Major Depression Also known as Depression, Major Depressive Disorder or Clinical Depression
Covid-19, lockdowns, isolation and quarantines have increased the incidence of depression worldwide. Rates of suicide, especially among teenagers have understandibly increased because of social isolation and lack of interaction between friends and peers at school, sporting activities and social gatherings.
We live in unprecedented times and we have to make the best of it and although there is an increase in the rates of depression the underlying factors still prevail. It’s just the circumstances that are different.
It is expected that in general there will be more grief experienced within families and communities but grief is different to depression. We all have days when we feel down, unmotivated, tired, and not social but we also know the mood will pass. It’s when this mood does not pass week after week that we may need to seek help.
Major Depression is a common and costly mental health problem, seen frequently in general medical settings. It is the fourth leading medical cause of disability in Western Civilization. Depression can be fatal and the suicide rate among depressed persons is at least 8 times higher than the general population.
Often, depressed people present to their doctors vague physical symptoms rather than emotional complaints and sometimes depression can be overlooked. Depression Symptoms – These are presented here for educational purposes only and are not intended for self-diagnosis. Not all symptoms of depression need to occur at the same time for a diagnosis of depression, clinical depression or major depressive disorder to to be made (see below)
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Depressed mood for most of the day, nearly every day.
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Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all or most activities.
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Significant weight loss or weight gain.
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Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day
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Psychomotor agitation or retardation, noticeable by others, not subjective.
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Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.
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Feelings of unworthiness or excessive or inappropriate guilt.
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Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness nearly every day.
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Recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal ideation.
The diagnosis of major or clinical depression may be made if 5 symptoms of the 9 occur within a 2 week period and must include either of symptoms 1 and 2. However symptoms may not meet the criteria for this diagnosis if caused through: physiological effects of a medical condition, other conditions such as bereavement, other psychological or psychotic conditions.
Read more about depression and how to help yourself break through it https://www.amazon.com.au/Depression-Self-Help-Break-Through-ebook/dp/B00JO6STY0/