Defining Clinical Depression / Betydelsen av klinisk depression.



There is research suggesting that a small portion (5-10%) of people out there are eternally happy and optimistic (like my wife Charlotte). Nearly everyone else (70-80%) gets depressed from time to time. It is normal and non-pathologic to get depressed or down in this way. I think there is a lot of stigma about "depression" because people get their personal feeling of being bit down confused with other more severe forms of clinical depressed. This is why those who suffer real clinical depression (10-15% of population) hear statements such as "get out of it" , "think positive", etc. etc. I Listen to Dr. Phil sometimes and hear him spewing out any number of such garbage.

There are many forms of depression and most have been defined clinically. It is important to understand the type of depression one suffers because this can greatly effect the determination of suitable treatment options and the progonosis of the depressive problem. For example, here are some clinical entities:

Adjustment disorder with depressed mood
Dysthymia
Substance induced mood disorder (alcohol and some other drugs can cause long term depression)
Bipolar depression
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Major Depressive Disorder with psychotic features
Melancholic Depression
Atypical Depression
Depression not otherwise specified

As you can imagine it is not too helpful for someone with adjustment disorder (mild) try to compare or give advice on their feelings about depression to someone who suffers Melancholic Depression (a more severe form). It is similar to me having tension headaches and telling a friend with severe migraines that they just need to rinse their face with cold water and get a face massage.

Major depression generally evolves over weeks. With significantly depressed mood other biochemical changes may take place. Appetite, energy level, concentration, attention, sleep may all change as a result of depression. These types of changes is what we mean by "clinical depression" or Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

Major Depressive Disorder is defined as a change of at least 5 out of 9 common symptoms lasting longer than 2 weeks with depressed or irritable mood. Symptoms include:

Mood
(depressed or irritable)
Sleep (classically decreased with early morning wakening)
Appetite
Decrease interests
Guilty or feelings of worthlessness
Decreased energy
Decreased concentration
Psychomotor retardation or agitation
Suicidal thoughts or apathy.

*we have had many questions/comments on depression, I hope to respond to some of them tomorrow.
Godnatt for now .....Dr. Lacy

Kommentarer
Postat av: Ann

Jag går igenom en själslig "inbördeskrig" och hatar när människor försöker säga att jag skall rycka upp mig. Jag har inte en tillfälligt nedstämdhet utan en klinisk depression. Jag önskar att alla visste skillnad.

/Ann

PS, tack för en bra blogg som jag regelbundet tittar in till.





2008-12-11 @ 16:07:41
Postat av: Camilla

Inressan blogg, kommer tillbaka! :)

2008-12-13 @ 12:49:34
URL: http://doden.blogg.se/

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