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Major depression - coping with severe clinical depression

Major Depression or clinical depression as it is sometimes termed is a complex and diverse condition that can have a debilitating effect on the lives of those who suffer from it. Medical professionals have a formal classification system which they use to categorise the various different forms of depression. It should however be kept in mind that clinical depression effects each patient differently and thus symptoms of the disorder may vary substantially from case to case.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), the formal Criteria for a Major Depressive Episode entail an individual suffering from one of the following symptoms for a period not less than 2 weeks in duration:

•  A noticeably depressed, low mood

•  A substantially reduced interest in pleasure and pleasurable day to day activities.

In addition, the individual must also exhibit at least four of the following symptoms during the same 2 week period:

•  A marked change eating habits which is accompanied by at least a 5% increase or 5% decrease in normal body weight.

•  Sleep disturbance, insomnia or oversleeping on a daily basis.

•  Significant decrease or increase in normal activity levels, accompanied by feelings of being slowed down or agitation.

•  Decrease in energy levels and the sensation of being exhausted on a daily basis.

•  Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, hopelessness and apathy

•  Indecisiveness and the inability to concentrate on simple tasks.

•  A fixation with death and suicidal thoughts accompanied by possible suicide attempts.

Finally, the major depressive episode must not be bipolar or mixed in nature and must not be a natural grief reaction due to the loss of a loved one or a similar distressing incident. The depression should also not be caused by drugs, alcohol or any other physical ailment. The symptoms which an individual experiences should result in a significant impairment in occupational, social or other vital areas of functioning.

Initial episodes of major depression may be triggered by an unnaturally stressful event in a person's life. Subsequent depressive incidents may however have no distinct cause whatsoever and may be triggered by normal day to day events. The good news is that in over 80% of major depression cases, the condition can be successfully treated and controlled. In mild cases of clinical depression, simple lifestyle changes such as a reduction in the consumption of alcohol and learning effective relaxation techniques can greatly reduce depressive episodes. In cases of severe depression, medication or psychotherapy or a combination thereof may be needed to bring depressive episodes under control.

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