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Major depression is a mood disorder present in people that experience severe depressive episodes either overnight or gradually over time. A person who has been functioning normally may be plunged into despair by a psychological trauma, but most often the onset of depression is gradual, occurring over a period of weeks or several months. The person experiences profound changes in most aspects of his or her life, such as decreased motivation and loss of pleasure or interest in usual activities. Other characteristic features include increase or decrease in appetite, sleep disturbances, loss of energy, difficulties in thinking, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, or recurrent thoughts of death or suicide. Major depression symptoms is the most severe category of depression, with the most defining symptoms present. A single episode can occur once and be treated successfully, never again requiring treatment, or the episodes can be recurring with periods of life crisis. All types of depression involve changes in the brain chemistry, altered levels of the different neurotransmitters that are necessary for brain function. Antidepressant medications are usually required to treat the symptoms of depression either for periodic episodes or for those patients who have been diagnosed as chronic sufferers. Post-partum depression after the birth of a child is an example of an episodic occurrence of depression, which is easily treated and should never be ignored. Research has shown that women are twice as likely as men to experience depression, mostly because they tend to analyze their depression and seek treatment. According to the Diagnostical and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, major depression symptoms is one and a half to three times more common among first-degree biological relatives of persons with the disease, than among the general population. Other features can also be present, such as the presence of psychosis that can further categorize the type of depression present. The type of antidepressant therapy prescribed by the psychiatrist should be specific for the type of symptoms present, and may require more than one medication. Psychotherapy is also recommended in conjunction with antidepressants and other prescribed medication, to treat the psychological basis for the depression, to decrease the occurrence of symptoms, and therefore decrease the need for medications. In a large percentage of patients with major depression symptoms, their first episode is not their last. Many factors contribute to the likelihood of recurrence. The most significant factors are how many previous episodes a person has had, how young the person was when the first episode occurred, if the person has a supportive family, and what type and amount of stressors are present. Some people are able to return to their normal pre-episode level of functioning, but most are not. The longer an episode of major depression symptoms lasts, the less likely it is that the person will fully recover. This can result in serious impairment in job status, income, marital relationships, and recreational activities. There are many treatments available for persons with major depression symptoms, and they no longer have to suffer in silence, as many once did. New pharmaceutical advances have allowed those who suffer from major depression symptoms and other psychological disorders to live a normal life, and not be kept as a prisoner of their symptoms. If you know someone who is living with major depression symptoms, encourage him or her to seek treatment from a qualified mental health practitioner and comply with his or her prescribed plan of treatment. Muna wa Wanjiru is the Web Administrator for http://www.merpetsales.com and has been researching and reporting on Internet Marketing for years. For more information on Major Depression Symptoms, visit his site at Major Depression Symptoms
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