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One of the most common and serious mental health problems that people face today. Psychological depression may interfere with the ability of a person to function effectively throughout the day or to even have the motivation to get out of bed in the morning and in fact is so common that over 1 in 5 Americans could obtain some type of depression in their lifetime.
The causes of depression are complex and still not understood, but can be treated with more effectiveness because we have a better understanding of the causes of clinical depression.
The first step in fighting depression is to understand what it is, how to you, and what causes it. Unfortunately, many people do not recognize that depression is a treatable disease. Most people with a depressive illness do not seek treatment, although the vast majority, even those whose depression is extremely severe can be helped. This condition is so common that over 1 in 5 Americans can expect to get some type of depression in their lifetime.
The symptoms of major depression include at least five of the following symptoms (at least one should cover the first and second listed below) and must be present nearly every day, all day, for 2 weeks: persistent depressed mood, even feelings of emptiness or sadness, loss of interest or pleasure in activities, feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, guilt, worthlessness and helplessness, insomnia, early morning awakening or oversleeping, change in eating (either loss or increased appetite), decreased energy, fatigue or feeling braking, restlessness and irritability, difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions, thoughts of suicide or death, persistent physical symptoms, as headaches, digestive disorders or chronic pain. A less severe type of depression, dysthymia, involves long-term, chronic symptoms that do not disable, but must have one working well or feel good.
The most important thing you can do to help the depressed person is to obtain a diagnosis and treatment appropriate. The guidelines for the diagnosis of major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder are found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM IV). The depressed mood must last more than two weeks to justify this diagnosis.
The first step in initiating treatment suitable for depression is a physical examination by a physician. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months or years. Appropriate treatment, however, may help most people with depression. If a diagnosis of depression, drug treatment and / or psychotherapy to help the person depressed recover a happy and fulfilling life. Most do best with combined treatment: medication to gain relatively quick relief of symptoms and psychotherapy to learn more effective ways to cope with life's problems, including depression.
Psychological depression is not something that can simply "snap out of" is a serious medical condition that affects brain chemistry. With proper medical treatment, the vast majority of people suffer its effects can live a life without depression.
Andrew Bicknell is a writer, webmaster, and the owner of Depression and You. Visit his website for more information about psychological depression and other depressive disorders.
