Understanding clinical depression is important in identifying warning signs and seeking proper mental health depression treatment. A constant feeling of sadness and hopelessness is a sign someone may be living with major depression, also referred to as a clinical depression. Clinical depression can impact people during a short period, while others experience this type of pain throughout their lifetime.
This is not a disorder that should be treated lightly or overlooked as someone being in a “funk”. Learn more about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options of clinical depression.
What is Clinical Depression?
It is normal to feel sad, down, or lonely. However, understanding clinical depression means that it is much more than just feeling unhappy. Major depression is often defined as having a depressed mood for most of the day. This feeling lasts for many days in a row. As a result, you find little interest in activities you normally enjoy.
Clinical depression can also impact achieving daily tasks such as getting out of bed or eating regular meals. If these feelings of extreme sadness and hopelessness last for two or more weeks, it is a warning sign of being clinically depressed.
Understanding Clinical Depression Causes
There are several causes linked to clinical depression. Some are more susceptible to this disorder due to their genetics. For example, men or women diagnosed with clinical depression can pass along major depression disorder to their children.
On the contrary, many people with a clinical depression diagnosis have no family history of the illness. Depression is brought on by several outside factors such as:
- Physical or mental abuse
- Medications
- Death or loss
- Traumatic life events
- Substance abuse
Additionally, clinical depression can be a result of untreated mental health disorders. For example, if anxiety is untreated it can lead to major depression. An anxiety treatment program is a far superior alternative.
It is also possible that clinical depression is not a result of a stressful life event or addictive substance. Many people experience feelings of extreme sadness and loneliness for no reason at all.
Understanding Clinical Depression Symptoms
Understanding clinical depression symptoms or warning signs is important in knowing if treatment is necessary. Because everyone is different, no two people will experience the exact symptoms associated with major depression. For example, some people with clinical depression experience insomnia. Others excessively sleep for most of the day.
Common symptoms of clinical depression include:
- Diminished concentration and increased indecisiveness
- Little motivation to participate in almost all activities
- Increased weight loss or weight gain
Lastly, many people experience feeling of worthlessness and extreme sadness. This type of intense emotion may lead to recurring thoughts of suicide or death.
Understanding Clinical Depression Treatments
There are a variety of different mental health depression treatments available today. Mental health depression treatment may include medication or talk therapy. People diagnosed with a mental health disorder can also benefit from an outpatient depression treatment program.
A depression treatment program specifically focuses on improving mental health. It helps identify the cause of extended feelings of sadness. In a mental health depression treatment program, individuals can meet with professional therapists to talk through their thoughts and feelings. This is beneficial in coping with troubling emotions.
Lastly, a depression treatment program provides people with healthy lifestyle changes to improve their quality of life. Finding solace in exercise, meditation, or journaling are common solutions in alleviating clinical depression symptoms.
Seeking Treatment for Clinical Depression
Living with major depression is a challenging experience. Understanding clinical depression symptoms is especially important for those who think they have a mental health disorder. If you are experiencing any of the warning signs associated with clinical depression, please research and learn about potential treatment options today.