With celebrities like Michelle Williams, Kristen Bell, and Demi Lovato speaking out about their personal battles with depression, the topic is becoming more openly discussed than ever before. However, despite more awareness, there is still a stigma attached to mental illnesses, and people often do not know how to differentiate between temporary sadness and clinical depression.
It is important to understand that depression is much more than just feeling sad for an extended period. According to Dr. Daniel G. Amen, a psychiatrist and author, depression is a complex illness that originates from biological issues in the brain, and manifests with a range of symptoms.
In order to be diagnosed with clinical depression, an individual must meet specific criteria after experiencing a prolonged period of sadness exceeding two weeks, for most of the day, or every day. These criteria include changes in appetite, sleep patterns, fatigue, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, apathy, and in some cases, suicidal thoughts.
In contrast, temporary episodes of depression have identifiable triggers, fewer symptoms, and the individual affected may still find pleasure in activities they enjoyed in the past. Major episodes of clinical depression can occur without an identifiable trigger, and it can be challenging to find pleasure in any activity.
Clinical depression can be treated effectively with medications and psychotherapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical-behavioral therapy, motivational enhancement therapy, and attachment-based family therapy. Seeking therapy can also be helpful for individuals experiencing temporary depression, enabling them to better manage their emotions and prevent an episode from developing into clinical depression.
It is important to seek help for depression, as it can affect more than 7.5 percent of Americans aged 12 and over according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With a comprehensive treatment plan, depression can be managed effectively.
Written by Susan Navarez