Depression (Psychology)

An emotional state typically characterized by low mood, despondency, and feelings of hopelessness. Individuals who are depressed tend to feel pessimistic about the future, unhappy, or “down in the dumps.” While feelings of sadness or depression are common, a clinical diagnosis of major depressive disorder (according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [fourth edition, text revision; DSM-IV-TR]) is characterized by more severe symptoms that last for at least two weeks. Symptoms of a diagnosable major depressive disorder include depressed mood or intense sadness, loss of pleasure, disturbance of appetite and sleep patterns, psychomotor retardation or agitation, loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness and guilt, difficulties concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of suicide or death. Depression is a risk factor for suicide. Major depressive disorder is one of the most common disorders encountered by mental health professionals. Women experience depression at higher rates than men, with nearly twice as many women suffering from depression than men. Single people experience depression at higher rates than separated and divorced people. Different causal factors have been linked to depression, and much remains to be known about its etiology. Psychological models of depression link stressful events to depression. Biological models of depression have linked depression to genetic factors, altered neurotransmitter activity, hormonal changes, and low levels of activity in the left anterior or prefrontal cortex. Seasonal changes have also been connected to depression. The “diathesis-stress model” of depression proposes that some people have vulnerability factors that, when paired with stressful life events, increase the risk for depression. Depression is usually treated with antidepressant medication and/or psychotherapy. Electroconvulsive therapy is also used with severely depressed patients.