The National Institute of Mental Health indicates that determining whether a child is experiencing a normal phase in development or exhibiting signs of depressions is a difficult task. Compounding this problem, point out Drs. Rita Wicks-Nelson and...
Major depression, one of the common depression subtypes, affects 6.7 percent of the US adult population, or 14.8 million people, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). This condition is characterized by persistent sadness and...
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th ed., Text Revision, or DSM-IV, contains several categories of depression disorders and their diagnostic criteria, intended as guidelines for clinicians. According to "Synopsis of Psychiatry", the most...
According to Psychology Information Online, dysthymic disorder, also known as minor depression, is characterized by the same symptoms as chronic depression. The symptoms are not as severe as those of major depression, however those suffering from...
The mental health community's recognition that children may have bipolar disorder is a recent development. Since the mid-1990's extensive research was completed confirming that children may suffer from this disorder. According to the National...
Depression is a mood disorder that can range in severity from mild to debilitating. It can be classified as both a change in mood and as a medical diagnosis requiring intervention. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMN) states that...
The term "mental illness" might strike fear in even the most pragmatic of folks. Unfortunately, the tendency to avoid issues of mental illness can leave many people unaware of common symptoms. Diagnoses of mental illness are based on the criteria...
Psychiatrist Elizabeth Kubler-Ross identified the five stages of grief and loss in her 1969 book, "On Death and Dying". Whether the loss is death, or loss of a friend or family member through estrangement, loss of a job or loss of a dream, most...
According to the National Institute of Mental Health depression "is a common but serious illness." The Mayo Clinic website MayoClinic.com indicates that clinical depression or a major depressive episode or MDE consists of more than an occasional...
Approximately one in five bereaved people will develop clinical depression. However, it is normal to go through an emotionally and physically difficult grieving period in response to the loss of a loved one. It can be difficult to differentiate...
According to the American Psychiatric Association, up to 25 percent of the population will suffer from a depressive disorder during their lifespan. Although people of all ages can become depressed, some of the symptoms differ in children versus...
Many mental health professionals see depression as a chronic condition that necessitates long-term treatment, the Mayo Clinic reports. While some people may experience only one major episode of depression, often repeated episodes occur throughout...
Signs of depression generally include feelings of sadness, loss of interest and a number of other emotional and physical problems that represent a significant change from a person's normal level of functioning. While paranoia may occur in people...
According to Dr. Jay Hoecker, writing for MayoClinic.com, in years past many doctors did not believe that children could develop problems with depression. Today, there is wide recognition that children suffer from problems with depression. Kenneth...
Depression affects relationships, accomplishments and quality of life. It can also be debilitating and even life-threatening. If you are experiencing a depressed mood or lack of interest in routine activities, along with excessive guilt or...
Bipolar disorder, previously called manic depression, is characterized by alternating periods of elation and depression. Bipolar depression is not a diagnosis in itself, but instead it refers to the periodic depressive episodes that individuals...
Intolerance to wheat can suppress the immune system and lead to a biological disposition for depression. Most individuals with food intolerances do not even know they have them. In addition to depressed moods, the Chronic Fatigue and Immune...
Children today face many unique challenges. Bullying, academic pressure, social stress and other common problems can be made worse by underlying conditions like anxiety and depression. Emotionally troubled children are at an increased risk for...
Being involved in an abusive relationship can not only cause a person to feel worthless, it can also lead to physical trauma and even death. And, sadly, relationship abuse isn't uncommon. According to a 2000 National Institute of Justice survey,...
A psychological disorder called major depressive disorder with psychotic features characterizes people who experience both symptoms of depression and psychosis, including delusions and hallucinations. A study published in the November 2002 issue...
Depression in teenagers is a disorder that is characterized by the loss of a sense of self-worth, persistent sadness, discouragement and a loss of interest in normal activities. Depression can be a temporary response to stresses and situations in...
Anxious depression is a condition where anxiety and depression symptoms co-exist. As a result, many cases of anxious depression can be severe, according to a 1998 article in the "Journal of Clinical Psychiatry." Treatment is also a problem, as it...
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, depression affects 15 million Americans a year. Depression affects persons of all ages, race or socioeconomic status. It is not just feeling sad. There are several indicators of depression....
Depression is a mental illness that affects many elderly persons, according to the National Institutes of Health. Due to changes in their lives, lack of interaction and medical reasons, many elderly patients develop depression. Besides feeling...
Seasonal affective disorder, commonly known as SAD, is a condition that occurs annually, at the same time of year during a particular season. For most people, SAD occurs in late fall and continues through early winter. SAD is actually not a...
Depression is a mental disorder that impacts almost every area of life. Individuals who suffer from depression may feel the impact on biological, psychological and social levels. "The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders"...
The most current statistics produced by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS in 2009 reported that an estimated 35 million individuals currently live with HIV globally. Of the 35 million, 1.4 million live in the North America. This...
According to Medline Plus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, depression consists of more than just a transitory blue mood. Associated symptoms of depression may persist and significantly interfere in an individual’s ability...
Healthy relationships are relationships that involve mutual trust, consideration and respect, according to KidsHealth. Not all relationships possess all these qualities. In fact, many relationships are downright dangerous. Teens and young adults...