Major Depression Is A Serious Medical Illness

Major depression is also known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression, is a mental disorder. Its characteristic symptoms are pervasive mood swings, low self-esteem and loss of pleasure or interest in activities that the individual generally found enjoyable.

Major depression is different from depression, although the terms are often used synonymously. But the fact is major depression is different from what is referred to as ‘depression, which is actually a depressed mood. Major depression is a disabling condition which affects and impairs an individual's work, family life, school life, sleeping and eating habits and overall health. Women are at a greater risk for major depression as compared to men, but suicide is more common among men. In the United States, about 3.4% of individuals with major depression commit suicide, while depression is a problem with 60% of all those who commit suicide.

Major depression is most likely to occur between the ages of 30 years to 40 years with a later peak between 50 years to 60 years. There are, however, no laboratory tests for depressions. Physicians and psychologists often do refer laboratory tests to assess that the symptoms are not the result of other diseases.

The symptoms of major depression are sometimes obvious, other times not so. Many a times they are mistaken for a depressed mood but the fact is major depression lasts longer and the symptoms will go well beyond two weeks. A person suffering from major depression will exhibit the following symptoms;

1. persistently sad or irritable mood

2. pronounced changes in sleep, appetite, and energy

3. difficulty thinking, concentrating, and remembering

4. physical slowing or agitation

5. lack of interest in or pleasure from activities that were once enjoyed

6. feelings of guilt, worthlessness, hopelessness, and emptiness

7. recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

8. persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain

Major depression can be brought about by a number of reasons and it's hard to pinpoint a single culprit. Psychological, biological and environmental factors may all play their part and often it is the combination of these rather than one isolated factor. Regardless of what caused if, major depression is a serious medical illness that warrants medical care.



What happens inside the body to bring about major depression? Scientists believe that norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine are three neurotransmitters (chemical messengers that transmit electrical signals between brain cells), and these are involved in major depression. When a chemical imbalance occurs in these neurotransmitters, major depression is the result. Anti-depressant medication works by stabilizing the chemical balances. Anti-depressants either increase the availability of neurotransmitters or change the sensitivity level of the receptors for them.

The heredity nature of major depression has been found to be quite a determining and predicting factor. An individual who has a family history of major depression is at a higher risk for developing major depression than those who don't have major depression in the family. This doesn't mean that every person with a family history of major depression will develop the illness, but for such individuals, there may be a genetic vulnerability.

Whatever the case may be, if you suspect that you or a loved one has major depression, you should immediately consult a psychologist as the condition will affect both your health and your life.

• Matt Thompson
• 31/12/2008, 12:59 PM
• 0 Comments