Clinical depression is part of a group of syndromes known as mood disorders. Normally, people have a wide range of moods. Even though people may change their moods according to their current situation, people usually still feel in control of what they are feeling and act accordingly. With mood disorders, however, a person may feel like their feelings are out of control. These feelings may be overwhelming enough to make a person act in ways that greatly decrease his or her quality of life, and affect his or her daily activities.
It is normal to feel sad or depressed at times, especially when a traumatizing or stressful event happens. Ending a relationship, losing a job, or experiencing the death of a loved one can certainly cause an initial rush of overwhelming negative feelings. After such an unhappy event, it is perfectly okay to feel disheartened or even numb. However, most people are able to deal with such events and are able to go about their normal lives. It may be difficult, but after a period of adjustment, people are able to resume their regular routine.
However, people with clinical depression find it difficult to do so. Their depressed mood may last for weeks, months, or even years. They may feel so overwhelmed by sadness and guilt that they find it difficult or even pointless to do even basic things such as bathing, grooming, or eating. Many people with clinical depression feel drained of energy. They may also lack interest in other people, events, and activities, even with hobbies that they really enjoyed before. Aside from this, clinical depression may also affect your ability to concentrate, disturbing his or her performance in work or school. Clinically depressed people may isolate themselves from family and friends, making it even more difficult for them to get the help that they need.
Sometimes, a person may be so burdened by grief or depression that he or she may think about committing suicide. Many clinically depressed people have thoughts of harming or killing themselves. Some of them may have already planned or attempted suicide. If this applies to you, please talk to someone you trust about your feelings and seek professional help immediately. There is nothing wrong with asking for help.
Just like other diseases, clinical depression is manageable for most. By working together with health care professionals, family, and friends, a person with clinical depression may learn how to successfully deal with their condition and lead a productive, normal life.
Causes of clinical depression
It is understandable that a stressful life event can trigger an episode of depression. However, some people may not cope with stress as well as others. Still, other clinically depressed people may find no explanation for their sadness.
A number of factors may explain why clinical depression occurs. For some people, however, there may be a multiple number of causes, or even no clear cause. This does not mean, however, that there is no help for this condition.
Biological factors
The brain has substances called neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters affect the function of the brain, as well as how your brain processes information. Neurotransmitters have also been linked to mood. It has been found that people with clinical depression have low levels of two important neurotransmitters, serotonin and norepinephrine.
Hormone levels may also affect your mood. Around fifty percent of clinically depressed people have abnormally high levels of a hormone called cortisol. Some people with clinical depression also have problems with their thyroid and hormones related to the thyroid.
Although they are not a direct cause, some illnesses have been linked with clinical depression—that is, they occur together with depression. Examples of these diseases are chronic illnesses such as cancer, Parkinsons disease, Alzheimers disease, and diabetes. Clinical depression may also occur with other serious, acute illnesses like heart attacks and strokes.
Genetic factors
Some mood disorders may be hereditary. Having a close degree relative with clinical depression or another mood disorder may increase your risk of having a mood disorder yourself.
Types of clinical depression
Major depressive disorder (MDD), sometimes known as unipolar depression or simply major depression, is having one or more episodes of depressed mood that last two weeks or more. This depressed mood is accompanied by a lack of energy and interest in daily activities and hobbies. People with MDD may also experience changes in their sleeping patterns and appetite.
Dysthymia is similar to major depression, but with less severe symptoms. A person with dysthymia may also have poor appetite, trouble sleeping, and low energy, but is still able to cope with most day-to-day activities. However, people with dysthymia report feeling depressed most of the time, with the depressed mood lasting for years. Many people with dysthymia say that “they have always been depressed,” constantly feeling sad or down since their childhood or teenage years.
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that involves alternating periods of depression and mania. Mania is a state wherein a person has an exaggeratedly elevated or irritable mood. During episodes of mania, a person who was previously depressed now does a lot of tasks and activities (sometimes much more than they can handle). With both depressive and manic episodes, a person with bipolar disorder has trouble with work and daily activities.
Cyclothymia is a milder form of bipolar disorder, wherein the symptoms of both the depressive and manic episodes are not severe enough to disrupt your work or social life.
Other forms of depression have been linked to certain seasons or events. Some women may feel very depressed after giving birth, a condition known as postpartum depression. People have also reported feeling very sad during the winter months. If their symptoms are severe enough, and only come during winter or a certain season, they may be diagnosed with a disorder called seasonal affective disorder (SAD).