What is Major Depressive disorder?
Major Depressive disorder is characterized with a loss of interest in life, lack of energy, a person experiences a depressed mood that moves from mild to severe, with the severe phase lasting at least 2 weeks.
Symptoms of Depression
- Feelings of sadness or irritable most of the day, nearly every day.
- Loss of interested in most activities you once enjoyed, nearly every day.
- Changes in loss or gain weight or have a change in appetite.
- Having difficulty falling asleep or want to sleep more than usual.
- Feelings of restlessness.
- You feel unusually tired and have a lack of energy.
- Feeling worthless or guilty, often about things that wouldn’t normally make you feel that way.
- Having difficulty concentrating, thinking, or making decisions.
- Thoughts of death or suicide attempts.
Treatment for Depression
MDD is often treated with medication, physical activity, social support groups and psychotherapy. People who have severe MDD or who have thoughts of harming themselves may need to be admitted to the hospital during treatment.