Anxiety Disorders
Attention Deficit (ADHD) Autism Spectrum Disorders Bipolar Disorder Borderline Personality Disorder Depression Eating Disorders Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Panic Disorder Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Intermittent Explosive Disorder Schizophrenia Children's Issues Adolescents Issues Medications Parenting Substance Abuse Suicide Prevention Veterans |
Depressive Disorders
We all have periods in our life when we feel sad, lonely or “down in the dumps”, particularly after we have experienced loss. These periods or feelings are considered part of the normal experiences of life. Unlike normal emotional experiences of sadness, loss, or passing mood states, depression is persistent, and can significantly interfere with an individual’s thoughts, behavior, mood, activity, and physical health. Among all medical illnesses, depression is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. and many other developed countries. These disorders effect almost 20 million people a year in this country and can occur to anyone, at any age, and to people of any race or ethnic group. Depression does occur twice as frequently in women as in men. Research indicates therapy, combined with medication are the most effective means of treatment. The depressive disorders are grouped under a category called mood disorders. Included in this category are major depressive disorder, dysthymia, bipolar disorder, and mood disorders due to general medical conditions or substance abuse. For each of these mood disorders there are specific criteria that a person’s symptoms must meet in order to receive a diagnosis. Major depression and dysthymia, (a milder yet more enduring type of depression) are the most commons forms of depression. Major or Clinical Depression: The symptoms of major depression represent a significant change from how a person functioned before, and is characterized by a combination of symptoms that interfere with a person’s ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy once–pleasurable activities. The onset of the first episode of major depression may not be obvious if it is gradual or mild. When several of these symptoms occur at the same time, last longer than two weeks, and interfere with ordinary functioning, professional evaluation and treatment is needed. Symptoms of Major Depression can include:
For more information on Depressive Disorders go to: National Institute of Mental Health National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) American Psychological Association PsychCentral All About Depression Depressed Like Me MentalHelp.net National Institute of Mental Health National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression Women & Depression |