Major Depressive Disorder

Major depressive disorder is also known as clinical depression, unipolar disorder, or recurrent depression. It is a mental illness that affects a person’s ability to sleep, work, study, or enjoy the company of friends and family. In many cases Major Depressive Disorder is also accompanied by anxiety disorders. Major Depressive Disorder as well as anxiety disorders are not something that can be “snapped out of”. It requires long term treatment in the form of counseling, medication or other treatments. If left untreated it can lead to self-harm or even suicide. Most people who undergo treatment for depression and anxiety disorders are often able to resume normal, happy, healthy lives.

Symptoms of MDD

The symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder and anxiety disorders can be more than just emotional. Symptoms can also be physical or mental. Emotional symptoms range from irritability, feelings of hopelessness, deep sadness, inappropriate guilt and regret, to lack of self-esteem and the loss of enjoyment in normally pleasurable activities. People who have depression or anxiety disorders will often times feel that life is not worth living. Physical symptoms include headaches, lethargy, tense muscles, or loss of appetite. In some cases Major Depressive Disorder or anxiety disorders can have strong effects on a person’s mental state by causing unpleasant hallucinations, delusions, poor memory, or the inability to concentrate.

Diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder

Diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder is based off of a person’s self-reported experiences, a mental status examination, and behaviors reported by friends and family. During the diagnosis process a qualified medical or mental health provider will ask a patient a series of questions to help determine whether or not the patient has Major Depressive Disorder or other anxiety disorders.

A person is diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder if they meet the diagnosis requirements laid out by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association. In order to be diagnosed as having Major Depressive Disorder a patient must have had at least one major depressive episode. A major depressive episode is described as a period of at least two weeks where the patient has experienced a persistent depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure. In addition to feelings of depression a patient must experience at least five of the following symptoms on a near daily basis. The symptoms of both major depression and anxiety disorders are insomnia/hypersomnia, fatigue or loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt, diminished ability to think or concentrate, depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, significant weight loss/gain (when not dieting), either observable slowing of thoughts and movement, or the opposite, observable agitation, or recurring thoughts of death or suicide.

Although there is no official laboratory test to diagnose Major Depressive Disorder, physicians and mental health providers often have a patient undergo an examination to check for a physical condition that may cause some of the same symptoms as Major Depressive Disorder or anxiety disorders. Symptoms that resemble Major Depressive Disorder can be brought about through physical injury such as head trauma or automobile accidents.

Treatment Options

There are a wide variety of treatment options for people suffering from Major Depressive Disorder or other anxiety disorders. Treatment options vary from antidepressant medications, herbal supplements to therapy or counseling. In many cases a combination of prescription medications and counseling is prescribed.

Some of the most commonly prescribed medications are Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) and Norepinephrine and Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitors (NDRIs). These medications alter the brains ability to absorb certain chemicals and have moderate side effects. Herbal supplements are an alternative to prescription medication. The most commonly taken herbal supplements are St. John’s Wort and Magnolia Bark. These supplements are not approved by the FDA to treat depression and anxiety disorders but have been used for centuries to treat depression and anxiety disorders. Therapy sessions allow a patient to speak to a counselor about issues that may be causing depression and begin to understand and overcome them.

Major Depressive Disorder or other anxiety disorders can have a serious effect on day to day life. Seeking proper treatment is the first step in regaining control of the situation and resuming a normal life. It is important to research treatment options as well as evaluate depression levels. With the proper treatment, it is possible to resume a normal, happy, and healthy life.