Unlike other forms of depression, endogenous depression often develops without any obvious reason.  With no history of traumatic events or unfortunate life occurrences, the patient is suddenly overcome with lethargy or melancholy.  The feelings of depression seem to come out of the blue. The word endogenous means “to come from within”.   When used in the […]

Reactive Depression – also known as adjustment disorder – is characterized by a depression that occurs after a psychological stressor brought on by a significant life event such as the death of a loved one.   Often, the symptoms of reactive depression overlap with the symptoms from other forms of depression which makes an exact diagnosis […]

A person is considered to be suffering from agitated depression if they are restless, irritable and exhibit the normal signs of depression.  Unlike other depressive disorders, the state of agitation is exceptionally severe and can be debilitating.  Overall, it is more likely to occur in elderly or middle aged patients with fewer cases occurring in […]

Atypical Depression often carries many of the same symptoms as major depression.  The main difference is that this type of depression does not require the same number of diagnostic criteria for a diagnosis. Patients with this Atypical Depression often report an increased appetite, a change in sleep patterns or an increased sensitivity to the feelings […]

Bipolar disorder – or manic depression, as it was once called – is a mood disorder that is characterized by extreme mood swings in which the patient may experience ecstasy one moment and despair the next.  While those who suffer from this mental illness can experience periods of normalcy, those in the midst of a […]

Depression is often bandied about casually to explain a person’s moodiness and odd behavior changes. The term itself has become a catch-all label and excuse for a host of conditions associated with despondency. The casual usage of the term depression belies the seriousness of this health disorder. In the United States alone, close to 10 […]

Clinical depression is a major depressive disorder.  A diagnosis of clinical depression is made if one has a persistent, severe form of depression.  It is significantly different from regular depression.  The major difference between a person who is diagnosed as being depressed and a person who is diagnosed as clinically depressed has to do with […]

Major Depressive Disorder – also referred to as unipolar depression – affects nearly 15 million adults in America each year. This debilitating disorder can make it difficult to go to work and carry out normal social functions. Also known as clinical depression, major depressive disorder is characterized by a persistent gloomy outlook and can be […]