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Major depression symptoms
Major depression is a mood disorder present in people that experience severe depression symptoms either overnight or gradually. These symptoms can come suddenly or over a long period of time.
Someone who has been acting normal may be sent into despair by a psychological event, but most often the start of depression is gradual, occurring over a period of several weeks or even months.
The depressed person has large changes in most areas of his or her life, such as lowered motivation and loss of pleasure and interest in things they like. Other symptoms include increase or decrease in appetite, sleeping a lot more or a lot less, low or no energy, difficulties in thinking and making decisions, feeling worthless or guilty, or continuing thoughts of death or suicide.
Major depression is the severest category of depression, with the most symptoms present. A single episode can occur and be treated successfully or the episodes can be recurring with periods of crisis.
All types of depression, major or minor, have changes in the brain chemistry, changed levels of the neurotransmitters that are necessary for the brain to function normally. Antidepressant medications are usually required to treat the symptoms of depression either for occasional episodes or for those patients who are chronically depressed.
Post-partum depression after the birth of a child is an example of an episodic occurrence of depression, which is easily treated and should never be ignored. Women are twice as likely as men to experience depression, mostly because they tend to recognize their depression and seek treatment while men would rather tough it out.
According to the Diagnostical and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, major depression symptoms are one and a half to three times more common among first-degree biological relatives of persons with the disease, than among the general population.
Other problems can also be present, such as the presence of psychosis that can help identify the type of depression present. The antidepressant treatment prescribed by the psychiatrist should be specific for the type of symptoms present, and can require more than one type of drug.
Psychotherapy is also recommended along with antidepressants and other prescribed medication to treat the mental basis for the depression. It helps to decrease the symptoms and decrease the need for medications.
A lot of of patients with major depression symptoms find their first depressive experience is not their last. Many things contribute to the possibilities of a recurrence. The most important things are how many times it's happened before, what age did it begin and if the person has a supportive family plus what type and amount of stress is present.
Most people are able to return to their normal level of functioning, but some aren't. The longer the major depression symptoms last, the more unlikely the person will fully recover. This can result in problems in job status, income, marital relationships, and recreational activities.
There are a lot of treatment options and medications available for people with major depression symptoms. They no longer have to suffer in silence, as many once did. New drug advances have allowed those who suffer from major depression and other disorders to live a normal life, and not be kept a prisoner of their symptoms.
If you know someone who is living with depression symptoms, encourage them to visit a doctor or mental health professional and use the prescribed treatment plan.
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