Diagnostic criteria and risk factors in major depression

Depression

What symptoms/signs must be present to obtain a diagnosis of depression?

Depression is an illness that must be recognized immediately, but often been misunderstood and taken as a benign condition. Signs and symptoms of major depression are not easily diagnosed since these are also present in individuals with good coping mechanism. The key in identifying these signs and symptoms depends on how long they have been present in a person. At least three abnormal moods must be present for at least two weeks' duration and these include abnormal depressed mood most of the day, abnormal loss of all interest and pleasure most of the day and if 18 or younger, abnormal irritable mood most of the day, all of them occurring nearly every day. They must be accompanied by at least five of the following symptoms in that two-week-duration which include abnormal depressed mood or irritable mood, abnormal loss of all interest and pleasure, appetite or weight disturbance (abnormal weight loss, when not dieting or decrease in appetite, abnormal weight gain or increase in appetite), sleep disturbance, either abnormal insomnia or abnormal hypersomnia, activity disturbance, either abnormal agitation or abnormal slowing (observable by others), abnormal fatigue or loss of energy, abnormal self-reproach or inappropriate guilt, abnormal poor concentration or indecisiveness, abnormal morbid thoughts of death (not just fear of dying) or suicide.

What is the most common age group affected by major depression? What are some reasons that you think this age group is most affected?

The most common age-group affected by major depression is those individuals 25-44 years of age. The most common reason that is linked with major depression is stress which plays a major role in triggering the first 1 to 2 episodes but not in succeeding episodes. Individuals in this age-group belong in the labor-force, and often, members of their families depend on them. They are also the prime movers in a community. People at this age are often besieged by problems economically and financially that can affect them holistically. Various intervening and overlapping factors are responsible for their susceptibility to depression. As much a stress-related problems can be zeroed in to blame for prevalence of this illness, nurture and nature play a role in a person's coping abilities. Genetics also contribute to the probability of a person to experience major depression. It does not, however, run in the family, but increases the likelihood of a person to experience major depression if one of his family members have this illness.

What statistics of incidence did you find for depression?

In the U.S. alone, there are approximately 18 million suffering from major depression. This is more common in women, but ethnicity, races and economic level are not determinants of major depression. Women are more prone to experience depression because of hormonal changes in their bodies and physical changes. If this condition is prolonged, and occurs more than two weeks, this is the time when one has to think of the possibility of major depression.