Depression Learning

Severe Depression

Severe or major depression or as it is also know major depressive disorder is recognized as a combined state of symptoms that hinder an individual from functioning in a normal day to day routine. An individual who is affected by severe depression can experience just a single episode of depression in his or her life time or it could plague them off and on for their entire life.

The signs for depression vary and different individuals experience this disease in many different ways. However, there are some common signs that are truly good indicators that someone may have severe depression and the list below is a good guide of what to look for. If you suspect someone you know may be severely depressed these are the some of the criteria to watch for: Feelings of severe anxiety and nothingness, Hopelessness and a feeling that life is not worth living, Lack of self worth, dignity, unusual irritability, A desire to just give up and let nature take it’s course, Continued restlessness and loss of energy

Insomnia, waking up earlier than necessary then inability to return back to sleep, Extremes in eating habits – no appetite to over indulgence, Sudden unexplained urges to cry, Suicidal thoughts that persist, Health and body issues such as aches, pains, cramps etc that don’t seem to want to go away even when medically treated

It is also to be noted that contrary to popular believe almost all severe depression is treatable but like other disabling diseases the sooner it is diagnosed and treatments began the better he will be for it.

One of the biggest steps to finding cause and cure is to convince the patient that he needs to seek medical advice.

Once the doctor suspects severe depression in a patient he will begin to try and rule out other possibilities. For example some medications and even some viruses can create the same symptoms as depression. Once these other possibilities are ruled out the doctor will refer the patient to a specialist in the mental health field for a complete psychological evaluation.

This will include a thorough investigation to find out things such as Family history of mental illness and in particular severe depression, A time line of symptoms and variety of them that occurred, Length, degree and if the symptoms were recurring, Alcohol and drug use if any by patient, If the patient had experienced any suicidal tendencies ,

Treatments for severe depression are similar to other forms of mental disorder – psychotherapy and psychiatric medications and in the most severe cases electro convulsive therapy. Diet and exercise, self help and family support go a long way as well in treating a person with severe depression. Severe depression tended to be written off for years as not a serious disease or one to be taken seriously. Men were told to be strong and get their acts together while women were often institutionalized and if all else failed even more drastic operational cures were tried such as partial lobotomies. Medical science is growing in leaps and bounds in this field that was neglected for far too long.

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