See main article: Major depressive disorder

In the field of psychiatry the terms depression or depressed are used in both the ordinary, non-clinical sense and to refer specifically to pathology, especially when the mood of depression has reached a level of severity and/or duration that warrants a clinical diagnosis. Major depressive disorder, also known as major depression, unipolar depression, unipolar disorder, clinical depression, or simply depression Psychiatry is a medical specialty which exists to study, prevent, and treat Mental disorders in Humans Psychiatric Pathology (from Greek grc πάθος pathos, "fate harm" and grc -λογία -logia) is the study and Diagnosis is the identification by Process of elimination, of the nature of anything The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) states that a depressed mood is often reported as being: ". The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders' ( DSM) is published by the American Psychiatric Association . . depressed, sad, hopeless, discouraged, or 'down in the dumps'. " In traditional colloquy, "depressed" is often synonymous with "sad," but both clinical and non-clinical depression can also refer to a conglomeration of more than one feeling. Sadness is an Emotion characterized by Feelings of disadvantage loss and helplessness Such a mixture can include (but is not limited to) anger, fear, anxiety, despair, guilt, apathy, and/or grief, in addition to what many people would describe as typical "sadness. "

Contents 1 Biology 2 Depression as mechanism of adaptation 3 Psychological disorders with depression 4 See also 5 References 6 External links

Biology

Main article: Neurobiology

Biological influences of depression are varied, but can include hereditary, hormonal, and seasonal factors, stress, illness, neurotransmitter malfunction, and long-term exposure to dampness and mold^[1] and to aerosol exposure via the frequent use of air fresheners and other aerosols in the home,^[2], all of which are more fully discussed in the major depressive disorder article. Neurobiology is the study of cells of the Nervous system and the organization of these cells into functional circuits that process information and mediate behavior Hormones (from Greek ὁρμή - "impetus" are chemicals released by cells that affect cells in other parts of the body Illness (sometimes referred to as ill-health or ail) can be defined as a state of poor Health. See Chemical synapse for an introduction to concepts and terminology used in this article Major depressive disorder, also known as major depression, unipolar depression, unipolar disorder, clinical depression, or simply depression

Depression as mechanism of adaptation

While a depressed mood is usually referred to (and perceived) as negative, it can sometimes be subtly beneficial in helping a person adapt to circumstance. For example, physical illness, such as influenza, can lead to feelings of psychological malaise and depression that seem, at first, only to compound an already unpleasant situation. However, the experience of depression, or feeling "down," often results in physical inertia, which leads to the compulsion to rest. The fleeting helplessness and immobility of the physically ill may also serve to elicit care from others.

From an evolutionary standpoint, some argue that depression could be at least partially related to atavistic fears that were originally based on real dangers. Marcello Spinella, Ph. D. , in his book, How Sadness Survived: The Evolutionary Basis of Depression, suggests that, because "social support and interdependence were important features of the [human] ancestral environment"[,] "the [peer] group could have offered extra help to the depressed person until the condition resolved. " Further, ". . . a depressed person may change the attitudes of other people around him, making them more sympathetic to his needs and therefore giving him a long term [social or reproductive] advantage. "^[3]

Temporary depression, psychologist Thomas Moore, Ph. Thomas Moore is the author of popular spiritual books including the New York Times best seller Care of the Soul (1992 D. , suggests, can, in some cases, not only ". . . provide a rest from the hyperactivity of the good times. . . ," but can also be assigned value in the overall spectrum of human experience, and might enrich the ways in which members of a community relate to, and support, one another. In some cases, Moore says, "dark times [can] leave their mark and make you a person of insight and compassion. " ^[4]

Psychological disorders with depression

Episodes of depressed mood are a core feature of the following psychological disorders, as specified by the DSM-IV:

• Major depressive disorder
• Dysthymia
• Bipolar disorder
• Seasonal affective disorder
• Adjustment disorder with depressed mood

See also

• Depression and natural therapies

References

External links

• About the Brain – Includes definitions relating to depression
• beyondblue – The Australian National Depression Initiative
• Black Dog Institute – Depression and Bipolar Disorder Information Australia
• Depression at the Open Directory Project
• Depression at WebMD - Drug and treatment information for depression. The Open Directory Project ( ODP) also known as dmoz (from directory
• Depression Research News at ScienceDaily
• Mental Health Disorders: Mood: Depression at Mozilla Open Directory (categorized links)
• National Alliance on Mental Illness – Depression support, advocacy, and education
• National Depressive and Manic Depressive Association - National Depressive and Manic Depressive Association
• Stanford Depression Research Clinic
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) – United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
• Care of the Soul - Website of writer/clinical practitioner, Thomas Moore, Ph. Dan Hogan Editoreditor@sciencedailycom Michele Hogan Sales Managersales@sciencedaily Mozilla was the official public original name of Mozilla Application Suite by the Mozilla Foundation, currently known as SeaMonkey suite. The United States Department of Health and Human Services ( HHS) is a Cabinet department of the United States government with the goal of protecting D.

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