What is Depression?
Major depression is a mood disorder characterized by one or more major depressive episodes (i.e., at least two weeks of depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in nearly all activities) accompanied by at least four additional symptoms such as changes in sleep, appetite, or weight, and psychomotor activity; decreased energy; feelings of worthlessness or guilt; difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions; or recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideation, plans, or attempts.
Dysthymia or dysthymic disorder "is characterized by at least two years of depressed mood for more days than not, accompanied by additional depressive symptoms that do not meet criteria for a major depressive episode (American Psychiatric Association, 2000, p. 317).
Depression is a common and highly treatable disorder affecting over 19 million American adults annually. Once identified, depression can almost always be successfully treated either by psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both. Unfortunately, according to the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, depression is under diagnosed and under treated by primary care and other non-mental health practitioners.
Major Depression
Major depression is a brain disorder that is much more than temporarily feeling sad or blue. It is a serious medical illness that affects one’s thoughts feelings, behavior, and physical health. It is a biologically based brain disease, not a weakness.
Depression can develop in anyone at any age, and individuals manifest symptoms in individual ways. Some people have one episode of depression in a lifetime, but many have recurrent episodes. Others have ongoing, chronic symptoms.
The outward behavior of the person with depression often remains relatively normal people with depression rarely behave in bizarre ways, almost never experience hallucinations, and only rarely experience delusions................
