Clinical Depression

Clinical Depression is a state of extreem sadness or despair and is a serious medical condition. Clinical depression is also known as "Major Depression" or "Major Depressive Disorder."

There are a variety of different types of depression and some of the symptoms from each of these may overlap one another, but there are certain characteristics of some of these types of depressive disorders that make them unique and, in some instances, more serious than others.

  The different types of depression, not in any certain order, include Dysthimia, Postpartum depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Manic or Bipolar depression Clinical depression, also known as Major depression and Cyclothemia.  Clinical depression is a term used by doctors when the refer to depression in general. Actually, Clinical depression is more of a mood disorder than an illness.  This is because it basically only covers individuals that are actually experiencing symptoms that are commonly related to depression.

The cause of Major depression is  still unknown. Doctors originally believed it to be a psychological disorder, but they now believe that it could be biological or perhaps a combination of both. Recently, there have been questions as to whether it could be caused genetically.

Like many mental illnesses, stress can be a strong factor, but only in early occurences of the disorder. It seems that stress is responsible for helping the condition along, afterword, it picks up its own momentum and develops further by itself.

The most common symptoms of this depressive disorder include:

Loss of energy, constant being tired most every day, feelings of hopelessness and wothlessness, lack of interest in daily activities that they used to enjoy doing, feelings of overwhelming guilt from a real or unreal event or past experience, low ability to concentrate or think normally, difficulty focusing on even the most simplest tasks, significant weight gain or significant weight loss, including decrease or increase of appetite. A person must experience at least five of these symptoms within a two week period in order to be suffering from Major depression.

Thoughts of suicide may be present also. The person could even be planning their own end, whether they intend to act on it or not.

Important: If you know of anyone experiencing thoughts of suicide, no matter whether you believe that they would actually follow through or not, it's very important that you get them medical attention as soon as possible.

These symptoms must be apparent and last a minimum of two weeks or more. Actually, Clinical depression is known to last for an average of six to nine months in many instances. Most people in the age group of Clinical Depression are between the ages of 25-44, but it has occured in people of all age groups. The good news is that  there are many medical treatments for mood disorders available now.