What Is Major Depressive Disorder?
Depression is one of the fastest growing mental illnesses in the United States. The causes can range from situational to chemical. However, you may not have heard of major depressive disorder, or at least not heard about it under this name. Major depressive disorder is also known by the following names: major depression, unipolar depression and clinical depression. These names may be more familiar to the majority of people because they have all received significant media attention. Major depressive disorder is known as unipolar because it does not shift between depressive and manic but merely remains on the one side of the extreme.
Effects And Standard Symptoms
Major depressive disorder affects each person a little differently though there are sets of standardized symptoms that can be used to tell when someone is suffering from a major depressive disorder. These symptoms include increased sleeping, increased eating, feelings of worthlessness, guilt, and constant fatigue, lack of concentration, headaches, general body pain, and thoughts of suicide in extreme cases and generalized feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.
Not all of the symptoms will show up with every person. While the majority of people experience these symptoms and effects that does not at all mean they are the only symptoms. Some people may experience a decrease in the amount they eat or will become hungry less often. Even if you are not suffering from severe symptoms, it is a good idea to speak with a qualified medical professional in order to receive treatment if necessary.
The symptoms of major depressive disorder do not only affect the person suffering from them but also those around them. It also has a profound impact on performance at work as well as social situations, which contributes to the continuation of the cycle leading to more severe episodes of depression.
Depression can hit anyone at any time in any age group and lifestyle. Women are more likely to experience episodes of depression than men. The largest age group that seems to be affected is adults between the ages of 25 and 44. Signs of depression are found equally among children and are less likely for individuals over the age of 65.
Depressive episodes run in cycles. A cycle can run a few days, a few weeks, or even longer. The time between cycles can be similar, a few days, a few weeks or even years. Depression whether it is situational, brought on by a particular set of events, or chemical is not something to take lightly. If you notice the symptoms of depression in yourself or someone you love seek medical advice on the best way to treat it.
