Depression - The Arch-Enemy of the Mind, Body, and Soul

I have had many friends seem depressed at times from schoolwork or relationship problems, but I had one particular friend who suffered from clinical depression. He stayed up late nights to do homework after he worked a long evening shift almost every night and came to school the next day lethargic and eerily quiet. We would try to start a conversation with him but he would not stay involved in it long; instead, he merely put his head on his desk and tried to take a nap. This behavior occurred frequently and his parents decided to get him some help. He visited a psychologist and sorted out and identified his stress and the sources of his depression. He drastically reduced the amount of hours he worked every week and started taking vitamins every day. Miraculously, he became a different person - more alive and well than ever before. I am glad that he could beat the terrible plague of depression.

What is Depression? (YouTube)

Recognizing Teenage Depression (YouTube)

Depression is known by many different names - clinical depression, major depression, unipolar depression - just to name a few. Its symptoms are many and vary case to case, but include a lack of self-respect, a lack of self-esteem, suicidal thoughts, a constant poor mood, and apathy in most cases. The causes of depression range from emotional problems to genetic problems; they encompass a vast set of medical and non-medical causes for disease. Biologically speaking, depression can be caused by an imbalance of specific brain chemicals, such as serotonin or dopamine. Treatment for depression is limited and some treatments are beneficial to some and do not work with others. Antidepressants work by increasing the levels of these brain chemicals, so they sometimes cause the mind to become unstable. Psychotherapy, a communication between a psychologist and a patient, sometimes helps depression as well. Electroconvulsive therapy, the application of electricity to the brain via electrodes, is saved as a later treatment.

Depression often solves itself over time if caused by stress or another psychosocial or emotional factor, but sometimes it becomes a chronic occurrence. It causes shorter life spans due to a percentage of those affected committing suicide and a psychosomatic reduction of one's physical health. Because it is almost commonplace in society, depression needs to be looked at seriously as a disease that needs research and investigation. Depression causes poor health and suicide and can often be reduced with treatment.

Further Information (sources):
http://www.uhs.berkeley.edu/lookforthesigns/clinicaldepression.shtml
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/clinical-depression/AN01057

Types of Depression

Depressive disorders come in different forms. There are several different diagnoses for depression, mostly determined by the intensity of the symptoms, the duration of the symptoms, and the specific cause of the symptoms, if that is known.
Psychology Information Online provides information on the following depressive disorders. Follow the title link for more information about each type of depression:

Major Depression - This is the most serious type of depression, in terms of number of symptoms and severity of symptoms, but there are significant individual differences in the symptoms and severity. You do not need to feel suicidal to have a major depression, and you do not need to have a history of hospitalizations either, although both of these factors are present in some people with major depression. There is no official diagnosis of "moderate depression."

Dysthymic Disorder - This refers to a low to moderate level of depression that persists for at least two years, and often longer. While the symptoms are not as severe as a major depression, they are more enduring and resistant to treatment. Some people with dysthymia develop a major depression at some time during the course of their depression.

Unspecified Depression - This category is used to help researchers who are studying other specific types of depression, and do not want their data confounded with marginal diagnoses. It includes people with a serious depression, but not quite severe enough to have a diagnosis of a major depression. It also includes people with chronic, moderate depression, which has not been present long enough for a diagnosis of a Dysthymic disorder. (You get the idea!)

Adjustment Disorder, with Depression - This category describes depression that occurs in response to a major life stressor or crisis.

Bipolar Depression - This type includes both high and low mood swings, as well as a variety of other significant symptoms not present in other depressions.

Franklin, Ph.D., Donald J. "Types of Depression." Psychology Information Online. 2003. The National Directory of Psychologists. 4 Dec. 2008 .