Depression/Clinical Depression:

Depression/Clinical Depression: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_depression

Clinical depression (also called major-depressive disorder, or unipolar depression when compared to bipolar disorder) is a common mood disorder in psychology and psychiatry, in which a person's enjoyment of life and ability to function socially and in day to day matters is disrupted by intense sadness, melancholia, numbness, or despair.

Clinical depression differs from the common term depression and the everyday expression of \"feeling depressed\".

It is diagnosed medically, and treated by therapy and possibly antidepressant drugs.

There are several subtypes, some of which meet the popular perception of sadness, agitation and disruption of sleeping and eating, and others of which do not disrupt enjoyment of good things but create a highly disruptive cycle of inner paralysis and lethargy.

Clinical depression affects about 7–18% of the population on at least one occasion in their lives, before the age of 40.

General background: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_depression#General_background

On the Threshold of Eternity. In 1890, Vincent van Gogh painted this picture seen by some as symbolizing the despair and hopelessness felt in depression.

Van Gogh himself suffered from depression and committed suicide later that same year.

Although a low mood or state of dejection that does not affect functioning is often colloquially referred to as depression, clinical depression is a clinical diagnosis and may be different from the everyday meaning of \"being depressed\".

Many people identify the feeling of being clinically depressed as \"feeling sad for no reason\", or \"having no motivation to do anything\".

A person suffering from depression may feel tired, sad, irritable, lazy, unmotivated, and apathetic.

Clinical depression is generally acknowledged to be more serious than normal depressed feelings.

It often leads to constant negative thinking and sometimes substance abuse or self-harm.

Extreme depression can culminate in its sufferers attempting or completing suicide.

Without careful assessment, delirium can easily be confused with depression and a number of other psychiatric disorders because many of the signs and symptoms are conditions present in depression, as well as other mental illnesses including dementia and psychosis.[1]

History: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_depression#History

The modern idea of depression appears similar to the much older concept of melancholia.

The name melancholia derives from \"black bile\", one of the \"four humours\" postulated by Galen.

Clinical depression was originally considered to be a chemical imbalance in transmitters in the brain, a theory based on observations made in the 1950s of the effects of reserpine and isoniazid in altering monoamine neurotransmitter levels and affecting depressive symptoms.[2]

Since these suggestions, many other causes for clinical depression have been proposed.[3]

Types: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_depression#Types

The diagnostic category major depressive disorder appears in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the American Psychiatric Association.

The term is generally not used in countries which instead use the ICD-10 system, but the diagnosis of depressive episode is very similar to an episode of major depression.

Clinical depression also usually refers to acute or chronic depression severe enough to need treatment.

Minor depression is a less-used term for a subclinical depression that does not meet criteria for major depression but where there are at least two symptoms present for two weeks.

www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleID=127

www.rcpsych.ac.uk/default.aspx?page=1644

www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinformatio...lems/depression.aspx

www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinformatio...sion/depression.aspx

www.channel4.com/science/microsites/S/sc...body/depression.html

www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/depression1.shtml

www.mind.org.uk/Information/Booklets/Und...nding+depression.htm

Depression: The Painful Truth: www.wfmh.com/PainfulTruthsurvey.htm

Depression/Clinical Depression: www.ican.co.uk/aboutdepression

About depression & ICAN.Co.Uk: www.ican.co.uk/aboutdepression & www.ican.co.uk/uni0/about/default.aspx

Knowing depression: www.ican.co.uk/aboutdepression

Welcome to iCAN, your information resource providing in-depth information on depression and treatment support.

Here you will find information and key facts about depression and its symptoms.

You will learn about what triggers depression, the different types of depression and how doctors can tell them apart.

You will be able to get answers to questions from an independent panel of experts and also monitor your progress towards a full recovery using tools on this site.

Depression is a common disease: www.ican.co.uk/aboutdepression

It is thought that during their lifetime, one in four people worldwide will develop depression.

The World Health Organisation estimates that 5.8% of men and 9.5% of women will experience a depressive episode in any given year.

Depression affects so many people and so many of us know, or will know, a person, a family member, a work colleague or a friend, who suffers from or will develop depression!

Depression is a serious illness: www.ican.co.uk/aboutdepression

It is profoundly different from merely experiencing the ‘blues’.

It is natural to feel sad and melancholy when you experience adversity and loss.

The pain of an unhappy relationship, unemployment or bereavement can spoil your mood for some time.

When you are sad for any of these reasons, you don't normally come to a complete stop.

Even though ‘your heart isn't in it’, you still manage to carry on with everyday activities and enjoy the positive things in life.

Sadness and bad moods will eventually pass.

If you experience serious grief, sharing your problems with others can help you to come to terms with and cope with the grief.

To be “naturally sad” is not a disease, but depression is! It is a profound sadness that can destroy your quality of life.

It is an overwhelming feeling that you can’t cope.

It can last for weeks, months or even years.

If you suffer from depression, you can no longer control your mood or feelings.

In clinical depression, the depressive feeling has become chronic; or lasts for a long time.

You most likely suffer from a clinical depression when you are depressed: www.ican.co.uk/aboutdepression

about almost everything,

almost all the time,

almost every day

for more than two consecutive weeks

Depression normally affects your: www.ican.co.uk/aboutdepression

feelings

thoughts

behaviour

body's functioning

Depression can be dangerous: www.ican.co.uk/aboutdepression

In most severe cases some people suffering from depression find that life is so hopeless that they experience suicidal thoughts.

You run the risk of coming to a complete stop.

Tragically, modern treatments and interventions could have prevented many deaths if only they had been used in time.

If you, a friend or relative shows these signs, seek help as soon as possible.

Depression can be treated and overcome: www.ican.co.uk/aboutdepression

People suffering from depression need treatment.

If you suspect that you or someone you know suffers from depression it is important that treatment is sought.

Make an appointment to see your doctor, talk to a friend or family member.

There is a wide range of effective treatment options for depression.

Patients normally make a full recovery.

Seeking help depression is suspected is the most important first step on the road to recovery.