What Is Major Depressive Disorder? | Mood Disorders

Major Depressive Disorder, also known as Clinical Depression, is one of the main illnesses that psychiatrists deal with. And it's not simply a matter of being, just having depressed mood, or being bummed out when something bad happens. It's a specific constellation of symptoms. Now one of those symptoms that you have to have is, having depressed mood, but that's severely depressed mood for most of the day, every day. And the other possibility is something called Anhedonia, or the inability to experience pleasure, in activities that normally gave one pleasure. One common example is parents who suddenly don't enjoy spending time with their children, but it can be any activity that people used to enjoy, and no longer derive any pleasure from. Other symptoms are, an appetite disturbance. Most characteristically, this is a loss of appetite, but for some individuals, they eat excessively. Another one is a sleep disturbance. Most characteristically, this is early morning wakening. So patients will wake up early in the morning, and not be able to fall back to sleep, but still don't want to get out of bed. Other signs are: A difficulty concentrating, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, decreased energy. And then, the final one is psychomotor retardation or agitation. In other words, an increase or decrease of activity that's observable by other people. The reason that it's so important to identify symptoms of depression is because we have treatments that work very well. The best treatment is a combination of medications and psychotherapy. It's very important to get an evaluation, to make the diagnosis early, because a lot of the worst consequences of depressive symptoms can be prevented, with early diagnosis and treatment. And most significantly, that can be suicidal thinking, and suicidal acts. So it's very important for individuals suffering any of these signs or symptoms to get an evaluation with a psychiatrist, so that they can start treatment early, to prevent the worst consequences of these symptoms.

[TheWemr]

42, incase anyone was wondering roughly how many times he put his hands together and appart in the 2 minutes and 10 second.

[Theonlylaurenc]

I'm stuck with clinical depression. Medicine keeps me happy. That's it.

[nyce]

I have been diagnosed with depression since I was 14. Coincidentally I was molested by a cop at that age but I digress. I'm about to be 30 and I still suffer from depression I just started taking pills so I'm still depressed. No one really understands the struggle everyone gives shallow advice and even ignorant criticism. My advice to anyone who thinks they have this disorder would be to go see a doctor and be honest about what you're going through. Sure talk to friends and family too but unless they're trained professionals they're most likely not equipped to really help.

[ambertrevino]

i have had major depression since i was ten. i was bullied, raped, touched, beaten up, runned over, gotten my hair cut off, etc.. 9 years later i still have major depression. and its bad. i have other disorders also but my main one is major depression. its not a joke at all.

[ClutchNervous]

Im 25 years old and sometimes i don't want to get out of bed or even tell myself that i wish i never existed i used to love going longboarding and hanging out with friends from high school now all i want to do is be alone even when im around my family.

[Waafa]

clinical depression is hell. Maybe in the next life ill get a fair shake.

[piyushsoniccc]

great videos these help me with USMLE STEP 1 studies

[maxgledhill]

I have no idea what he was saying because I couldn't stop looking at his hands the whole time

[linguaphilly]

Yay I have every one of these symptoms except for the early awakenings
I'm still afraid to use antidepressants though

[SocceRLovers]

I have a thai gf we met her friend in thailand this year. Her bf was a nice guy and I really enjoyed meeting him. Me and my gf were so happy for them, they were starting life buying car, house, etc. Today my gf texted me that he suicided in china. (guy was chinese) caz of this disorder and this is what got me to watch this.
I am not happy about this. not fair.

[OvercomeLoneliness]

Another very helpful video, Howcast. :)

[emileeyounglao]

i had depression i wouldnt say major... theres some ppl who cant even get outta bed.. but point blank depression was the worst time of my life, i could just cry all day n smoke cigs and eat arbys. one thing i can tell u that if meds dont work... try diet and excercise and being out in public like goin to college or just getting outside. the results on the brain r very effective

[carolinem.]

That's horrible, thank God I love in Sweden, where we have a great "social safety net" and treatment is always cheap (free for me since I'm under 21) and once you reach a certain amount of money you've spent on medication for one year, you will get the rest for free (well you pay for it with taxes, but hey, still cheaper). When people call America the greatest country in the world, I wonder just how much they know about other countries...

[WrapNPrint]

Yeah but your fake happy, I fight with the thought of going and getting medicated everyday but cant being myself to do it because I believe its a fake form of happiness that can be achieved if I just had a break or something worked out for my in life for once! Glad your happy tho even tho its fake!

[emileeyounglao]

a big thing i noticed wen healing from depression is days go by fast. wen ur depression everything is in slow motion but wen ur healing it goes by fast. school, food, exercise, sleep. keep urseld busy n healthy . netflix n fast food is not bein busy

[VanessaKlinger]

If you have access to a computer you can change how you feel. Use the videos on here guided meditations to change how you feel by getting to your subconscious(inner dialogue) great luck to you! Remember its not that serious. Just be you and know that you are loved! how do i know this? Becasue you are here my friend!

[maggiebradshaw]

I've got to make an appointment for the GP...

[rachelheflin]

Wow I was diagnosed with this and there's only two symptoms I have and and the rest of them I don't have. I told the psychiatrist that I have ADHD and she basically ignored it so basically she saying I don't have pleasure in my dance class which I do and I go to it regularly right now we're on winter break but yet I mean diagnosed with major depressive disorder which I don't have. She's also tried to put me on antipsychotic medication I don't think this psychiatrist is right at all

[Dumakingthembeats]

Every since I doing music I not depressed no more....

[hourshiftworker]

How do you determine this mood disorder from bipolar ? The symptoms are the same except the mania ? How is one to know whether during a young age that they had bipolar when it is hard to recall things that happened in your younger years?