Depression or Sadness?

Did you read Keshi's post about depression and suicide?
Here is a chance to learn about it from the professional point of view.

So many of us very randomly describe ourselves as "depressed", describe someone as "having depression", or even ignore the fact that we could be clinical depressed! How can we find out if we are exaggerating or minimizing our own or a loved one's condition?

Here is the criteria that we use to assess for the diagnosis of depression in someone.

See if you meet the criteria, and if you don't you are NOT depressed. Maybe sad, maybe trying to adjust to a life shift, maybe overwhelmed but NOT depressed.

Do you:

Have five (or more) of the following symptoms have been present during the same 2-week period and represent a change from previous functioning; at least one of the symptoms is either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure?


(1) depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either subjective report (e.g., feels sad or empty) or observation made by others (e.g., appears tearful).

(2) markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day (as indicated by either subjective account or observation made by others)

(3) significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain (e.g., a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month), or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day.

(4) insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day

(5) psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down)

(6) fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day

(7) feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (which may be delusional) nearly every day (not merely self-reproach or guilt about being sick)

(8) diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day (either by subjective account or as observed by others)

(9) recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide

B. The symptoms do not meet criteria for a Mixed Episode.

(IGNORE THIS ONE)

C. The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

(THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT!! IF YOU ARE "DEPRESSED" BUT ABLE TO FUNCTION WELL IN YOUR DAILY LIFE, IT IS NOT CLINICALLY SIGNIFICANT!)

D. The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition (e.g., hypothyroidism).

( YOU SHOULD NOT BE FEELING THIS WAY BECAUSE OF A CERTAIN SIDE EFFECT OF A MEDICATION OR ANOTHER MEDICAL CONDITION. IT HAS TO BE PURELY PSYCHOLOGICAL.)

E. The symptoms are not better accounted for by Bereavement, i.e., after the loss of a loved one, the symptoms persist for longer than 2 months or are characterized by marked functional impairment, morbid preoccupation with worthlessness, suicidal ideation, psychotic symptoms, or psychomotor retardation.

(IF YOU ARE UPSET AFTER THE LOSS OF A RELATIONSHIP, EITHER THROUGH BREAK UP OR DEATH, YOU ARE NOT DEPRESSED. HOWEVER, IF THE SADNESS PERSISTS BEYOND 2 MONTHS, ALONG WITH THE SYMPTOMS MENTIONED ABOVE, THEN YOU QUALIFY FOR DEPRESSION)

Depression is very common. It can happen to all of us. Caste, age, sex, religion, skin color, nationality, skin color, no bar!!

Depression is not incurable. It is one of the easiest to cure if you get the required help at the right time. NO! You do not have to be on antidepressants, if that bothers you. NO! You do not have to be in psychotherapy all your life. Some cases are resolved in less than 4 sessions! And YES! You can make some life changes to prevent a relapse!

Did you know that women are more prone to depression than men?Did you know that children and adolescents also suffer from depression? Did you know that many people can hide these symptoms very well? Did you know that depressed people often feel suicidal but have no energy to execute the plan?

Depression is nothing to be ashamed of. We all live life. We all encounter horrors. Deaths, job losses, breakups, health issues, loneliness, low self-esteem, yada yada yada! We all know its not easy. Sometimes, when everything happens all at once, we are overwhelmed. Our body gets into a panic mode. And presto!! Your brain begins to release all those not so nice neurotransmitters that cannot help but make you feel sad for long periods!

Like Keshi, I will open this post up for anonymous comments if you have any questions for me. I will be glad to help. I want us all to be happy, whether in the real world or blogosphere. This is a great place to start. And I hope you make full use of it!

Have a nice day!!