difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions
• fatigue and decreased energy
• feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness
• feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism
• insomnia, early morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
• irritability, restlessness
• loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex
• no pleasure left in life anymore 
• overeating or appetite loss
• persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment
• persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" feelings
• thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts

 There are also other mental illnesses in which depression can occur (Bi-Polar II Disorder, Manic Depression etc.) If you believe you could be suffering from depression, it's important to seek professional help. There are different types of treatment, such as antidepressant medication, psychotherapy or electric shock therapy. Different types of situations require different types of treatment. There are differences between men and women, young and old. Some women develop depression after childbirth, called post-partum depression. Men sometimes go through "male menopause" in which they can also experience depression.

It is estimated that up to one in five people in the United States will experience MDD in their lifetimes. The most common time of onset is between 20-30 years old, with a later peak at 30-40. If you would like to learn more about depression and it's treatment, you can also check out the website http://www.depression.com/. This site explains the different types of antidepressants and gives lots of useful information.