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What is a depressive disorder / depression?


Clinical depression is one of the most common mental illnesses, affecting more than 19 million Americans each year. Depression causes people to lose pleasure from daily life, can complicate other medical conditions, and can even be serious enough to lead to suicide.


Depressive disorders include major depressive disorder, manic depression and dysthymia (a milder, longer-lasting form of depression.)

People with depressive illnesses do not all experience the same symptoms. Signs and symptoms include:

  • Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" feelings

  • Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism

  • Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness

  • Irritability, restlessness


  • Fatigue and decreased energy

  • Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions

  • Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping

  • Overeating, or appetite loss

  • Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts




What things put a person at higher risk of experiencing a depressive disorder?






Many things can contribute to clinical depression. Oftentimes, people become depressed for no apparent reason.


  • Biological - People with depression typically have too little or too much of certain brain chemicals, called "neurotransmitters." Changes in these brain chemicals may cause or contribute to clinical depression.\


  • Gender - Women experience clinical depression at a rate that is nearly twice that of men. Other reasons may include the stress caused by the multiple responsibilities that women have.

  • Co-occurrence - Clinical depression is more likely to occur along with certain illnesses, such as heart disease, cancer, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and hormonal disorders.





The rates of depressive disorders may also be influenced by childhood adversity including severe physical abuse, sexual abuse, and poor care.



Can a depressive disorder be treatedHow?



  • Medications - Antidepressants

  • Psychotherapy


The choice of treatment depends on the pattern, severity, persistence of depressive symptoms and the history of the illness. Depression should be treated by a physician or qualified mental health professional.

Physical exercise and mindfulness or meditation exercises have also been shown to be effective adjunct therapies.



How does depression progress?


New symptoms of major depressive disorder develop over several days to several weeks. Over a lifetime, the presence of one episode of major depressive disorder is associated with a 50% chance of a recurrent episode. A history of two episodes is associated with a 70-80% chance of a recurrent episode, and 3 or more episode are associated with extremely high rates of recurrence.



Do people with depressive disorders get better?


Remission of symptoms and return to previous levels of functioning (social, occupational, and interpersonal) characterize approximately 66 - 70% of individuals.


Unfortunately, although almost 70% of individuals with depression have a full remission of the disorder with effective treatment, fewer than half of those suffering from this illness seek treatment. Too many people resist treatment because they believe depression isn't serious, that they can treat it themselves or that it is a personal weakness rather than a serious medical illness.

Be aware that studies have indicated that active substance or alcohol abuse are associated with poorer outcomes and likelihood of recurring episodes of depression.



Sources and Links
