Major Depression

Major depression is a serious condition also known as clinical depression, major depressive disorder or unipolar depression. The condition is one of persistent sadness and lack of energy. The individual with major depression no longer takes pleasure in things and activities that used to bring joy.

... These physical manifestations are actually insidious in nature ...

The person may have loss of appetite or excessive appetite resulting in weight loss or weight gain. These physical manifestations are actually insidious in nature. By the time that the person who has major depression gains or loses a noticeable number of pounds, he is often deep into the depressive state. It may be very difficult to extricate him out of the state.

... Thoughts of dread and hopelessness invade the person’s ability to rest ...

Sleep problems are common among individuals who have major depression. Some find it impossible to sleep. These individuals are physically and emotionally exhausted but unable to fall into a restful state of sleep. Thoughts of dread and hopelessness invade the person’s ability to rest.

... would rather sleep their lives away rather than face the all-encompassing major depression ...

 Others find themselves preferring sleep over their waking state. These individual would rather sleep their lives away rather than face the all-encompassing major depression. The lack of sleep has a negative impact on the person’s quality of life in general. The person in the depressive state may complain of constant fatigue and lack of energy.

Overall there is a general feeling of despair that the individual with major depression wears almost like a second skin. The feeling seems to become part of the person’s body in a way. The condition spirals into a deeply seeded attitude of self-loathing and misery. When in the depressive state, the individual may not attest his attitude and outlook to a mental condition. Instead he adopts it as part of his personality. This makes major depression seemingly impossible to escape.

... The condition of major depression typically lasts from six to nine months ...

The condition can affect almost anyone at any age but it is most commonly found in individuals between the ages of twenty-five and forty-four years of age. The condition of major depression typically lasts from six to nine months and after that period of time it leaves with no intervention almost the way the body gets over a common cold.
 
For some the major depression does not leave. These individuals need to find professional help. The condition can be successfully treated with antidepressant medication. Since the success of medication is so profound, many doctors believe that there is a biological rather than a psychological foundation for major depression. In any case, it is crucial to find help if depression persists or reoccurs over a long period of time.

... medications and treatments being prescribed that are proving to be very effective in treating symptoms of major depression ...

Major depression is a debilitating mental illness that affects nearly 9.9 million adults in the United States in any given year. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness at www.nami.org, major depression is diagnosed after more than one of these symptoms such as, difficulty sleeping, sadness, irritability, agitation, or thoughts of hopelessness or suicide occur at the same time, persist for over two weeks, and interfere with normal activities (work, social outings, activities of daily living). Other physical symptoms may occur as well, like nausea, abdominal pain, or headaches. Mental health professionals, psychiatrists, and psychotherapists can help those that are suffering from major depression; there are new medications and treatments being prescribed that are proving to be very effective in treating symptoms of major depression.

... Antidepressant medications make more of these neurotransmitters available to correct the imbalance and alleviate symptoms ...

There are a number of factors that can contribute to the development of major depression. A genetic link is also quite common, but just because there is a genetic predisposition doesn’t mean that the condition will develop. Also, current psychological stressors combined with biological and environmental factors play a huge part. Chemical imbalances that occur between the neurotransmitters in the brain, serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine are thought to be one of the causes of major depression. Antidepressant medications make more of these neurotransmitters available to correct the imbalance and alleviate symptoms. There are different classes of antidepressants that work differently; the oldest group is the tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil, which is still prescribed for more severe cases, and the newest is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which work quite well and are better tolerated than tricyclics or another older medication, like monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

... Major depression doesn’t have to be a debilitating mental illness ...

Psychotherapy is another effective treatment that is most often used in combination with prescribed medications for major depression. If symptoms persist and response to medications is inadequate, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be recommended. You may be having visions of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”. It’s not like that at all, and many patients respond quite well when other types of treatment have failed. Major depression doesn’t have to be a debilitating mental illness. There are many resources available to help patients learn about and live with major depression, including mental health professionals, online information sites, and support groups. Seeking help is the first step in conquering mental illness, and adhering to prescribed treatment plans and communicating with mental health professionals is the second. It is possible to live a normal life and overcome major depression; it takes just one step – ask for help. 

This article was written by Henry Norer. He is an expert in the field of using naturally occuring materials to ease physical and mental disorders.