Characterized by periods of low mood that often include, but are not neccesarily limited to : decreased sleep,suicidal thoughts, guilt, energy decrease, concentration difficulties, decreased appetite, low mood, irritability
a major depressive "episode" is characterized by having at least 4-5 of these symptoms for 2 weeks
treatment involves therapy (group or individual), medications, alternative treatments (omega 3) which your psychiatrist can discuss with you
In the past medications were often difficult to tolerate becasue of side effects and lethality when overdosed ("TriCyclic antidepressants"). Now the favored class of medications are much safer and easier to tolerate (the "SSRI's" such as Prozac,Paxil)
Psychotherapy combined with medications has the best outcome than either alone (this has been proven by numerous research trials)
Depression accounts for more lost workforce productivity than colds,flus,orthopedic injuries