MENTAL PROBLEMS

Clinical depression is also known as major depressive disorder or unipolar disorder. A person is said to suffer from this disorder when intense sadness or despair reaches a point where it begins to affect his or her social functioning. A variety of clinical depression symptoms could characterize this condition and give friends and family indications of the person’s situation. A depressed mood or anhedonia that goes on for at least two weeks is one of the definite clinical depression symptoms. If accompanied by two other classic clinical depression symptoms, then it is a clear indication of the individual’s condition.

An inability to feel emotion, lack of interest in daily activities, extreme weight loss or gain, disturbed sleep patterns, fatigue, feelings of guilt or hopelessness or anxiety, trouble with concentration or memory, suicidal thoughts, and fear of abandonment are some of the other classic clinical depression symptoms. Two of these accompanied by either a depressed mood or anhedonia would bring about a diagnosis of clinical depression. It is possible that children might also exhibit clinical depression symptoms though these maybe different from those in adults. The Beck Depression Inventory is a 21-question multiple choice survey used to gauge the severity of depression.

There are numerous reasons for clinical depression and these could include heredity, physiology, psychological conditions, life experiences, medical conditions, substance abuse, and a variety of other reasons. Hence, treatment of clinical depression symptoms will also vary depending upon the individual and the reasons for their depression. A person suffering from clinical depression can at times prove to be a risk to his or her well-being and this is one very good reason why such a person must get help at the earliest. Often the individual himself may not be willing to admit that he has a problem such as this. 

It is up to the family and friends of the concerned individual to ensure that he gets the required attention immediately. There are different methods of treatment and medication and the best course will have to be decided by the attending physician and the patient and his or her family. Lifestyle changes and changes in food habits are also on top of the list f recommendations made by doctors treating all kinds of depression. Following these diligently and taking medications regularly almost always helps people overcome their problems with depression. If left untreated, clinical depression can lead to a variety of physical ailments as well.

Women have been found to be twice as more likely to suffer from clinical depression. At least 25 percent of women will suffer at least one bout of depression in their lifetime compared to 10 percent of men. High school students and college goers also fall in the susceptible category. The elderly could also be easily prone to clinical depression and their symptoms are often mistaken for the problems that age brings with it. Seniors suffering from advanced clinical depression symptoms are highly likely to have suicidal tendencies as well, more so than the younger patients.