mood_faq

What is major depression and how is it different from sadness? Don't we all get depressed?

Major depression is a serious, potentially life threatening illness.

- We may all get sad, but only 15% develop the illness of major depression.

- The most common symptoms of depression can be summarized using the mnemonic SIGECAPS:

Decreased Sleep (especially with early morning awakening);
Decreased Interest in things and people (anhedonia = (literally) absence of joy, decreased capacity for pleasure);

Guilt feelings;
Decreased Energy (note that some depressed patients can have an increase in nervous energy);
Decreased Concentration (often with decreased memory that can even mimic dementia);
Decreased Appetite (for food and for sex);

Psychomotor agitation or slowing (translation: patient is either markedly slowed down in their movements or can't sit still - either condition can be seen in major depression);

Suicidal thoughts (note that these can be passive - "I'd be better of dead; I'm no good to anyone" - to active - "I want to kill myself").

Score: one point for each symptom that has lasted for at least 2 weeks.

4 = possible depression;

5 or more = depression until proven otherwise.

Depression is often accompanied by physical symptoms:

- constipation, loss of libido, headache, and a lowered pain threshold can all be symptoms of depression.

- the person may not recognize the symptoms as part of depression.

- it is important to rule out any medical causes of the symptoms, such as hypothyroidism or to anemia.