- Number. The symptoms of depression are "additive" - that is, the greater the number of symptoms you have, the more likely you are to be clinically depressed. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV), five or more of these symptoms should be present for a person or someone close to that person to consider him or herself "clinically depressed."
- Duration. The longer you have been down in the dumps, the more likely it is that you are clinically depressed. According to the DSM IV, the five or more symptoms must exist for at least two weeks for a diagnosis of major depression to be made. (In the case of dysthymia or chronic low-grade depression, symptoms must be present for two years or more.)
- Intensity. Many of us can feel emotional pain and still cope with our daily existence. Some experiences of depression are within the normal course of living. The pain of major depression can be so great, however, that its intensity (along with the number and duration of symptoms) can significantly impair one's ability to cope.
Can one heal from depression?
Though depression is a serious illness, it is highly treatable, as it normally responds to a combination of antidepressants, psychotherapy, and a variety of holistic treatments. Unfortunately, the majority of people with depression do not seek treatment because the symptoms are unrecognized, misdiagnosed, or so disabling that the person cannot reach out for help. In many instances, the individual is deterred from seeking help by the stigma surrounding mental illness. The promise of highly effective treatment for sufferers makes it essential for family members or friends to strongly encourage the depressed individual to seek appropriate treatment.(published with permission in writing from:http://www.healingfromdepression.com)
