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Types of Depression
II
Depression in Women
II Depression in Men
II
Childhood Depression
II
Adolescent Depression
II
Depression in the Elderly
II
Clinical Depression
II
Major Depression
II
Dysthymia II
Atypical Depression
II
Bipolar Depression
II
Cyclothymia II
Seasonal Affective Disorder
II
Postpartum Depression (PPD)
II
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
(PMDD)
II
Holiday Depression II
Workplace Depression.
Severe Depression.
Severe depression, also known as clinical depression, major
depression and unipolar depression, affects almost 10 million Americans annually.
This number translates to about 5 percent of the adult population
that will experience major depression. Among all medical
illnesses, severe depression is the leading cause of disability in
the United States.
The effects of severe depression can be so intense that daily
functions like eating, sleeping or simply getting out of bed in
the morning seem impossible.
Women are twice as likely as men to suffer from severe depression.
Severe depression can occur with any age group and any ethnic,
racial or socioeconomic group.
Severe depression is often a chronic, recurring illness. Although
some people who experience an episode of severe depression once
will never have another episode, the majority of people with
severe
depression will have additional episodes during their life. About
75 percent of those who experience an episode of severe depression
will have at least one more episode in their lifetime.
Although major depression is just one type of depression, it is a
severe form of depression. The three main categories of depression
are major depression, dysthymia and bipolar depression. With
severe
depression, more symptoms of depression are present and these
symptoms are usually more intense.
Severe depression can be the result of a traumatic event. Severe
depression can also develop slowly from a number of personal
disappointments and problems. Some people develop severe depression
without any obvious crisis to blame.
If the onset of severe depression is gradual, the person
experiencing major depression may not be aware of the severity of
their problem.
The symptoms of severe depression include;
_ Persistent sadness or irritability.
_ Feelings of guilt, worthlessness or hopelessness.
_ Changes in sleep, appetite and energy.
_ Lack of interest in activities that were once enjoyed.
_ Difficulty thinking clearly, concentrating or remembering.
_ Physical ailments like headaches or chronic pain that do not
respond to treatment.
_ Thoughts of death or suicide.
If several of these symptoms of severe depression occur, last
longer than two weeks and interfere with daily functioning,
treatment should be sought out.
If untreated, severe depression episodes can last six months to a
year. Research has shown that cognitive therapy coupled with
lifestyle changes like diet, supplementation and exercise is the
best treatment for severe depression. This severe depression
treatment approach nets better results than using antidepressant
medication and/or psychotherapy.
Antidepressant medications can be helpful, but the person with
depression considering the use of antidepressants should be
well educated on the side effects and risks of taking these drugs.
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