What is the difference in general depression and severe depression?

Different situations that arise in our lives can sometimes leave us feeling sad. Maybe we have experienced a death in our family, maybe someone we love has been diagnosed with a debilitaitng illness, or maybe we just lost our job. All of these events can certainly make you feel overwhelmed and upset. Feeling sad is a normal human response.

If you find yourself or see that someone you care about is in a state of lingering hoplessness or deep sadness then you should consider the possibility that you/they could be suffering from clinical depression. Professional counselors can determine if you are depressed and perhaps determine if you need medication. A psychologist or psychiatrist can better serve you if your symptoms tend to fall into the catagory of severe depression.

Normal depressions are almost always the result of stress. A person that is in a constant state of peril, sadness, and hopelessness has reason to consider treatment. Here are a few symptoms according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

• sleeping more than usual feeling fatigue
• loss of interest in things that usually make you happy
• wanting to be alone
• feelings of anxiousness, severe sadness, and complete aloneness
• changes in appetite
• difficulty concentrating
• irritability
• feelings of worthlessness

There are also a few variable types of depression that may exist along with other mental health conditions. Only a doctor can determine what those conditions are for you. Below is a general list of the differnet catagories of depression. THese are categories of depression according to DSM-IV

• Unipolar Disorders--Dysthymia, adjustment disorder, major depressive disorder
• Bipolar disorders--Cyclothymia, Bipolar I disorder depressed, Bipolar II disorder depressed
• Other mood disorders--Mood disorder due to a general medical condition, or substance induced disorder

These are each indicitve of thier own symptoms as they are individually a different condition that has depression linked to it. Just because you are diagnosed with depression does not mean that you have another mental health issue.

Most people find relief from depression through medications. Some of these anti-depressants can make your symptoms worse if you are not on the one that is chemically right for you. So, stay in close contact with your doctor if you are prescribed these medications. Inform your doctor of any worsening symptoms immediatly. Eventually your doctor and you together can find a treatment that will help defeat depression.