What is depression?

 

Healthy Depression

First of all, it is normal to feel depressed - at least some of the time. Like all moods (e.g. peace, joy, sadness) depression is an emotional reaction to life events. Sometimes depression can last for a week or more given the circumstances and our reaction to it.

In fact, feeling bad may be healthy at times, as in grieving the death of a loved one. Healthy depression is allowing ourselves to be human. Our feelings put us in touch with the real world. But while it is normal to feel bad about some things at some times, it comes down to "How bad?" and for "How long?".

 

Clinical Depression

According to the DSM-IV (1994), to be diagnosed with depression, five or more of the following conditions must be present for at least two weeks. As well, the symptoms cannot be the result of an illness, drug side-effects, or an obvious cause like grief following the recent death of a loved one:

  1. depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day for at least two weeks;

  2. a significantly diminished interest or pleasure in daily activities;

  3. an appetite disturbance and subsequent weight gain or loss;

  4. a sleep disturbance;

  5. an agitation or restlessness that is evident to others;

  6. ongoing loss of energy;

  7. excessive guilty feelings and sense of worthlessness;

  8. impairment of concentration and ability to think clearly; and

  9. repetitive thoughts about death, dying, and suicide.

 

The diagnosis of major depression can be tricky because depression is often hidden by other co-existing conditions. These may be anxiety disorders, alcohol and other substance abuse disorders, personality disorders, and physical diseases. About 70% of the time anxiety co-exists with depression.

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