What does clinically depressed mean

However, knowing which type of depression is at the root of a persistent negative mood can support recovery. Situational depression stems from a struggle to come to terms with dramatic life changes. Recovery is possible once an individual comes to terms with a new situation.

For instance, following the death of a parent, it may take a while before a person can accept that a family member is no longer alive. Until acceptance, they may feel unable to move on with their life. Most people who experience situational depression begin to have symptoms within 90 days of the triggering event. It is also known as major depression or major depressive disorder. It is severe enough to interfere with daily function.

For a formal diagnosis of clinical depression, a person must meet the criteria outlined in the DSM. A person must show five or more symptoms from a specific list of criteria, over a 2-week period, for most of nearly every day. Some people with clinical depression experience delusions, hallucinations, and other psychotic disturbances.

In most cases, situational depression is only short-term. Mild cases of situational depression often resolve without active treatment. However, some strategies can help a person reduce the effects of situational depression.

People who find it difficult to recover from a traumatic experience might wish to seek consultation with a psychotherapist. People with severe situational depression might receive a prescription for medications including antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs. Clinical depression can last for a long time. It may require more long-term management and an in-depth treatment plan. Use these resources to find help for yourself, a friend, or a family member. If you or a friend or family member are thinking about taking part in clinical research, this page contains basic information about clinical trials.

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NIMH hosts an annual lecture series dedicated to innovation, invention, and scientific discovery. Contribute to Mental Health Research. Depression major depressive disorder or clinical depression is a common but serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. To be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least two weeks.

Some forms of depression are slightly different, or they may develop under unique circumstances, such as:. Examples of other types of depressive disorders newly added to the diagnostic classification of DSM-5 include disruptive mood dysregulation disorder diagnosed in children and adolescents and premenstrual dysphoric disorder PMDD.

If you have been experiencing some of the following signs and symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, you may be suffering from depression:. Not everyone who is depressed experiences every symptom. Some people experience only a few symptoms while others may experience many. The severity and frequency of symptoms and how long they last will vary depending on the individual and his or her particular illness.

Symptoms may also vary depending on the stage of the illness. Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the U. Current research suggests that depression is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors.

Depression can happen at any age, but often begins in adulthood. Depression is now recognized as occurring in children and adolescents, although it sometimes presents with more prominent irritability than low mood. Many chronic mood and anxiety disorders in adults begin as high levels of anxiety in children. These conditions are often worse when depression is present. Sometimes medications taken for these physical illnesses may cause side effects that contribute to depression.

A doctor experienced in treating these complicated illnesses can help work out the best treatment strategy. Depression, even the most severe cases, can be treated. The earlier that treatment can begin, the more effective it is. Depression is usually treated with medications , psychotherapy , or a combination of the two. If these treatments do not reduce symptoms, electroconvulsive therapy ECT and other brain stimulation therapies may be options to explore. Quick Tip: No two people are affected the same way by depression and there is no "one-size-fits-all" for treatment.

It may take some trial and error to find the treatment that works best for you. Many people with depression also have symptoms of anxiety. There can be physical symptoms too, such as feeling constantly tired, sleeping badly, having no appetite or sex drive, and various aches and pains. The symptoms of depression range from mild to severe.

At its mildest, you may simply feel persistently low in spirit, while severe depression can make you feel suicidal, that life is no longer worth living. Most people experience feelings of stress, anxiety or low mood during difficult times.

A low mood may improve after a short period of time, rather than being a sign of depression. It's important to seek help from a GP if you think you may be depressed. Many people wait a long time before seeking help for depression, but it's best not to delay.

The sooner you see a doctor, the sooner you can be on the way to recovery. Sometimes there's a trigger for depression. Life-changing events, such as bereavement, losing your job or giving birth, can bring it on.

People with a family history of depression are more likely to experience it themselves. But you can also become depressed for no obvious reason.

Read more about the causes of depression.