Understanding Depression:
What Exactly is Clinical Depression?
Recognize the symptoms of clinical depression.
The more you know, the easier it is to get help.
Once you are so sad that you need to seek medical attention, you are experiencing what is called clinical depression. There are many different kinds of clinical depression; the three most well-known forms are dysthymia, bipolar / manic depression and major clinical depression.
Clinical depression is known in some circles as major depression.
Statistics show that clinical depression is the number one mental illness in the world. Various researches indicate that approximately 20 million Americans suffer from some sort of depressive disorder.
The list of symptoms for clinical depression is rather exhaustive and includes the following:
- Feeling hopeless, that life isn't worthwhile
- Loss of self-esteem and self worth
- Constantly thinking of suicide and death
- Generally slowing down, no energy or low energy level
- Decreased or increased appetite (any unintended weight gain or loss of over 5% of actual body weight in a one month period is reason for concern)
- Sleep disturbances: lots of dreams, waking up intermittently, difficulty getting to sleep, tiredness up on waking in the mornings
- Difficulty concentrating
- Physical ailments: stomach ache, headache...
- Being sad almost constantly
It is important to know that not everyone will exhibit these symptoms of clinical depression. However, if five or more of these signs are present over a period of time, you may be suffering from depression.
Clinical depression can be diagnosed by a physical or psychological evaluation. Once a diagnosis is reached, treatment options will be explored.
Depending on the severity of the depression, the course of treatment may involve depression medication or psychotherapy.
In some cases a combination of antidepressants and counseling is used to achieve the best outcome.
Finally, you can play a part in your path to recovery; take interest in what is happening to you!