MAJOR DEPRESSION

MAJOR DEPRESSION

The major depressive disorder (MDD) (also known as recurrent depressive disorder , clinical depression , major depression , unipolar depression , or unipolar disorder ) is a mental disorder accompanied by low self-esteem , and loss of interest or pleasure in activities normally pleasant .

 This group of symptoms ( syndrome ) was named , described and classified as one of the mood disorders in the 1980 edition of the diagnostic manual of the American Psychiatric Association. The term "depression" is ambiguous. E ' is often used to denote this syndrome but may refer to other mood disorders or to lower mood but lack clinical significance . Major depressive disorder is a disabling condition that adversely affects family life , work or academic performance of a person , sleep and eating habits , we can say overall health. Worldwide, about 3.4% of people with major depression commit suicide , and up to 60 % of people who commit suicide have depression or another mood disorder.

The diagnosis of major depression is based on the experiences reported by the patient , behavior reported by relatives or friends , and a mental status examination . There is no laboratory test for major depression , although physicians generally apply for a test to the physical conditions that can cause similar symptoms . If depressive disorder is not detected in the early stages , can lead to a slow recovery and affect or worsen the person's physical health . Standardized screening instruments can be used to detect major depressive disorder . The most common period of onset is between 20 and 30 years, with a peak later, between 30 and 40 years.

 Usually, patients are treated with antidepressant drugs and , in many cases, also receive psychotherapy or counseling , although the effectiveness of the drug in cases of mild or moderate depression is  with associated self-neglect or a significant risk of harm to themselves or others. Only a small proportion are treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , under a short-acting with general anesthesia. The disease is highly variable . Depressed individuals have shorter life expectancies than those to medical illnesses and suicide . It is not clear if the drugs affect the risk of suicide .

The understanding of the nature and causes of depression has evolved over the centuries , though this understanding is incomplete and has left many aspects of depression as the subject of discussion  social , hereditary , evolutionary and biological . The use of short- or long-term drugs can cause and worsen both depressive symptoms . Psychological treatments are based on theories of . Most biological theories focus on serotonin and other chemicals, norepinephrine and dopamine, which are naturally present in the brain and that facilitate communication between nerve cells .