What the public normally thinks of as clinical depression is more accurately named major depressive disorder (to distinguish it from depression that stems from other illnesses), yet the populace still uses the more familiar term. They’re quite able to make that distinction, though, understanding that this type of depression is the kind that takes over one’s life, rather than merely being a matter of “being a bit down” for awhile. With regard to clinical depression, the symptoms include physical signs like low sex drive, weight gain, sleep problems and lethargy, as well as emotional symptoms like lack of self-esteem, low concentration, negativity and sadness, or even thoughts of suicide and self-harm.
Things we tend to think of separately, like post partum depression or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), are actually sub-categories of major depressive disorder. One of the distinguishing features of all the categories is that the pervasive low mood lasts for at least two weeks or even longer, and the patient experiences at least five of the typical clinical depression symptoms. That’s the point where it’s clear that this is more than simply being “a bit down,” and therapy and treatment become necessary.
Recommended treatments for major depressive disorder generally include medication, psychotherapy and sometimes the controversial electroconvulsive therapy. But new treatments have been springing up in recent years that raise some people’s eyebrows in doubt, while others absolutely swear by them. Light therapy has crossed from questionable to clearly legitimate, as more has been learned about SAD. For other natural treatments, though, the jury is still out. Using herbal remedies like St. John’s Wort, or non-western treatments like acupuncture, appear to work for some while they leave others cold.
What matters, of course, is getting help, whether that involves alternative, psychiatric, or medical treatments. The person is usually too immersed in the depression to do the work alone, so they need to find a therapist who can function as a bit of a sleuth. The doctor will check possible triggers of the depressive episodes, like a recent bereavement or a past traumatic history. They will investigate possible physical causes like family genetics. They might even be able to rule out major depressive disorder as a diagnosis, if they discover that some other physical ailment is really the root cause, and can be treated medically. Professional help is needed to go through all these possibilities, to discover the correct diagnosis and help put the depressed person on the road to recovery.
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