Clinical Depression
By Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
updated on 11/19/2007 at 03:03PM
Clinical, or major depression, is the world's number one mental disorder, the second most disabling health condition in the world behind heart disease. And it's growing at an alarming rate. Clinical depression is an illness that affects your whole life. It permeates your mind, body, mood and thoughts. Clinical depression disrupts your daily activities, affects sleeping and eating patterns, and diminishes your enjoyment of life.
It not only affects the sufferer, but it also affects their friends, family, and co-workers as well. Clinical depression is not a sign of weakness and it’s nothing to be ashamed about. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months, or even years. But with help, you can find the appropriate treatment for your depression. If you think you or someone you love may be suffering from clinical depression, read on to learn more about its symptoms and causes, and what you can do to beat it.
Who Gets Clinical Depression?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 17 million Americans develop depression each year — that’s 1 out of every 10 people. Roughly 16% of Americans will suffer from clinical depression in their lifetime. And depression strikes people from all walks of life…young and old, male and female. However, the effects of depression may vary depending upon your age and gender.
Women undergo huge hormonal changes throughout their lives such as puberty, menstruation, menopause, pregnancy and child birth. These fluctuations make women twice as likely as men to develop clinical depression. However, men are less likely to seek treatment when they do get depressed. Therefore, men are at a greater risk for hurting themselves or others when clinically depressed. Seniors are highly susceptible as they may be living on their own, and they may be dealing with the physical stresses of aging.
Symptoms of Clinical Depression
The signs and symptoms of clinical depression vary for each sufferer. Not everyone who is depressed experiences every symptom. Some people experience a few symptoms, some many. The severity of symptoms can also vary from one individual to the next. But if you or someone you love is experiencing any or all of the following symptoms, you should seek help from a health care professional.
- Persistent sadness and anxiety
- Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
- Loss of interest in daily activities
- Loss of interest in sex
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating and remembering things
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Changes in appetite
- Suicidal thoughts
- Restlessness, irritability
- Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment (e.g. headaches and digestive disorders)
What Causes Clinical Depression?
Clinical depression is rarely linked to one cause. It’s more often the result of a combination of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors. Genetics may play a role in the development of clinical depression, as it tends to run in families. However, it can also occur in people who have no family history of depression. Whether inherited or not, clinical depression is often associated with changes in brain structures or brain function.
People who tend to have low self-esteem or a negative outlook are more prone to developing clinical depression. Additional factors, such as financial problems, the breakup of a relationship, or the death of a loved one are also usually involved in the onset of clinical depression. You can become depressed after changes in your life, like starting a new job, graduating from school, or getting married.
Physical conditions such as stroke, a heart attack, cancer, Parkinson's disease, and hormonal disorders can also cause depression. A sick person may become apathetic and unwilling to care for themself. Or the medication that a patient is taking for one of these conditions may cause depression as a side effect.
Getting Help: Treatment for Clinical Depression
The most important thing to remember about depression is that YOU CAN GET HELP. By seeking support from friends, family, and your health care provider, you can treat depression and enjoy life again!
Up to 80% of people who receive proper treatment for depression improve as a result. Holistic treatment methods include natural medication, therapy, or a combination of both. The more traditional method involves antidepressant medication, which works by affecting brain chemistry.
Therapy may take various forms. Talking therapy helps the sufferer gain insight and resolve the problems that are causing clinical depression. Behavioral therapy focuses more on patterns of behavior associated with the person's clinical depression, as well as steps that can be taken to reduce the effects of depression on the sufferer’s life.
Above all else, please remember that depression is a very treatable illness. You can get help with appropriate medical treatment and support from your friends and family.
Dr. Edward F. Group III continues to develop, sell and evaluate exclusively high-end natural and organic healthcare products to support a wide range of health conditions. Look for the product “Relaxyn” (a natural alternative to prescription anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds) to be released in late 2006. For more information, please visit the Web's best resource on stress, anxiety and depression at www.stress-anxiety-depression.org or www.ghchealth.com.
