SYMPTOMS OF CLINICAL DEPRESSION

Depression is more than just the blues. Its mildest form occurs when the feelings that accompany sadness or grief linger, or when bad moods interfere with a person’s ability to carry on daily life or enjoy activities that previously brought pleasure. If you have five or more of these symptoms for two weeks or more, you could have clinical depression and should see your doctor or a counselor:

-Persistent sad, anxious or empty mood.

-Sleeping too much or too little; waking in the middle of the night or early morning.

-Reduced appetite and weight loss, or increased appetite and weight gain.

-Loss of pleasure and interest in activities once enjoyed, including sex.

-Restlessness, irritability.

-Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment (such as chronic pain or digestive disorders).

-Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions.

-Fatigue or loss of energy.

-Feeling guilty, hopeless or worthless.

-Thoughts of suicide or death.

CAUSES OF CLINICAL DEPRESSION

Many things can contribute to clinical depression. For some people, a number of issues seem to be involved; for others, a single factor can cause the illness. Sometimes, people become depressed for no apparent reason.

Biological – People with depression typically have too little or too much of certain brain chemicals. Changes in these brain chemicals may cause or contribute to clinical depression.

Cognitive – People with negative thinking patterns and low self-esteem are more likely to develop clinical depression.

Gender – Women experience clinical depression at nearly twice the rate of men.

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.

Medications – Depression can be a side effect of another medication.

Genetic – A family history of clinical depression increases the risk of developing the illness.

Situational – Difficult life events, including divorce, financial problems or the death of a loved one, can contribute to clinical depression. Pregnancy and having a baby can also bring on depression.

FACTS ABOUT CLINICAL DEPRESSION

Clinical depression is the most common mental illness, affecting more than 19 million Americans each year. This includes major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and dysthymia, a milder, longer-lasting form of depression.

Depression costs the United States more than $40 billion a year in lost productivity and wages.

Clinical depression is treatable; more than 80 percent of those who seek treatment show improvement.

Depression can occur in anyone, at any age, and in people of any race or ethnic group.

Depression is never a “normal” part of life, no matter what your age, gender or health situation.

Fewer than half of those suffering from depression seek treatment. Some people resist treatment because they see depression as a personal weakness rather than a medical illness.

The most commonly used treatments are antidepressant medication, psychotherapy or a combination of the two. The choice of treatment depends on the pattern, severity, persistence of symptoms and the history of the illness.

The earlier the treatment, the more effective the outcome.

Depression must be treated by a physician or qualified mental health professional.

SOURCES: Mental Health Association of Greater St. Louis; Dr. Charles Conway, medical director of the adult inpatient unit for the Department of Psychiatry at St. Louis University; LaDonna Haley, program director for the Mental Health Association of Greater St. Louis; Lois Pierce, chairwoman of the Department of Social Work, University of Missouri at St. Louis.