Depression vs. Major Depression?

Question

What's the difference between depression and major depression? Are they seperate illnesses, or is major depression actually just a "worse" case of depression? I'm wondering because I was diagnosed with depression about 4 yrs ago when I was 13, and everyone seems to think that I'm only slightly depressed while I'm actually very depressed and bordering suicidal. So, I've begun to think maybe I was misdiagnosed and I really have major depression, if they are seperate illnesses. So, what is the difference between the two? Different sypmtoms, different causes, what? Thanks, any help will be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

well everyone gets depressed sometime and it last a few days and you get better,or something can happen that will cause you to be depressed,all this is considered normal depression.....In your case its much different.You have a long time standing depression,so yes there is a difference...I am almost positive that you have (clinical depression) which is much different fom the plain old depression that all people get now and then.the diifference between the two depressions is that clinical depression is considered a disease,and is very serious.It is a long standing depression that won,t go away and you really can,t tell what is causing it.You are sad,don,t feel like doing much,life seems so hopeless,you lose interest in doing things that you normally would enjoy,its just a constant state of sadness that you cannot shake....You said you are bordering on suicidal which indicates thats you are very depressed with a abnormal depression....You could also have a chemical imbalance also.I have a chemical imbalance and I have to be on Paxil 50mg per day,but I am not clinically depressed,i suffer from the lack of seritoin which is supplied in the brain...You could have that but I really believe you have clinical depression....If you do, then it will not go away without treatment,what you started out with at age 13 could have been the onset of it and the doctor did not see it as a disease because you were so young,but you have gotten much worse ,so yours is not going away...There is a medication for clinical depression and you really need to seek help from a qualified doctor..You cannot be happy carrying around this heavy burden od depression on your shoulders,there is a chance you could give into that desire of suicide,and we don,t want that...Please seek the help you need and don,t put it off,it could make you feel whole again just by taking treatment.Good luck to you and don,t give up because there is help for you out there.....

Answer 2

The definition is a matter of severity.

Mild depression - you feel down, maybe sad a lot, lack energy. But you can generally function. Possibly rare thoughts of suicide.

Depression - the above are more common. Sometimes you cannot function. Possibly thoughts of suicide.

Major Depression - all the above are even more common. You have great difficulty functioning. You consider or have tried suicide.

Note that this is a very subjective thing. If you're having thoughts of suicide you should contact your doctor immediately for a psychiatric exam. It is possible that your depression has increased. This is particularly true in your teens.

I was not properly diagnosed until I was 18 after years of problems. Odds are a simple medication change will help you out immensely.

Best wishes.

-dh

Answer 3

You feel like an experiment because that's basically what this is. Doctors can't promise you will be wonderfully helped by such and such medication. All they can do is try different ones on you, hoping that something will work. I love what Zoloft does for me; no more fears/anxiety/depression, etc. Could you possibly need a higher dosage? 1. The teen years are the absolutely worst time of your life. I'm surprised any of us survive it. You are suffering so many issues (no wonder) and from the effects of accumulated stress. Your body and mind are trying to cope but ... it's hard. You probably have a chemical imbalance in your brain which is very common. I hope you can find a therapist who will test you prescribe appropriate medications to help you get better. With the right meds, you will be much better and feel normal. I also take 100mg Trazodone and 1 mg Melatonin before bed (sleep aid). Maybe you could try that. 2. But therapy and meds can do only so much. God is the ONLY one who knows what you’re thinking, how you’ve struggled and what you’re going thru. He loves you passionately and wants to be your BFF. He has a super-deluxe custom-made plan for your life that’s beyond anything you ever dreamed of. BUT He waits for us to ask. Invite Him into your heart, ask Him to take over your life. You will instantly feel better. You are His special masterpiece. He planned for you before He even created the universe. Watch Him ease the stress and give you peace in it's place. He is on YOUR side. He never stops thinking about you. His thoughts toward you are more than the grains of sand on the beach (Psalm 139). He loves you more than you can possibly imagine! Find a big happy church and join some groups. Get a bible that’s easy to read (New King James is good) and read it every day. Find Christian support groups. Watch Christian programs like Joel Osteen, 700 Club, Daystar, TBN TV. Read Christian books, watch Christian DVDs. All the above and churches also have wonderful counselors that can help you. There's so much fascinating information to learn. Jesus loves you more than you can possibly imagine. You’ll have fun and the rest of your life will be the very best of your life. Since the bible is the best-selling book of all time, nobody can claim to have even a basic education without having read and studied it. I hope this helps; it sure made a huge difference for me :) They who seek The Lord shall not lack any good thing. Ps. 34:10 Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. Ps 37:4-6 Pour out your heart to Him (Ps 62:8) Nothing you say will shock or surprise God. "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 cor 2:9 WOW!

Answer 4

This is an answer claiming to be a summary of the DSM-IV, the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders.

"Depression is mental illness in which a person experiences deep, unshakable sadness and diminished interest in nearly all activities. The term depression is also used to describe the temporary sadness, loneliness, or blues that everyone feels from time to time. In contrast to normal sadness, severe depression, also called major depression, can dramatically impair a person’s ability to function in social situations and at work. People with major depression often have feelings of despair, hopelessness, and worthlessness, as well as thoughts of committing suicide."

While this is essentially correct, only a professional can make the appropriate diagnosis. Things change over the course of time and re-evaluation is always a good idea, remember we as people are very complex and dynamic, it is essential to our survival. Unfortunately, this flexibility of ourselves can be counter productive and also lead to maladaptive things like depression . Remember, the source of disorders at any given time period can be purely psychological (needing therapy to determine the source), biological (needing pharmacological intervention) or both.

Answer 5

HELP WITH MENTAL PROBLEMS

Mental Health Info Source 1-800-447-4474 Mental Health Resources and Information

National Institute of Mental Health 1-888-ANXIETY Mental Health Resources and Information

Answer 6

i think you need to get re-assessed. sounds like major depression to me. normal depression usually always is linked to a life-event (divorce, death of a loved one, job loss etc) and usually will go away with time. major depression, on the other hand, often has no external cause. though it can be triggered or aggravated by events. because youve had this depression for 4 years, id think it was low-grade major depression. but it definitely should be addressed because it can develop to high grade at any time and you could have a sudden "major depressive episode" which is characterized by SEVERE panic and anxiety attacks that are debilitating and often people in this state commit suicide. you could also be in a cycle of depression that comes and goes for periods of times over your life. but these cycles do tend to get more severe as you get older, so i would strongly advise you to talk to family doctor who can refer you to a specialist in this field. you may need to form a plan of strategy to combat this. it may consist of meds, counselling, self help techniques, diet and exercise and lifestyle changes, etc. dont delay any longer; theres no need to suffer. you need to educate yourself about depression and start to combat it now. theres also mounting evidence that major depression can be hereditary. you need to let your parents know how youre truly feeling. good luck to you. i know, Ive been there.

Answer 7

Well depression is just that...Major=a more serious kind of depression.
People are nasty sometimes...they think one can snap out of it!
Its just not true..
I have had it, and its no joke.
In your case, if you are bordering suicidal....PLEASE seek help!
I lost two family members to suicide, in the last 10 yrs.They were
brothers....and I will say, its on the increase.

I plead with you sweetheart! seek help.
Also, pray if you can...o.k. I too shall pray for you, and that you will find help...very soon.
Death is not the answer, but I too have been there, and it is
great...I didn't go down that track, for my kids sake.

Please remember...you have family...who may never heal, if you do take your life....so think of them, if you can't..o.k.

Get help soon................please. go to your doctor.aBIG HUG OO

Answer 8

i cant give the complete answer because don't know how much you concerned about this matter. so for the sake of complete knowledge i m sending you the link visit this link and you will find many info about this matter such as what is depression and difference between anxiety and depression etc. this isthe link and dont forget to select my answer best. God bles you.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_depression

Answer 9

if it is major depression it is generally worse then depression,major depression often gets mis diagnosed, major depression can also be bi polar disorder, i would advise talking to a doctor as yahoo answerers are not the ones to diagnose

Answer 10

there's no difference, major depression is a type (the main type) of depression. other types are seasonal affective disorder (SAD), postpartum depression, and the depression side of manic depressive disorder. so you WERE diagnosed with major depression.