When depression is severe enough to be treated medically, it is referred to as
major depression. Cecil’s Textbook of Medicine describes major depression as "a markedly gloomy mood in which
there is a loss of interest in life, a lack of pleasure in almost all activities, and a general feeling of hopelessness
and worthlessness." There is low self-esteem, and a sense of loss of control. At times, this can cause intense
emotional upset to the point that the person may actually become physically ill.
Major depression should be differentiated from a normal grief response. The grief
response is typically shorter in duration and does not affect a person’s self-esteem. All of us are familiar with
stress, and sometimes the stress in our lives can cause us to experience profoundly sad moods. These sad moods
are to be expected on occasion, and they are a normal reaction to specific situations such as the loss of a loved
one, money or marital problems, or other emotionally stressful events. However, when these feelings are intense
and last more than 2 weeks, this could be a sign of major depression and you should consult your physician.
In the United States, over 11 million people suffer from depression. Up to 25%
of all women, and up to 10% of all men can expect to experience a major depressive episode at some time during
their life. It is unclear why this rate is higher in women. One possibility is that women are just more likely
than men to actually seek help and report their symptoms to a physician. Another possibility is the stress of the
dual employment and homemaker roles that many women today experience. In the past, traditional roles for women
were oriented towards the family. Today, most women are involved in careers yet still must fulfill several obligations
to the family such as child care and housework. This can be a significant source of stress and frustration.
It is important to understand that major depression is a medical condition. It
does not indicate that a person is flawed or weak. In fact, sometimes the depression can be related to medical
problems such as thyroid disorders, or to certain medications that a person may by using. It can be diagnosed by
most primary care physicians, and more importantly it can be effectively treated. Treatment involves either psychotherapy
(which means counseling with a doctor or therapist), medications, or some combination of the two. Currently, there
are numerous types of medications that can be used. Some of the most promising are called "selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitors" or SSRI’s. This particular class of medication has a very low rate of serious side effects,
and is considered to be very safe.
In summary, current medical opinion is that depression is a medical disorder,
and not a character flaw. If you feel that you may be experiencing depression, I urge you to discuss it with your
physician because most likely, help is available.
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