Major Depression Disorder - Recognizing and Treating It

Major Depression Disorder - MDD - is more than just being "down" for a while; it's more like a full-blown psychiatric disorder. It is also known as "clinical depression" or Major Depressive Disorder. This distinquishes it from other forms of mental illness.

"Clinical Depression," however, is the term used by most people in the non-medical community. But the symptoms of major depression disorder are so severe that they tend to dominate people's lives. Symptoms include weight gain or loss, sadness, loss of sex drive, negativity, lack of confidence and self-esteem and inability to focus. Thoughts of self-harm and suicide are not uncommon in more extreme cases.

There are actually 'sub-categories' of Major Depression Disorder, to include postpartum depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. (Hey, "SAD" is a perfect acronym, isn't it?:-) So what is the common thread that connects these types of depression? It's a low mood that lasts for over two weeks and the patient must have at least five of the 'typical' depression symptoms. So when a person has these symptoms, he or she needs therapy ASAP; they are not simply experiencing a "down" time.

The treatments for MDD include medication, psychotherapy, and sometimes even the age-old and controversial "electroconvulsive therapy" or ECT. (By the way, today's Electroconvulsive Therapy is very high-tech compared to the old "shock therapy" used long ago.) You may remember Jack Nicholson's character in "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest," where he would come out of these ECT sessions bewildered and confused.

There are new treatments, however, that have been introduced. Opinions vary as to their effectiveness, but they show promise nonetheless. Light therapy, once considered questionable, now has become established as a proven treatment for SAD - Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Other natural treatments, however, haven't enjoyed as good a track record. Herbal remedies such as St. John's Wort, for example, have a spotty record of effectiveness. This includes acupuncture for depression.

Regardless the method, getting some treatment going soon is crucial. Time is of the essence - don't wait until your friend or loved one harms him or herself. Overcoming or managing the illness is the important thing, whether the treatment is alternative, psychiatric or medical.

The best way to approach treatment will be to find a therapist who will look into any physical reasons for depression first - BEFORE examining emotional triggers.

After this, an evaluation of emotional triggers should be done; things like suppressed sadness over the loss of a loved one, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), or something else in the past.

So the best therapist is one who can be part sleuth and part therapist, because there are so many possible causes and contributors to depression. Things such as alcohol abuse, prior sexual abuse, lack of natural light - the list goes on and on. But by being a good detective, he or she can find the correct root causes for Major Depression Disorder and be able to recommend the correct treatment(s).

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