Depression

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Affective disorders are predominantly disturbances of mood that are
severe in nature and persistent despite the influence of external events.
Depression is characterized by severe and persistent low mood, which is often
unresponsive to the efforts of friends and family to cheer the sufferer up.
Patients who suffer with repeated episodes of depression have a Recurrent
Depressive Disorder. Depressive episodes can be classified into mild, moderate,
and severe types, with or without psychotic symptoms. To be classified as
depression, an episode must last more than two weeks. A condition where the
mood is persistently low, but does not quite fulfill all the criteria for a
depressive episode, is sometimes called "dysthymia."

Community studies have found that depression is prevalent between 5 and 20% of
all people. About 10% of people over age 65 will have a major depressive
episode. The incidence of depression is higher in women and in urban settings
rather than rural ...

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of everyday life which differ from a normal sense of sadness. Crying
is a frequent symptom, although some individuals are reluctant to admit this,
and others feel so depressed it that is as if they have 'gone beyond crying'.
Suicidal ideas occur in most depressed people, and asking about these is a
crucial aspect of their assessment. Depressed patients often find it a relief to
talk about these ideas with their doctor. Asking about suicidal ideas is a
sequential process, beginning with questions about the severity of the low mood.
The doctor can then ask if the patient has ever felt that life is not worth
living. A 'yes' could be followed by inquiring whether the patient has ...

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