Clinical Depression
Clinical Depression Causes
There is no specific known cause of depression. Specialists think that factors such as biochemical, genetic, and environmental may cause depression. Factors that may risk developing or triggering the condition may include having other biological relatives with depression, stressful life events, low self-esteem and being overly dependent, self-critical or pessimistic, substance abuse, or recent child birth.
Clinical Depression Definition
Clinical depression is a medical illness involving the mind and body, affecting how an individual thinks and behaves. The condition causes various emotional and physical problems and may hinder the individual's usual daily activities.
Clinical Depression Diagnosis
Specialists interview the patient about mood and thoughts, or ask the patient fill out a questionnaire to screen or check for depression symptoms. A patient suspected as being depressed undergoes a battery of medical and psychological tests and exams. These procedure help rule out other problems that could be causing the symptoms, pinpoint a diagnosis as well as for any related complications. These exams and tests may include physical exam, laboratory tests, and psychological evaluation.
Clinical Depression Symptoms and Signs
Symptoms of the condition differ from person to person. Some may have show obvious symptoms while others only feel miserable or unhappy without knowing the reason. Symptoms may include a loss of interest in normal daily activities, sleeping problems, irritability, restlessness, being easily annoyed, feeling fatigued or weak, feeling worthless, loss of interest in sex, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches.
Clinical Depression Treatment
Some cases of depression are treated by a primary care doctor. Others need psychiatrists, psychologists, or social workers. Standard options include medications, psychotherapy, and electroconvulsive therapy. Other emerging and less-studied treatments include brain stimulation and, complementary and alternative treatments.