Difference between revisions of "Clinical depression"
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''The term '''depression''' can also refer to a period of economic downturn, such as the [[Great Depression]] of the 1930s.'' | ''The term '''depression''' can also refer to a period of economic downturn, such as the [[Great Depression]] of the 1930s.'' | ||
| − | '''Depression''' is a mental illness <ref> "Depression is a mental illness that can affect mood, cognition, and physiological functioning. Each year about 21 million American adults (nearly 10% of the population) suffer from depression or a related illness. Robins, L.N. & Regier, D.A. (1990). Psychiatric Disorders in America: The Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study. New York: The Free Press.</ref> that affects approximately 10% of people. The feeling of depression is something that many poeple experience from time to time <ref>http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/complete-publication.shtml#pub3</ref> and can even help individuals to recognise and deal with problems in their lives. In clinical depression or [[Bipolar disorder]], the feeling of depression is worse, goes on for longer and makes it difficult or impossible to deal with the normal things of life. Although depression can be triggered by life events, sufferers also often describe feeling sad for no reason at all.<ref>http://health.yahoo.com/experts/depression/5/sadness-amp-depression-what-is-the-difference/</ref> Symptoms | + | '''Depression''' is a mental illness <ref> "Depression is a mental illness that can affect mood, cognition, and physiological functioning. Each year about 21 million American adults (nearly 10% of the population) suffer from depression or a related illness. Robins, L.N. & Regier, D.A. (1990). Psychiatric Disorders in America: The Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study. New York: The Free Press.</ref> that affects approximately 10% of people. The feeling of depression is something that many poeple experience from time to time <ref>http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/complete-publication.shtml#pub3</ref> and can even help individuals to recognise and deal with problems in their lives. In clinical depression or [[Bipolar disorder]], the feeling of depression is worse, goes on for longer and makes it difficult or impossible to deal with the normal things of life. Although depression can be triggered by life events, sufferers also often describe feeling sad for no reason at all.<ref>http://health.yahoo.com/experts/depression/5/sadness-amp-depression-what-is-the-difference/</ref> |
| − | ==Emotional== | + | ==Symptoms== |
| + | Clinical depression can manifest itself in many different ways. | ||
| + | ===Emotional=== | ||
*Feelings of unhappiness that don't go away | *Feelings of unhappiness that don't go away | ||
*Wanting to burst into tears for no reason | *Wanting to burst into tears for no reason | ||
| Line 16: | Line 18: | ||
Approximately 90% of people that are successful at suicide have some form of [[mental illness|mental health]] or [[substance abuse|substance misuse]] problem at the time of their death.<ref>[http://www.save.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=70489B01-CDA6-EC10-E40B95178144A08F SAVE - The Link Between Depression and Suicide]</ref> | Approximately 90% of people that are successful at suicide have some form of [[mental illness|mental health]] or [[substance abuse|substance misuse]] problem at the time of their death.<ref>[http://www.save.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=70489B01-CDA6-EC10-E40B95178144A08F SAVE - The Link Between Depression and Suicide]</ref> | ||
| − | ==Thinking== | + | ===Thinking=== |
*Inability to think positively or hopefully | *Inability to think positively or hopefully | ||
*Great difficulty in making even simple decisions | *Great difficulty in making even simple decisions | ||
*Poor or lack of concentration | *Poor or lack of concentration | ||
| − | ==Physical== | + | ===Physical=== |
*Significant, unintentional loss of appetite and weight | *Significant, unintentional loss of appetite and weight | ||
*Difficulty in getting to sleep | *Difficulty in getting to sleep | ||
| Line 28: | Line 30: | ||
*Constipation | *Constipation | ||
*Loss of libido | *Loss of libido | ||
| − | ==Behaviour== | + | ===Behaviour=== |
*Difficulty in starting or completing things, even everyday chores | *Difficulty in starting or completing things, even everyday chores | ||
*Crying a lot or feeling the need to cry, but not being able to | *Crying a lot or feeling the need to cry, but not being able to | ||
*Social isolation/withdrawal | *Social isolation/withdrawal | ||
| − | == External Links == | + | |
| + | ==Treatment== | ||
| + | Clinical depression is often treated with psychotherapy and certain medications, such as [[SSRI]]s, [[SNRI]]s, and [[MAOI]]s. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==External Links == | ||
*[http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/depression.cfm National Institute of Mental Health] | *[http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/depression.cfm National Institute of Mental Health] | ||
*[http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/ Royal College of Psychiatrists] | *[http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/ Royal College of Psychiatrists] | ||
Revision as of 19:51, January 4, 2009
The term depression can also refer to a period of economic downturn, such as the Great Depression of the 1930s.
Depression is a mental illness [1] that affects approximately 10% of people. The feeling of depression is something that many poeple experience from time to time [2] and can even help individuals to recognise and deal with problems in their lives. In clinical depression or Bipolar disorder, the feeling of depression is worse, goes on for longer and makes it difficult or impossible to deal with the normal things of life. Although depression can be triggered by life events, sufferers also often describe feeling sad for no reason at all.[3]
Symptoms
Clinical depression can manifest itself in many different ways.
Emotional
- Feelings of unhappiness that don't go away
- Wanting to burst into tears for no reason
- Loss of interest in things
- Being unable to enjoy things
- Feeling restless and agitated
- Loss of self-confidence
- Feeling useless, inadequate and hopeless
- Feelings of guilt
- Feeling more irritable than usual
- Thoughts of suicide [4].
Approximately 90% of people that are successful at suicide have some form of mental health or substance misuse problem at the time of their death.[5]
Thinking
- Inability to think positively or hopefully
- Great difficulty in making even simple decisions
- Poor or lack of concentration
Physical
- Significant, unintentional loss of appetite and weight
- Difficulty in getting to sleep
- Waking earlier than usual
- Sleeping too much
- Feeling exhausted
- Constipation
- Loss of libido
Behaviour
- Difficulty in starting or completing things, even everyday chores
- Crying a lot or feeling the need to cry, but not being able to
- Social isolation/withdrawal
Treatment
Clinical depression is often treated with psychotherapy and certain medications, such as SSRIs, SNRIs, and MAOIs.
External Links
- National Institute of Mental Health
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
- WebMD Depression Health Center
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
References
- ↑ "Depression is a mental illness that can affect mood, cognition, and physiological functioning. Each year about 21 million American adults (nearly 10% of the population) suffer from depression or a related illness. Robins, L.N. & Regier, D.A. (1990). Psychiatric Disorders in America: The Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study. New York: The Free Press.
- ↑ http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/complete-publication.shtml#pub3
- ↑ http://health.yahoo.com/experts/depression/5/sadness-amp-depression-what-is-the-difference/
- ↑ American Psychiatric Association (1994). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.
- ↑ SAVE - The Link Between Depression and Suicide