What is Clinical Depression?
There are several types of clinical depression which involve disturbances in mood, concentration, self-confidence, sleep, appetite, activity and behavior, as well as disruptions in friendships, family, work and/or school. Clinical depression is different than the experiences of sadness, disappointment and grief familiar to everyone, which can make it difficult to determine when professional help is necessary.
A period of depressed mood which lasts for several days or a few weeks is a normal part of life and is not necessarily a cause of concern. Although these feelings are often referred to as "depression," they typically do not constitute clinical depression because the symptoms are relatively mild and of short duration. Moreover, milder periods of depression are often related to stressful life events and improvement frequently coincides with positive life changes.
- A person experiencing a clinical depression, however, will likely experience substantial changes in their mood, thinking, behaviors, activities and self-perceptions.
- A depressed person often has difficulty making decisions, for example, and the day-to-day tasks of paying bills, attending classes, reading assignments and returning phone calls may seem overwhelming.
- A depressed person may also dwell on negative thoughts, focus on unpleasant experiences, describe themselves as a failure, report that things are hopeless, and feel as though they are a burden to others.
- The changes in mood brought on by depression frequently result in feeling or sadness, irritability, anger, emptiness, and/or anxiety.
There are also some types of depression, including Bipolar Disorder, in which depressive episodes alternate with manic or hypomanic episodes which may include feelings or agitation and euphoria. A severe or long-term depressive episode can substantially erode self-esteem and may result in thoughts of death and suicide.
Symptoms of Depression
- A significantly depressed mood or general absence of mood.
- Inability to experience pleasure or feel interest in daily life.
- Inexplicable crying spells, sadness, and/or irritability.
- Insomnia or hypersomnia, nearly everyday.
- A substantial change in appetite, eating patterns or weight.
- Fatigue or energy loss.
- Diminished ability to concentrate.
- Difficulty making decisions.
- Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness.
- Inappropriate feelings of guilty or self-criticism.
- A lack of sexual desire.
- Suicidal thoughts, feeling or behaviors.
How to Help Yourself
The first step toward helping yourself is to identify the emotional, psychological and behavioral difficulties you have been experiencing which may be related to depression. You should also assess how depression may have impacted other areas of your life, including relationships with family and friends, finances, academic responsibilities, etc. Discussing these problems with people involved or with an understanding friend may resolve some of the issues before feelings of depression become more serious. You may also want to consider the following:
- Reduce or eliminate the use of drugs or alcohol.
- Exercise or engage in some form of physical activity, such as walking, every day.
- Eat a proper, well-balanced diet.
- Obtain an adequate amount of sleep.
- Seek emotional support from friends and family.
- Focus on positive aspects of your life.
- Pace yourself, modify your schedule and set realistic goals.
- Eliminate or reduce unnecessary tasks so that your schedule is more manageable.
- Consult with a physician if you are experiencing any medical problems.
- Seek early intervention which may modify the severity of your depression.
For more information, visit the University Counseling Center's self help page.
