Depression
DepressionDepression is a psychiatric disorder characterized by a profound and long-lasting sadness or despair. It affects approximately 18 million people in the United States every year and not all of them are old enough to vote. Everyone experiences some unhappiness, often as a result of a change, either in the form of a setback or a loss. The painful feelings that accompany these events are usually appropriate, necessary, and transitory and can even present an opportunity for personal growth. However, when depression persists and impairs daily life, it may be an indication of a depressive disorder. Severity, duration, and the presence of other symptoms are the factors that distinguish normal sadness from a depressive disorder.
Depression has been alluded to by a variety of names in both medical and popular literature for thousands of years. Early English texts refer to “melancholia,” which was for centuries the generic term for all emotional disorders. Depression is now referred to as a mood disorder, and the primary subtypes are major depression, chronic and usually milder depression (dysthymia), and atypical depression. Other important forms of depression are premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PDD) and seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
ƒË Major Depression
In major, or acute, depression, at least five of the symptoms listed below must occur for a period of at least two weeks, and they must represent a change from previous behavior or mood. Depressed mood or loss of interest must be present.
J.J.Daino IV Page2
„Y Depressed mood on most days for most of each day. (Irritability may be prominent in children and adolescents.)
„Y Total or very noticeable loss of pleasure most of the time.
„Y Significant increase or decrease in appetite, weight, or both.
„Y Sleep disorders — either insomnia or excessive sleepiness — nearly every day.
„Y Feelings of agitation or a sense of intense slowness.
„Y Loss of energy and a daily sense of tiredness.
„Y Sense of guilt and worthlessness nearly all the time.
„Y Inability to concentrate occurring nearly every day.
„Y Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.
In addition, other criteria must be met: the symptoms listed above should not follow or accompany manic episodes (such as in bipolar or other disorders); they should impair important normal functions (such as work or personal relationships); they are not caused by drugs, alcohol, or other substances; and they are not caused by normal grief (see below). One long-term study found that episodes of major depression usually last about twenty weeks.
ƒË Chronic Depression (Dysthymia)
Chronic, but mild depression, or dysthymia, is characterized by many of the same symptoms that occur in major depression but they are less intense and last much longer — at least two years. The symptoms have been described as a “veil of sadness” that covers most activities. Typically, there are no disturbances in appetite or sexual drive; mania, severe agitation, and sedentary behavior are not present. Suicidal thoughts are not usually present. Possibly because of the duration of the...
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