Major Depression
What is major depression? Overview of depression Depression is a
depressive disorder that involves a person's body, mood, and
thoughts. It can affect and disrupt eating, sleeping, or
thinking patterns, and is not the same as being unhappy or in a
"blue" mood, nor is it a sign of personal weakness or a
condition that can be willed or wished away. People with a
depressive illness cannot merely "pull themselves together" and
get better. Treatment is often necessary and many times crucial
to recovery.
Three types of depression
There are three primary types of depression, including:
major depression (clinical depression)
manic depression (bipolar disorder)
dysthymia (dysthymic disorder)
Major depression, also known as clinical depression or unipolar
depression, is classified as a type of affective disorder or
mood disorder that goes beyond the day's ordinary ups and downs,
becoming a serious medical condition and important health
concern in this country.
Who is affected by major depression? The onset of depression is
occurring earlier in life than in previous years, with women
nearly twice as likely than men to develop major depression.
What are the symptoms of major depression? The following are the
most common symptoms of major depression. However, each
individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may
include:
persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood loss of interest in
activities once previously enjoyed excessive crying increased
restlessness and irritability decreased ability to concentrate
and make decisions decreased energy thoughts of death or
suicide, or suicide attempts increased feelings of guilt,
helplessness, and/or hopelessness weight and/or appetite changes
due to over- or under-eating changes in sleep patterns social
withdrawal physical symptoms unrealized by standard treatment
(i.e., chronic pain, headaches) For a diagnosis of major
depression to be made, an individual must exhibit five or more
of these symptoms during the same two-week period. The symptoms
of major depression may resemble other psychiatric conditions.
Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.
Depression in the Workplace Depression affects nearly 18.8
million American adults each year, including persons of all
income levels, educational backgrounds, and professions. In the
workplace, untreated depression is costly. In fact, the latest
figures estimate that depression accounts for close to $12
billion in lost work days each year.
Additionally, more than $11 billion in other costs result from
decreased productivity in the work place - mostly due to
depressive symptoms that affect decision making skills,
attention span, fatigue, lack of energy, difficulty
concentrating, and problems with memory.
These figures increase significantly when the depression leads
to substance abuse and addiction.
Seek consultation from an employee assistance counselor or
consult your physician if depression and/or substance abuse and
addiction is affecting your work performance. By law, all
information you share will remain confidential.
How is major depression diagnosed? Because depression has shown
to often co-exist with other medical conditions, such as heart
disease, cancer, or diabetes, and other psychiatric disorders,
such as substance abuse, or anxiety disorders, seeking early
diagnosis and treatment is crucial to recovery.
A diagnosis is often made after a careful psychiatric
examination and medical history performed by a psychiatrist or
other mental health professional.
Treatment for major depression: Specific treatment for major
depression will be determined by your physician based on: your
age, overall health, and medical history
extent of the disease
your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or
therapies
expectations for the course of the disease
your opinion or preference Treatment may include either, or a
combination, of the following:
antidepressant medications (especially when combined with
psychotherapy has shown to be very effective in the treatment of
depression)
psychotherapy (most often cognitive-behavioral and/or
interpersonal therapy that is focused on changing the
individual's distorted views of themselves and the environment
around them, working through difficult relationships, and
identifying stressors in the environment and how to avoid them)
family therapy
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) Two-thirds of persons with
major depression do not seek the appropriate treatment, although
80 percent of all people with clinical depression who seek
treatment improve, usually within weeks. Without treatment,
symptoms can persist for weeks, months, or years. Continued
treatment may help to prevent reoccurrence of the depressive
symptoms