Depression is an emotional state characterized by the exaggeration of negative feelings. The person usually becomes inactive and dejected thinking nothing is worthwhile. There are different types of depressed states;


Depressed Mood - refers to a period of sadness or unhappy mood that can last for a brief or extended period of time. This normally occurs for a reason, such as loss of a significant relationship, or failure in something that was important to the individual.


Major Depressive Episode - here the onset of the depression is gradual. It occurs over a period of several weeks or months, lasts several months and then ends gradually. The characteristic features of the major depressive episode are;

• Depressed Mood or irritable most of the day
• Loss of pleasure or interest in the usual activities
• Loss of appetite
• Sleeping Problems
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Guilt feelings, feeling worthless
• Difficulties in thinking
• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
• Psychomotor retardation or agitation
  
  
  Major Depressive Disorder - Individuals who undergo one or more Major Depressive Episodes that last for longer then two weeks. This disorder is said to be on the U.S society's greatest mental health problems. In fact, the percentage of Americans who will experience major depression at some point in their lives is estimated to be around 17%.
  
  
  Dysthalmic Disorder - This is a mild persistent depression that does not classify as a Major Depressive Disorder because the symptoms are not severe enough. This type of people are usually introverted, pessimistic, incapable of having fun, have low levels of energy, low self esteem,sleeping or eating problems. This syndrome is about half as common as Major Depressive disorder.
  
  
  

  Treatment of Depression

  
  The most common course of therapy for depressed patients are antidepressant drugs. There are three major classes of antidepressant drugs,
• MAO inhibitors - that interferes with an enzyme that degrades norepinephrine and serotonin
• Tricyclics - blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin.
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI's) - blocks the reuptake of serotonin. (eg: Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft)
• Natural remedies - These act like SSRI's but have none of the side effects because they are natural products. Check them out HERE
  The choice of drug depends on the doctor's opinion and on balancing out symptom relief versus side effects.