Severe Depression: An Overview
Severe depression is a mental disorder characterized by abnormally low moods that persist for at least two weeks. Severe depression is so debilitating that it prevents an individual from living a healthy, active, social life. Some people may only experience one episode of severe depression, but more often, people experience recurring depressive episodes throughout their lifetime.
Severe depression is also known as “clinical depression,” “major depression,” and “unipolar depression.” As its name suggests, it tends to be more intense and debilitating than other, milder forms of depression, such as dysthymia.
Who is Affected by Severe Depression?
According to the World Health Organization, depression affects approximately 121 million people worldwide, and is one of the leading causes of disability. Depression can affect anyone regardless of gender, age, ethnicity or socioeconomic background. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, women are twice as likely as men to experience severe depression.
Causes of Severe Depression
There is no single, known factor responsible for depression. In most cases, severe depression is likely the result of a combination of risk factors, including:
- Biochemical factors (such as physical and chemical features of the brain)
- Genetic factors
- Hormone imbalances
- Insomnia
- Life changes
- Medications
- Severe anxiety or stress.
Severe Depression Symptoms
Severe depression affects different people in different ways. As a result, depression symptoms vary greatly among individuals. Some of the most common depression symptoms include:
- Agitation, irritability and listlessness
- Apathy
- Changes in appetite or weight fluctuations
- Changes in sleep patterns, insomnia or fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feelings of sadness, worthlessness and/or guilt
- Lack of energy
- Loss of interest in daily activities or hobbies
- Reduced sex drive
- Suicidal thoughts.
Treatment for Severe Depression
Those suffering with severe depression can’t just “buck up” and feel better. They usually require long-term treatment to manage this chronic medical disorder. Severe depression treatment may involve one or more of the following methods:
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
- Healthy lifestyle choices
- Herbal remedies
- Light Therapy
- Medication
- Psychotherapy
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation.
Severe Depression Test
If you’ve been suffering from a combination of the above-mentioned depression symptoms for the past two weeks or more, you may be experiencing severe depression. It’s important to consult your physician immediately if you think this is the case. If left unchecked, severe depression can worsen, requiring more time and more rigorous treatments to care for your condition.
Resources
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Staff. (n.d.) Understanding depression. Retrieved May 4, 2010, from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Staff website: www.camh.net/About_Addiction_Mental_Health/Mental_Health_Information/Depressive_Illness /depressive_ill_understanding.html.
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2010). Definition. Retrieved May 4, 2010, from the Mayo Clinic website: www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/DS00175.<
National Alliance on Mental Illness Staff. (n.d.) What is depression? Retrieved May 4, 2010, from the National Alliance on Mental Illness website: www.nami.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Mental_Illnesses/Depression/Mental_Illnesses_What _is_Depression.htm.
World Health Organization Staff. (n.d.) Depression. Retrieved May 4, 2010, from the World Health Organization website: www.who.int/mental_health/management/depression/definition/en/.