A definition of depression can go a long way to helping you find a starting point to attack depression. You can't attack what you can't define.
There are several ways to define depression. Usually depression is a mental state whose main characteristics are:
Depressed people are typically gloomy and have an overwhelming sense of feeling inadequate. A depressive disorder is a state of despondency and pleasure avoidance so bad that it requires intervention.
Depression is a mental condition or state that affects body, mind, and emotions. It can disturb the way you sleep, the way you eat, and the way you take care of yourself. It can drastically alter the way you think about things.
Depression is more than a passing blue mood, it can not be wished away nor is it a sign of personal weakness. Without treatment depression can last for weeks, months and even years.
There are some key signs and symptoms to look for that are included in a definition of depression.
Major Depression
Also known as unipolar depression or unipolar disorder. Diagnosis is based on a persons self reported feelings or behaviour reported by friends, relatives, and close associates. There is no lab test to diagnose a major depression. Lab tests may rule out other conditions that have similar symptoms
Dysthymia
Dysthymia is a chronic condition that occurs during the day for most days and lasts for 2 years or more. Children may present as irritable rather than depressed and the required time frame is 1 year rather than 2. Symptom free intervals will not last any longer than 2 months. Dysthymia may become a major depression.
Little is know about Dysthymia but it responds to the same treatments and drugs as a major depression. Typically MAOI's, SSRI's, and Tricyclic antidepressants are prescribed.
Bipolar (manic) Depression
Bipolar depression is a mood disorder that fluctuates between abnormally elevated moods (euphoria) described as 'mania', and a depressed state. These extremes are usually separated by a period of 'normal' feelings. But some people will fluctuate rapidly between mania and depression. Sometimes Bipolar Depression can become psychotic depression.
Clinical Depression
Clinical Depression is a depressed mood that may last for a short period or a longer period but rarely becomes permanent. It can end without any intervention at all but will end quicker with treatment.
Psychotic Depression
Psychotic Depression has all the symptoms of a major depression with the added features of hallucinations or delusions. This means that people with psychotic depression will be seeing or hearing things that are not there and having irrational fears. Some psychotically depressed people become so irrationally afraid that they think their own thoughts are coming from another source or that others can hear their thoughts.
Armed with a good definition of depression you can decide how to approach treating depression. Depression can be treated and responds well to various modalities of treatment.
Modern science and research has discovered some very unique characteristics of depression and what is going on inside the brain of a depressed person. Most importantly research has shown that a depressed mind responds very positively to brainwave entrainment.
Brainwave entrainment is a very effective and powerful tool in the battle against depression.