What is clinical depression?

Clinical depression, also called a "major depressive disorder," is much more intense than sadness or mild depressed mood and generally requires medical treatment. Symptoms vary, but may include a loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyed, fatigue, problems with memory and concentration, feelings of hopelessness, or body aches.

Just as with sadness, clinical depression might be caused by stressful experiences and emotional situations. Chemical imbalances in the brain may also be a cause. If you are clinically depressed, you are feeling very sad. However, the sadness that comes with clinical depression lasts longer and may be very strong. The activities that once brought enjoyment may no longer be of interest to you, and you could feel very tired most of the time.

Clinical depression can make normal, everyday activities very difficult. It might cause you to stay away from friends and loved ones and avoid social gatherings that you once enjoyed. Sleeping and eating habits may also change. During such a time, you may have little hope that your situation could get better. Clinical depression can hurt your ability to make good decisions and see options for getting help. In the most difficult cases of depression, there can be thoughts of harming yourself or others due to feelings of hopelessness.

There can be different reasons for some emotions including depression or anxiety. For example, certain medications can cause depression or suicidal thoughts in some people. If this could be happening to you, contact your doctor and pharmacist immediately. In some cases, there may be a need to change your medication. You may also need the support of a counselor. If you cannot reach your doctor, go to a hospital emergency room. It is important to treat serious emotional distress as quickly as possible.

Clinical depression is an illness characterized by clear diagnostic criteria -- sad mood or anhedonia for two weeks or longer and then 5 or more symptoms ranging from loss of appetite to sleep disturbance to feelings of worthlessness.

Depression is a mood disorder characterized by feelings of sadness or loss of interest in daily activities. To be diagnosed as clinically depressed, a person must have some of the following symptoms: significant weight gain or loss, significant change in sleep patterns, feelings of restlessness or slowed down, fatigued all the time, worthlessness or guilt, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, hopelessness, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.

When a combination of these symptoms is experienced for two weeks or more, it may indicate the presence of a clinical depression. The negative feelings associated with depression may last weeks, months, or even years. Afflicted people are usually treated with antidepressant medication, psychosocial therapy, or a combination of the two. Some self-care (exercise, relaxation techniques, and nutritional supplements) and alternative treatments such as acupuncture may be helpful in alleviating depressive illness as well.

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Clinical depression is an episode of at least two weeks of sadness for most of the day and loss of desire to do any activities or engage in relationships. Some other symptoms include loss of appetite or increased appetite; insomnia, increased fatigue or sleeping too much; and decreased interest in normally pleasurable activities. If you have two or more of these episodes separated by at least two months you may have major depression. If you have any of these feelings or feelings of suicidality, you should see your doctor immediately.