Browsing: Depression

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a mental illness defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The DSM provides the diagnostic criteria used by doctors for major depressive disorder (MDD) and all mental disorder diagnoses.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a very real illness that can cause significant suffering in many life areas including relationships, work, school, participation in daily activities, health, thought patterns, and emotions. In its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), the American Psychiatric Association describes it as the “classic condition” of all depressive disorders. MDD is often what people mean when they use the word “depression.” What, precisely, is meant by this heavy word? Read on to explore what MDD truly is, the epitome of major depressive disorders.

Dysthymia disorder is a depressive mood disorder. Dysthymia is characterized by longstanding depression symptoms where the patient is depressed more days than not for a period of two years or longer. People who suffer from chronic depression often experience life-long depression. About 6% of people will experience dysthymia disorder at some point in their lifetime.¹

The term “atypical depression” suggests this type of depression is unusual when, in fact, it’s thought to be quite common. Some doctors feel atypical depression is underdiagnosed, as it may not be as severe as the typical major depressive disorders. Others think those with atypical depression symptoms may have a less severe form of bipolar disorder.¹

While each person experiences depression differently, there are side effects of depression that affects everyone with this illness to some degree. Perhaps the word that encompasses all depression side effects is “suffering.” This mental disorder causes deep misery and suffering because it affects someone’s whole being—mind and body.

Living with depression is difficult. For those living with depression for years, the struggles can seem almost unbearable. Chronic depression takes its toll and can significantly impact lives, but the situation isn’t hopeless. If you’ve been struggling with depression for a long time, there are things you can do to loosen its grip on you.

There is a strong relationship between depression and alcohol. The two can contribute to each other in a dance that quickly becomes a vicious circle. When someone is struggling with depression, the idea of turning to alcohol for some relief, known as self-medicating, can be tempting. Conversely, drinking alcohol can lead to depression symptoms in someone who hadn’t previously experienced them, or it can worsen depression symptoms in someone already living with depression. The nature of the relationship between alcohol and depression does indeed run deep. It’s also intricate. Let’s look at what is known about the nature of their connection.

Depression thoughts are the words and images in our head that dominate during depression. They are loud, obnoxious, negative, and hurtful. They’re one of the components of depression that wreak the most havoc on people living with depression.