Depression: What Is It?

This video gets into defining depression. First, I give you the symptoms typically associated with Major Depressive Disorder, which is what most people are referring to when they use the word 'depression.' According to the DSM-V (the psychological dictionary more or less), this includes persistent sad mood, anhedonia (disinterest in activities you normally enjoy), and suicidal thoughts/actions. Diagnosis excludes symptoms caused by substances, medicinal conditions, or significant losses (such as death, financial ruin, etc.) There are several types of depression. Some people are diagnosed with Persistent Depressive Disorder (or dysthymia), which is a depressed mood lasting for at least two years. Then, you have psychotic depression, which is depression with psychotic symptoms (including delusions or hallucinations). Next, is seasonal affective disorder, or depression symptoms occurring during the winter months. After that, there is perinatal depression, which is depression experienced during pregnancy. Finally, you have Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, or depression that repeated happens the week before menses. Diagnosis should not be taken lightly. Knowing the information I've given you does not mean you have the ability to diagnose depression; you need to know the DSM-V better as well as whoever is being diagnosed really well (and if you're trying to diagnose yourself, you need an objective viewpoint, so it's good to get an outside perspective- namely, a professional one). This is just the basics so you can better grasp at what we are getting at when depression is mentioned.