What is MDD?
Everyone may experience sadness at some point in their lives. There are days that we feel down or low. Different situations might cause these feelings, such as experiencing life challenges, breaking up, or losing a loved one. But these feelings are considered problematic when they are persistent for extended periods.
When depression stays persistent for an extended period and affects a person’s daily life, then they may have a mood disorder called a major depressive disorder or MDD.
MDD or clinical depression is a widespread disorder, and it usually starts in the mid-twenties, but a person can experience it at any point in life. Clinical depression is marked by a depressed mood and loss of interest most of the day for two weeks.
Symptoms of MDD
Signs of depression include:
- Experiencing changes in previous functions.
- Losing interest in favourite activities or pleasure.
- Lack of energy.
- Feeling guilty or worthless.
- Difficulty in concentrating.
- Restlessness or feeling slowed down.
- Insomnia or hypersomnia (sleep changes)
- Increase or decrease in appetite.
- Sudden weight loss or gain.
- Harmful or suicidal thoughts.
- Thoughts about death.
- You should consider any of these conditions a sign only if you have been experiencing them for at least two weeks.
Causes and risk factors
Researchers have not found the exact cause of MDD. However, a combination of factors can increase the risk of developing depression, such as genetic, environmental, biological, stress, and psychological factors.
Some certain risk factors for MDD include:
- History of depression, other mental illnesses, or family’s previous experience with mental health conditions, suicide, or alcoholism.
- Alcohol or drug use.
- Serious health conditions.
- Abuse during childhood.
- Significant life changes.
- Anxiety or stress.
- Certain medications.
Treatments and getting help
There are plenty of options for treating MDD, but mainly it can be dealt with medications and psychotherapy; also, lifestyle changes can help you ease certain symptoms. The earlier treatment for depression begins, the more effective it is.
Some patients with suicidal thoughts or severe MDD might need to stay in a hospital during their treatment until they are no longer a threat to themselves.
Research indicates a combination of medication and psychotherapy is more effective than either method alone.
The first treatment option for MDD is taking antidepressant medication.
Secondly, psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can effectively help people with MDD to develop a better condition.
With the help of Psychotherapy, you can cope with life challenges and solve your issues, also, your self-esteem will improve, and you get control of your life back again.
Different types of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapy can be recommended.
Some lifestyle changes can help you cope with MDD more effectively, such as Dietary changes, avoiding alcohol, exercising, and changing your sleeping habits.
Don’t forget getting help from a professional health care provider is necessary when it comes to mood disorders and if it remains untreated it can affect the quality of a person’s life or even put them in dangerous situations.