What is Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)?
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), also known as clinical depression, is a severe mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in daily activities. It affects mood, thoughts, and physical health, often lasting weeks or longer without proper treatment.
For many, the mental health condition affects daily functioning, making it challenging to carry out everyday tasks and impacting work, school, and/or relationships. Some may feel overwhelming sadness or dissatisfaction without understanding the underlying cause.
Depression might occur only once in your lifetime, but it’s common for individuals to experience multiple episodes. During these episodes, symptoms of depression tend to last most of the day, nearly every day, and can include:
- Persistent sadness or feelings of emptiness and hopelessness
- Irritability, anger, restlessness, anxiety, agitation, or frustration, even over trivial things
- Disrupted sleep patterns, such as insomnia or excessive sleep
- Fatigue and low energy that makes even simple tasks feel overwhelming
- Loss of interest or pleasure in regular activities, including sex, hobbies, or sports
- Changes in appetite, leading to weight loss or gain due to increased cravings
- Feelings of guilt or worthlessness, often dwelling on past mistakes
- Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or remembering details
- Slowed thinking, speech, or physical movements
- Recurring thoughts of death, suicidal ideation, or suicide attempts
- Unexplained physical symptoms (i.e., headaches, back pain)
Managing depression involves a combination of therapy, lifestyle adjustments, and depression medications like the common SSRI, fluoxetine (Prozac). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is commonly used to address negative thought patterns, while regular exercise, adequate sleep, and a strong support system can also play significant roles. Antidepressants can help balance brain chemistry, promoting long-term recovery.