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Unipolar Depression
Unipolar depression is another name for clinical depression,
major depression and severe depression. About 5 percent or 10 million Americans
suffer from some form of unipolar depression annually. Because unipolar
depression is such a severe form of depression it has been shown to be the
leading cause of disability in the U.S.
To be diagnosed with unipolar depression a person must have a depressed mood or
loss of interest in daily activities for a consistent 2 week period. The mood
change must be different from a person’s normal mood and must interfere with
those persons normal daily activities such as work, social events and
relationships with friends and family.
It is also important to understand that these depressive episodes cannot be
caused by drugs, alcohol, or medications and existing medical conditions. In
these cases fixing the physical problem will usually make the depression go
away. If the depression already exists these things can and will exacerbate the
issue.
Unipolar depression is characterized by at least one, but usually a combination
of, major depressive episodes that include:
• A depressed mood that lasts most of the day everyday.
• Loss of interest in almost all activities.
• Markedly noticeable increase or decrease in appetite and weight loss or gain.
• Insomnia or Hypersomnia
• Chronic fatigue and loss of energy
• Feeling guilty or worthless
• Inability to concentrate or make decisions
• Continual thoughts of suicide or a suicide attempt.
Unipolar depression can be treated with a combination of psychotherapy and
anti-depressant medications.
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