Major Depression Disorder – How To Deal With It
When you think of depression, you probably think of the term, “clinical depression.” It is more than just a low mood; it’s actually a pretty serious disease. Major depression disorder is the official medical term for clinical depression. (It’s also known as “major depressive disorder.)
Most people, however, are more familiar with the term, “clinical depression” when describing MDD. In any case, people with MDD can often do little more than just deal with their symptoms; dealing with this disease is a full-time job by itself. The symptoms of major depression disorder can include physical as well as emotional problems, including loss of sex drive, weight fluctuations, sadness, lethargy, negativity, and lack of self-esteem, among others. Suicide and other thoughts of self-harm often accompany more extreme cases.
Some types of depression such as postpartum depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) are actually forms of major depression disorder. (By the way, sometimes it is referred to as “Major Depressive Disorder.”) People considered to have MDD – regardless of the type of ‘sub-category’ depression type – must be a depressed mood for over two weeks and have at least five other classic depression symptoms. So if a patient is experiencing these symptoms, treatment becomes necessary. This is not just a case of “the blues.”
Treatments for MDD have changed over the years, but one controversial treatment is still used 70 years after its introduction: ECT or ElectroConvulsive Therapy.
Some new treatments are starting to be used today, with some people swearing by their effectiveness and others swearing at them. Light therapy, for instance, has proven effective for seasonal affective disorder, whereas it was once considered bogus.
There are other natural remedies for depression, however, that have not been as effective. St. John’s Wort, for instance, is one herbal treatment that works for some people (mild depression only) but not for others. Acupuncture falls in this category as well.
But don’t wait until things get critical with your friend or loved one (or yourself!). Get some sort of treatment going ASAP. Whether the treatment is ‘official’ established depression treatment or some weird alternative treatment, the important thing is to get something going.
It would be best to find a qualified medical person who would look for any physical reasons for the depression first. (Things such as diet, disease, and heredity).
Then emotional problems should be looked into, and this includes past trauma, bereavement, any suppressed mental struggles and so forth.
Because depression can (and often) has many causes instead of just one, it’s best to find a therapist who can be a good ‘detective’ as well as medical professional. After all, everything from alcohol to lack of sunlight to sexual abuse can be causes. These skills are necessary to discover the right causes for MDD and recommend the correct treatments.
Chuck’s incredible survival of a suicide attempt when he was just 16 years old inspired him to write a book to help others. To discover more about Major Depression Disorder, go to his site at http://www.dealwithdepression.org
categories: major depressive disorder,clinical depression,symptoms of depression,manic depression,depression