Definition:       A clinical depression is one that lasts for at least 2 weeks and affects the person’s behaviour and has physical, emotional and cognitive effects.

Signs and Symptoms

A person who is clinically depressed will have at least 2 of the following symptoms for at least 2 weeks:

1. An unusually sad mood that does not go away
2. Loss of employment and interest in activities that used to be enjoyable
3. Lack of energy and tiredness

People who are depressed can also have other symptoms such as:

4. Loss of confidence in themselves or poor self-esteem
5. Feeling guilty when they are not really at fault

6. Wishing they were dead

7. Difficulty in concentrating or making decisions

8. Moving more slowly or sometimes becoming agitated and unable to settle

9. Having difficulty  in sleeping or sleeping too much

10. Loss of interest in food or eating too much – weight gain or loss

 

Guide to severity of depression

–  symptoms must be experienced over the past 2 weeks.

Ÿ  Mild Depression:                   4 of the 10 symptoms

Ÿ  Moderate depression:           6 of the 10 symptoms

Ÿ  Severe depression:                8 of the 10 symptoms

(Ref: NICE, London 2004)

Possible Causal Factors

Examples include:

• A break up of a relationship or living in conflict
• Loss of job and difficulty finding a new one
• Being a victim of crime
• Pregnancy/having a baby
• Having an accident which results in long-term disability
• Unresolved bereavement, particularly in childhood
• Some medical conditions – stroke, dementia or Parkinson’s disease
• The side-effects of certain medications or drugs
• The stress of having another mental disorder
• The stress of alcohol or drug abuse
• Premenstrual and menopausal changes in hormone levels
• Lack of exposure to bright light in the winter months

Treatments that work for depression