The following info is from www.Learn-About-Depression.com
What is Clinical Depression?
In the normal course of life, everyone has times when they feel somewhat less
than happy and optimistic. Although many people attribute their feelings of
sadness or lethargy to the onset of depression, it’s important to understand
that medical professionals have specific indicators that they use to make a
diagnosis of clinical depression.
Let's start with the word "clinical." By definition, a condition is clinical
if it is directly observed. That is, the professional does not count on a
patient's self-report but is more likely to check for symptoms of depression
that can be observed and documented.
Clinical depression is a phrase used to describe a condition serious enough
to require clinical (professional) intervention. Clinical depression,
according to medical sources, lasts more than two weeks and is usually not
precipitated by anything external.
For example, if you've just lost your job and have no money in your bank
account, you may feel stressed, anxious, panicked, and unable to function.
However, most of your friends and family would reasonably conclude that it's
quite normal to feel that way. Although your reaction might match the
symptoms of depression, a traumatic event precipitated them and your state of
anxiety would not be diagnosed as clinical depression. Clearly, a new and
better job would probably end the negative feelings in an instant.
Major depression strikes a surprisingly high percentage of the population:
the estimated number of people who will suffer from serious depression during
their lives is a staggering 20%.
Depression in Our Culture
Few diseases are as misunderstood by the general public as clinical
depression. We misuse terms that describe symptoms of depression every
day—"That kid’s completely manic," "The boss went bipolar on me again," or
"Sure you’re depressed—your dog just died."
At first glance, these people could be suffering from major depression, but
with no information on causes and duration, the terms "manic" or "bipolar"
are just cultural labels. On subsequent pages, we'll explain exactly what
those terms mean.
People who suffer from depression are not "just sad" or "weak" or
"grief-stricken." Grief is thought to be one of the leading causes of
depression, but the act of grieving is often appropriate and healthy, and not
a sure indicator of actual depression. And grief is not just about the impact
of the death of a family member or friend. Many people grieve when they lose
pets, jobs, opportunities, and even political or social causes.
For four years, Duncan worked hard earning his doctoral degree. His
graduation day was one of the high points of his life. Within two weeks,
Duncan, who hadn't yet landed the faculty position of his dreams, fell into
major depression. Eventually, he was diagnosed and treated for depression.
Somehow, the absence of an intense and routine workload left him without an
anchor and clinical depression set in. Since that time, Duncan has noticed
this phenomenon in many of his friends who experienced drastic life changes.
Symptoms of Depression
irritability
sadness
exhaustion
low self-image
destructive self-criticism
shame
guilt
manic behavior
suicidal thoughts or acts.
Possible Causes of Depression
genetics
personal experience
chemical imbalances in the brain
extreme stress.
Clinical Depression is not
sadness
a sign of a weak will
"just" grief
incurable.
No one is entirely certain whether personal experience or biochemical
imbalances cause depression. Both therapy and drug treatments have proven
effective in combating major depression, so the answer may lie somewhere in
between.
Recent studies have indicated that imbalances in the brain’s serotonin levels
can cause depression. Serotonin is one of the key mood regulators in the
human brain. Too little serotonin leads to depression, and irregular
serotonin levels contribute to bipolar disorders or manic depression. A new
family of pharmaceuticals called selected serotonin reuptake inhibitors
(SSRIs) can help regulate the brain’s serotonin levels, and bring relief to
those suffering from depression.
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A 1997 study indicates that suicide is the third leading cause of death in 10
to 24 year olds.
Teenage Depression
The moody, irritable, anxiety-ridden teen is a common stereotype, and
certainly many teens fall into this category. The teenage years are turbulent
times. Teenagers have to deal with sudden body changes, peer groups, and an
emerging sense of self. In all the confusion, it’s easy to miss the signs of teenage depression.
Unfortunately, many instances of teenage depression lead to suicide attempts.
Talk of suicide must always be taken seriously: 70% of teenagers who talk
about committing suicide eventually make a serious attempt to end their
lives. In a study done in 1997, suicide was the third leading cause of death
in the 10 to 24 year old age group.
A cautionary note on the suicidal teen who is receiving treatment for
depression: teens (and adults too) are most likely to commit suicide as the
treatment begins to work. While depressed, many people lack the energy to
attempt suicide. Treatment of depression takes time, and the teen’s energy
level may rise while he or she is still suicidal. Special care and attention
should be given during this time.
From www.learn-about-depression.com
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