What Is Clinical Depression And What Are Its Symptoms?

Clinical depression is a major psychiatric disorder. It negatively affects the entire activities of an individual. The way you think, feel and act or do- no longer remains the same. In other words what is clinical depression is not the normal depression. An individual with clinical depression is unable to function properly. He looses interest in activities which were his favorites in the past. This way this kind of depression is different from normal sadness for few days.

Clinical depression affects both body and mind. It affects thoughts, moods and behavior. It changes normal food habits, ability to work and interact with people. Patients loose interest in them and become hopeless. This condition may last for days, weeks, months or years. It can happen to people of all ages be it children or adolescents. It can be major cause of suicide.

There are different types and levels of clinical depression. Three major forms of clinical depression are major depression, bipolar disorder and dysthymia. Major depression is the severest form of clinical depression. It shows a combination of chronic symptoms that affect the normal functioning of life. It can relapse three four times in the life of an individual. Dysthymia is the mild form of depression. But it also shows long term chronic symptoms. Bipolar symptoms occur followed by elation.

Signs and symptoms of clinical depression are quite obvious. Both men and women show variety of symptoms such as feeling of sadness, change in mood, and noticeable loss of interest in enjoyable activities. Patients remain in sadness, empty mood and anxiety for long. They loose appetite or and suffer from weight loss. Insomnia or oversleeping is very common among depressed people. Some other major symptoms include fatigue, decreased energy level, headache, pain, lack of concentration and pessimism.

Treatment for depression varies from person to person. It depends on the patients' mental and psychological condition. Three most common treatments are psychotherapy, electroconvulsive therapy and medication. Some other conventional treatments include self test, vagus nerve stimulation and life style changes. Administration of drugs like antidepressants also benefits the sufferers. Some of the common anti depressants are citalopram, imipramine, fluoxetine and paroxetine. In psychotherapy the patient is exposed to cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. Under theses therapy sufferers are taught healthy behaviors and how to cope with a difficult situation.

In electroconvulsive therapy controlled current shocks are given into the brain to induce a seizure. But this is done only in emergency. Light therapy also works in the treatment of depression. The sufferer is exposed to bright light which works as an anti depressant. Acupuncture and exercises have been reported to have significant impact on the patients of chronic depression. And last but the least meditation may have magical effects on the depressed people. Thus what is clinical depression is all about the mental condition of a patient and the way he is treated.

Privacy Policy Contact Us