Depression. This term is often used in our society in reference to someone who is unhappy or sad. As an example, you might hear someone say, “I’m depressed” when their favorite Football team loses a game. Conversely, clinical depression is a diagnosable disorder that can have a great impact on one’s life. Depressive disorders cause someone to feel sad, empty, or just plain miserable. Depression can have an affect on sleep, thinking, or normal everyday functions. The difference in these disorders is in how long the symptoms last, their causes, and when they emerge.

There are numerous different types of depressive disorders that may arise. Depressive disorders can be brought about by medications, alcohol and/or drug use, and medical conditions like thyroid disease.

Depression is not the same as normal sadness or grief. Death of a loved one, job loss, or a breakup, although painful, do not trigger depression in most people. Depression can cause a person to feel hopeless, sadness, or grief for weeks, months, or even years. One may feel hopeless, but there is hope, depression can be treated. Statistics show that 80-90% suffering from depression will show relief from symptoms when treated properly. Treatment can range from medication, psychotherapy “talk therapy”, or both. Most people can find both treatments combined work better than one treatment alone. Some people may need to try several different medications before finding the best one for them.

Some of the different types of depressive disorders are.

• Major Depressive Disorder
• Persistent Depressive Disorder
• Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
• Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder