What is Clinical Depression?

What is Clinical Depression?

Clinical depression is considered to be the most severe form of depression. It’s also known as major depression or major depressive disorder. Unlike other forms of depression that can be manageable, clinical depression can take a toll on a person’s ability to live a normal life. People with clinical depression often struggle to work, go to school, sleep, socialize, and do everyday activities.

People who have clinical depression usually feel depressed for most of the day, especially after first waking up. Their symptoms are usually present every day for at least two weeks at a time. Some people experience clinical depression once in their life, and others have depressive episodes several times during their lifetime. 

Some of the common symptoms of clinical depression include:

• Feeling sad or hopeless
• Irritability 
• Loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable
• Oversleeping or insomnia
• Tiredness and lack of energy
• Appetite changes
• Slow thinking and body movements
• Feelings guilty
• Fixating on past failures
• Trouble thinking, concentrating and making decisions
• Having suicidal thoughts

Clinical depression can be caused by a number of different triggers, such as loss, social isolation, major life changes, relationship issues, abuse, and more. The disorder affects people of all ages, although depression often goes undiagnosed in children. Women are twice as likely to develop clinical depression than men and are also more likely to seek treatment.

Statistics on Depression

Depression is the second most commonly diagnosed mental health disorder in the United States. Data shows that about 17.3 million adults in the United States have at least one major depressive episode every year. That number represents over 7% of the U.S. adult population. Specifically, major depressive episodes were reported most frequently by young adults between the ages of 18-25.

Are There Different Types of Depression?

Depression isn’t a one-size-fits-all disorder. Many people don’t know that there are many types of depression that affect people differently. The main types of depression include:

• Major depression: Major depression, or clinical depression, causes people to feel depressed for most of the day, for a few weeks at a time.
• Chronic depression: People with chronic depression have mild symptoms of depression, like feeling down or tired, most days for two or more years.
• Bipolar disorder: Bipolar disorder used to be called manic depression, where people experience extreme mood swings that include severe depressive episodes.
• Seasonal affective disorder: Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression people experience during certain times of the year, most commonly during the fall and winter.
• Psychotic depression: Psychotic depression is a type of serious depression that causes hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia.
• Postpartum depression: Postpartum depression commonly affects new mothers in the weeks and months after they’ve given birth. Men can also get postpartum depression, although it’s rare.
• Atypical Depression: People who have atypical depression feel depressed most of the time, but are able to improve their mood when something positive happens. 

How Therapy Can Help Depression

For people suffering from any type of depression, talk therapy is usually an effective form of treatment. Going to therapy can help the person learn about their condition and figure out what might be causing it. A therapist can also help the person create healthy coping mechanisms when dealing with stressful situations.

If someone with depression is struggling with their relationships, a therapist might recommend family therapy or other forms of relationship counseling. Getting other people involved in the treatment process can be an effective way to strengthen important relationships and build a better support system.

Medications Used to Treat Depression 

People who have moderate to severe clinical depression may be prescribed medication to help them manage their symptoms. Some of the most common antidepressants that are prescribed for clinical depression include:

• Lexapro
• Prozac
• Paxil
• Zoloft
• Tofranil

However, medication isn’t a long-term solution and it doesn’t cure the underlying causes of depression. That’s why medication is most effective when used alongside talk therapy. Many medications also come with unwanted side effects and can be addictive. Before starting medication, it’s important to have all the facts and understand alternative treatment options.

TMS Therapy for Depression

While most people have success with a combination of therapy and medication, other people suffer from clinical depression that is treatment-resistant. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy has been shown to help people with treatment-resistant depression manage and even reverse their symptoms. 

TMS uses electromagnetic waves to stimulate parts of the brain that regulate mood. During a session, an electromagnetic coil is placed against the person’s forehead, and small pulses pass through the skull to stimulate areas of the brain. TMS is a non-invasive procedure and clients don’t require anesthesia. 

Studies conducted on TMS patients have found that up to 60% of people will see a reduction in their depressive symptoms. Nearly one-third of patients will go on to experience full remission.

If you or someone you love is struggling with clinical depression, contact us to learn more about the TMS services we offer at Pulse.