After the many years I spent under the cloud of impending doom suffering from a severe long episode of major depression I believe they were the worst and the best in my life.
Allow me to explain and please don't think I am under the influence of something because I am not, never been. Those years were indeed the worst but when I finally started getting and feeling better I came to realize that I came out stronger and more "philosophical" so to speak.
I know you may wonder "yeah right". But please believe me, after feeling so bad and desperate for not seeing results according to my wishes (you know, one wants to get better NOW), I had some time to think about life and its intricacies.
It's funny to realize how much time I wasted trying to figure out why and why me?, but when I started focusing on what could I do to get better?, things started to change for the good, slowly but changing nevertheless.
Major depressive disorder (also known as clinical depression, major depression, unipolar depression, or unipolar disorder) is a mental disorder characterized by a pervasive low mood, low self-esteem, and loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities. Persons dealing with major depression want to do nothing and stay in bed all day.
The term "major depressive disorder" was selected by the American Psychiatric Association for this symptom cluster under mood disorders in the 1980 version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) classification, and has become widely used since.
The general term depression is often used to describe the disorder, but as it is also used to describe a depressed mood, more precise terminology is preferred in clinical and research use.
This is a disabling condition which adversely affects a person's family, work or school life, sleeping and eating habits, and general health. In the United States, approximately 3.4% of people with major depression commit suicide, and up to 60% of all people who commit suicide have depression or another mood disorder.
The diagnosis of major depressive disorder is based on the patient's self-reported experiences, behavior reported by relatives or friends, and a mental status exam.
There is no laboratory test for major depression, although physicians generally request tests for physical conditions that may cause similar symptoms. The most common time of onset is between the ages of 30 and 40 years, with a later peak between 50 and 60 years. Major depression is reported about twice as frequently in women as in men, although men are at higher risk for suicide.
There is no way to fully understand why things happen the way they do, but when facing life challenges, face them head on and with faith, trust and help from family, friends and health care professionals or alternative practitioners.
I still have a long way ahead of me, I know. But I trust that if I ever face another episode of major depression, chances are I will be more prepared physically and mentally.
The biggest lesson of all, to ask for help. You don't have to face your depression all by yourself. This mental illness is tough enough to do so. Seek help and support. - 16004
About the Author:
Dr. Arturo Ovies is a Doctor who has lived with Depression and Bipolar Disorder since childhood. Over the past five years he has dedicated his entire attention to the research and teaching of how these debilitating mental illnesses can be for the patients themselves and their families. He has developed an easy to read and follow guide to Depression Recovery on his website.
