What kind of disorder is clinical depression

When these stressful events occur, your risk of becoming depressed is increased if you stop seeing your friends and family and try to deal with your problems on your own. You may be more vulnerable to depression if you have certain personality traits, such as low self-esteem or being overly self-critical. This may be because of the genes you've inherited from your parents, your early life experiences, or both.

If someone in your family has had depression in the past, such as a parent or sister or brother, it's more likely that you'll also develop it. Some women are particularly vulnerable to depression after pregnancy. The hormonal and physical changes, as well as the added responsibility of a new life, can lead to postnatal depression. Feelings of loneliness , caused by things such as becoming cut off from your family and friends can increase your risk of depression.

When life is getting them down, some people try to cope by drinking too much alcohol or taking drugs. This can result in a spiral of depression.

Cannabis can help you relax, but there's evidence that it can also bring on depression, particularly in teenagers.

Alcohol affects the chemistry of the brain, which increases the risk of depression. You may have a higher risk of depression if you have a longstanding or life-threatening illness, such as coronary heart disease or cancer. You must also experience 5 or more of the following symptoms in the 2-week period:.

However, several factors can increase your risk of developing the condition. A combination of genes and stress can affect brain chemistry and reduce the ability to maintain mood stability. MDD is often treated with medication and psychotherapy. Some lifestyle adjustments can also help ease certain symptoms.

People who have severe MDD or have thoughts of harming themselves may need to stay in a hospital during treatment. Some might also need to take part in an outpatient treatment program until symptoms improve. Primary care providers often start treatment for MDD by prescribing antidepressant medications. SSRIs are a frequently prescribed type of antidepressant.

SSRIs work by helping inhibit the breakdown of serotonin in the brain, resulting in higher amounts of this neurotransmitter. It may help improve mood and produce healthy sleeping patterns. People with MDD are often thought to have low levels of serotonin. They have a relatively low incidence of side effects that most people tolerate well. These affect serotonin and norepinephrine. These drugs can cause several side effects, including weight gain and sleepiness.

As with any medication, benefits and side effects need to be weighed carefully with your doctor. Psychotherapy, also known as psychological therapy or talk therapy, can effectively treat people with MDD.

It involves meeting with a therapist regularly to talk about your condition and related issues. Your healthcare professional may also recommend other types of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapy. In addition to taking medications and participating in therapy, you can help improve MDD symptoms by making some changes to your daily habits. Nutritious foods benefit your mind and body, and while no foods can cure depression, certain healthy food choices can benefit your mental well-being.

Exercising , especially outdoors and in moderate sunlight, can boost your mood and make you feel better. People with depression often have trouble sleeping. They find it difficult to enjoy anything or be positive about the future. Read more about coping with grief and bereavement.

There are different types of depression, and some conditions where depression may be one of the symptoms. These include:. Read more about diagnosing depression. See a GP if you experience symptoms of depression for most of the day, every day, for more than 2 weeks.

Read more about low mood and depression. Page last reviewed: 10 December Next review due: 10 December