Clinical depression is the more-severe form of depression, also known as major depression or major depressive disorder. It isn't the same as depression caused by a loss, such as the death of a loved one, or a medical condition, such as a thyroid disorder.
Women are nearly twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression. Depression can occur at any age. Some mood changes and depressed feelings occur with normal hormonal changes. But hormonal changes alone don't cause depression.
Depression creates a sensation of isolation as if you are lost in the wilderness with no direction. The final stage is acceptance, which means you have finally made peace with the reality of your mental illness.
Clinical depression is a chronic condition, but it usually occurs in episodes, which can last several weeks or months. You'll likely have more than one episode in your lifetime. This is different from persistent depressive disorder, which is mild or moderate depression that lasts for at least two years.
Clinical depression, or major depressive disorder, is often just called “depression.” It's the most severe type of depression. Without treatment, depression can get worse and last longer. In severe cases, it can lead to self-harm or death by suicide.
1–5: no depression. 6–10: mild. 11–15: moderate. 16–20: severe.
During the fourth stage, depression, the grieving person comes to the certainty and reality of death. The person almost becomes frozen in their tracks. Up to this point, sadness reigns, but the individual is able to muster the energy to maneuver – to deny, to have anger, or to bargain.
According to the Mayo Clinic, patients with untreated long-term depression are more prone to sleep disruptions, heart disease, weight gain or loss, weakened immune systems, and physical pain. Depression can result in an unhealthy cycle.
Traumatic or stressful life events, such as the loss of a loved one or major financial problems. Personality traits that include negativity, such as low self-esteem, being too dependent or self-critical, or always thinking the worst will happen. History of other mental health disorders, such as a personality disorder.
Atypical depression is a type of depression in which you experience a temporary boost in mood in response to positive events. Other symptoms specific to atypical depression include increased appetite, hypersomnia and rejection sensitivity. It's treatable with psychotherapy and antidepressants.
An estimated 3.8% of the population experience depression, including 5% of adults (4% among men and 6% among women), and 5.7% of adults older than 60 years. Approximately 280 million people in the world have depression (1).
Depression is one of the world's most common health conditions. It's estimated that one-in-three women and one-in-five men have an episode of major depression by the age of 65. Depression is one of the most common health conditions globally.
Social withdrawal is the most common telltale sign of depression. "When we're clinically depressed, there's a very strong urge to pull away from others and to shut down," says Stephen Ilardi, PhD, author of books including The Depression Cure and associate professor of psychology at the University of Kansas.
The five stages are: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
If you've been treated for depression but your symptoms haven't improved, you may have treatment-resistant depression. Taking an antidepressant or going to psychological counseling (psychotherapy) eases depression symptoms for most people. But with treatment-resistant depression, standard treatments aren't enough.
Women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, and the prevalence of anxiety disorders is significantly higher for women (23.4 percent) than men (14.3 percent).
Depression is very treatable. But, only about half of all Americans who are diagnosed with depression in a given year get treatment.
It can make you feel sad, irritable or empty and lose pleasure or interest in things you usually enjoy. Depression affects 1 in 8 men at some point in their lives. Men are more likely to be aware of the physical aspects of depression, such as feeling tired or losing weight, rather than changes in how they feel.
Each person's recovery is different. Some recover in a few weeks or months. But for others, depression is a long-term illness. In about 20% to 30% of people who have an episode of depression, the symptoms don't entirely go away.