| Depression is a serious condition affecting many | | | | What is Chronic Depression? Chronic depression is a |
| people at any given time. There is some difference | | | | disease of varying severity. The person who is |
| between an individual saying that he or she is feeling | | | | experiencing chronic depression may even be able to |
| depressed and someone who is experiencing the | | | | function rather normally; however, they often appear |
| clinical form of depression. Occasionally feeling | | | | to be unhappy. The symptoms of chronic depression |
| depressed is part of being human. It is normal and | | | | are persistent, but they are not of the same magnitude |
| natural for people to occasionally feel sad or moody | | | | as those shown by someone experiencing major |
| for a day or two. When that feeling becomes | | | | depression. Chronic depression is also called |
| extended, however, then the individual may be | | | | "dysthymia." |
| experiencing depression. | | | | What is Major Depression? Major depression is the |
| What Causes Depression? Depression can be caused | | | | most severe kind of depression that a person can |
| by emotional factors. At times, the world becomes | | | | experience. It is possible for a person to experience |
| overwhelming and frightening. People experiencing | | | | major depression at one time in his or her life without it |
| such emotions can become depressed. These | | | | becoming chronic or repetitive. In this case, the |
| overwhelming emotions can be caused by triggering | | | | depression can be said to be "episodic," and is |
| events. At other times, however, there does not seem | | | | probably related to a single event and will not be |
| to be a triggering event for depression. At such times, | | | | repeated. However, depression can also be |
| the actual cause for depression might be genetics, | | | | "recurrent." This kind of depression is seen repeatedly |
| hormonal causes, or chemical imbalances in the body. | | | | over a person's lifetime, which is separated by periods |
| General anxiety disorder may be associated with the | | | | in which the person is not depressed. |
| cause of depression as well. | | | | Chronic and major depression can be treated in the |
| What does Depression Look Like? The symptoms of | | | | same manner as "regular" depression. Depression is |
| depression can vary from case to case. People with | | | | responsive to "talk" therapy, as well as to medications. |
| depression can lack energy or interest in the world. In | | | | "Talk" therapy is that which most people are familiar, in |
| addition, people experiencing depression may find it | | | | which the client and the therapist square off with each |
| difficult to concentrate, and may experience feelings of | | | | other either in private or in groups. In addition, |
| worthlessness. People experiencing depression may | | | | medication can be used to treat depression. Various |
| als be restless and find it difficult to sleep. The | | | | kinds of drugs are available for treatment of |
| symptoms of depression must show a change in the | | | | depression. Medication is often used in combination |
| manner that a person used to feel or behave. They | | | | with talk therapy. Many people consider this |
| symptoms of depression may vary based on the age | | | | combination to be most effective, as medication can |
| and sex of the individual. Because depression is so | | | | quiet the patient's symptoms while talk therapy can be |
| variable, the only way to diagnose depression is by a | | | | used to get to the root of the problem and address it. |
| professional. | | | | |