Depression is a mental disorder with a wide range of symptoms, and it can be divided into four distinct categories. These categories include major depressive disorder (MDD), persistent depressive disorder (PDD), bipolar disorder, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): MDD is characterized by long-term feelings of sadness, loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, and lack of energy. It is often referred to as “clinical depression” and can affect all areas of life, including work, relationships, and daily activities.
Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD): PDD can last for several years and is characterized by similar symptoms as those of MDD, only at a lower intensity. People with PDD experience periods of periods of mild to moderate depression that can last for a period of two years or more.
Bipolar Disorder: People with bipolar disorder experience two poles of mood-changing episodes—mania and depression. During the manic phase, individuals experience energy and heightened moods, while during the depressive phase, they experience all the symptoms of MDD.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): SAD is a type of depression that is characterized by the onset and the disappearance of depressive symptoms at specific times of the year, usually in the winter or early spring.
Common symptoms of SAD include mood swings, low self-esteem, poor concentration, insomnia, and fatigue.
No matter what type of depression someone may have, it is important to seek professional treatment and manage it properly in order to increase the chances of living a fulfilling and healthy life.
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What are 4 clinical characteristics of clinical depression?
There are four primary clinical characteristics of clinical depression, also known as major depressive disorder.
1. Depressed Mood: People who have clinical depression often experience persistent sadness, emptiness, and anxiety, as well as feelings of hopelessness and pessimism. They may be unable to enjoy activities that they previously found pleasurable and may lack the energy necessary to carry out even the most mundane tasks.
2. Loss of Interest or Pleasure: Loss of interest in activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed is also indicative of clinical depression. People with depression often feel unable to engage in activities that they previously found enjoyable, and may cease to take part in favorite activities or hobbies.
3. Changes in Weight or Appetite: People with clinical depression may experience sudden and unexpected changes in their weight or appetite. Sudden weight gain or unexplained weight loss is a common symptom of clinical depression.
4. Sleep Disturbances: Depressed individuals also often experience problems with sleep, such as difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, or waking up far too early in the morning. People with depression may also feel like they can’t sleep for more than a few hours at a time, or that they are not able to get the adequate amount of necessary rest.
How is clinical depression characterized?
Clinical depression is a serious mental health condition that is characterized by prolonged feelings of intense sadness and loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable or satisfying. This is accompanied by a number of physical and psychological symptoms that may manifest differently in each individual; however, some of the most common symptoms of clinical depression include persistent feeling of guilt or worthlessness, difficulty sleeping or oversleeping, changes in appetite or drastic weight loss or gain, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, thoughts of death or suicide, and avoiding social situations.
For someone to be clinically diagnosed with depression, they must experience five or more of these symptoms over a period of at least two weeks. Depression can be caused by many factors such as chronic medical conditions, certain medications, substance use, certain life events, or due to a chemical imbalance.
It is important to note that these feelings of sadness and loneliness are not just part of the normal emotions one feels when going through a difficult life event, as symptoms of clinical depression typically become distressing and interfere with one’s daily functioning.
If you believe that you or someone you know may suffer from clinical depression, it is important to seek professional help. Therapy and medications, when appropriately prescribed, have been proven to be quite effective in treating the symptoms associated with depression.
How many of the 9 symptoms of depression listed in DSM 5 must a person exhibit for the major depressive disorder criteria to be met?
According to the DSM 5, a person must exhibit at least five of the following symptoms for two consecutive weeks or more in order for major depressive disorder criteria to be met:
1) Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either subjective report (e.g., feels sad or empty) or observation made by others
2) Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day
3) Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain, or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day
4) A slowing down of thought and a reduction of physical movement (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down)
5) Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
6) Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (which may be delusional) nearly every day (not merely self-reproach or guilt about being sick)
7) Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day
8) Recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide
9) Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day
In order for major depressive disorder criteria to be met, a person must exhibit at least five of the nine above-mentioned symptoms for two consecutive weeks or more.
How does the DSM-5 classify depression?
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) is the manual used by mental healthcare professionals in the United States to diagnose and classify mental disorders. The DSM-5 classifies depression as a ‘mood disorder’, which is defined as an “intense and persistent disturbance in mood”.
According to the DSM-5, there are three major criteria for a diagnosis of depression – i) a depressed mood, ii) a variety of other symptoms associated with depression, such as problems sleeping or focusing and changes in energy or appetite, and iii) evidence of functional impairment or distress that causes the patient distress or difficulty in functioning in everyday life.
The DSM-5 also breaks down depression into several different subtypes, and it’s important for diagnosis and treatment planning for individuals. Depressive disorders include major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, substance/medication-induced depressive disorder, and depressive disorder due to another medical condition.
In addition to the criteria for diagnosis, the DSM-5 offers guidance for recognizing and treating the symptoms of depression. General treatments for depression can include psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, interventions like lifestyle changes, and medications.
It is important to note that the DSM-5 is just a tool used to diagnose and classify depression, and individual treatment may vary depending on a person’s specific needs.
