Fine Line in Depression

How can we as people level measures of sadness? At what point does sadness and feelings of this nature enter into a state of depression and is there a certain point that constitutes depression? These are all questions that psychiatrists and psychologists have been asking for years. In an article from Discover magazine, the work of Jerome Wakefield and Mark Schmitz, is looked to for answers to the above questions. Wakefield and Schmitz conducted a survey in the 1980s in which they questioned approximately 20,000 adults twice a year on their current state in terms of emotion, mood, and mental health. This survey concluded that those who reported a history of depression the first time around were more likely to be depressed by the time they were surveyed again. This led to Wakefield and Schmitz  diagnosing those who were depressed as either having complicated depression or uncomplicated depression. Those who had complicated depression had certain symptoms such as depression, lasting longer than 2 months, suicidal thoughts, and feelings of worthlessness. People showing these symptoms were more likely to be diagnosed as clinically depressed whereas those who were categorized with uncomplicated depression were just thought to be experiencing normal feelings of sadness. But this article begs the question, is there a line at which you can say that someone is depressed and not just experiencing normal sadness, and are the symptoms mentioned above evidence enough of clinical depression?

These are definitely questions worth asking in the world today. With depression affecting more people than it ever has, any answers could shed some light on further treatments. It is a terrible thing for someone to go through life feeling depressed, and in many ways this has been linked to actual chemical changes in the brain. I feel that further research into possible drug treatments is important, but I also feel that clinical psychiatric help could also be the best. Treating depression would benefit not only the person but society as a whole. Morale in the workplace would be boosted, student happiness rates would go up, and because of this I believe the world would be a better place.




Today's article was chosen because I believe depression is growing problem in our nation. Much of it is caused by the pressures of society to be the best worker or the best student making the most money etc... But the more we know about depression and other psychological conditions the more we can do to prevent/ treat them. It is my hope that one day depression levels be at an all time low and the only way to get here is to have a better understanding of what is going on inside the brain and in the outside environment.

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/neuroskeptic/?p=3693