Major Depressive Disorder

Major Depressive Disorder can be characterized by a number of symptoms. The most common symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder are depressed mood (a low mood or feeling of sadness, emptiness, hopelessness, that is present most of the day, almost every day), loss of interest or pleasure also known as anhedonia (a marked decrease in interest or pleasure in most activities, most of the day, nearly every day), weight changes (significant weight loss or gain or a change in appetite nearly every day), sleep disturbances (insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day), psychomotor agitation or retardation (observable slowness or agitation nearly every day), fatigue or loss of energy (tiredness or little energy throughout the day regardless of the amount of sleep), feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt (may be perceived despite no real reason is present), and decreased concentration (which can lead to poor school or work performance).

Major Depressive Disorder is labelled as a single episode or chronic. Major depressive disorder is broken down into categories such as mild, moderate, or severe. Even a mild case might require treatment. Major Depressive Disorder can be so severe that it causes psychosis. The mainstay treatment for Major Depressive Disorder is antidepressants ranging from Select Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI), Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRI), and augmentation with antipsychotics. If you believe you are suffering from Major Depressive Disorder, please schedule an appointment today. Major Depressive Disorder is highly treatable with medications and therapy.

Treatment with medications may take up to 6-8 weeks before you can feel the full effect of medications. If you are suffering with Major Depressive Disorder, please seek treatment as soon as possible because suicidal ideations and suicide could ensue. Please contact your local emergency room, crisis line, or reach out to your psychiatrist or therapist. The most likely affected population for suicide is elderly, white males going through life changes. They often experience role crisis if unable to provide for their family. Do not go at this alone. Major Depressive Disorder is something most individuals with face at some point within a lifetime. It can occur with large lifestyle changes, post-partum, and during grief. Once diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, it is best to remain on therapy for at least nine months. After this time frame it may be safe to titrate off medications with proper supervision.

Your psychiatrist may ask to continue seeing you once off medications to ensure there is no reemergence of symptoms. After several unsuccessful attempts at titration, you may be considered to have chronic Major Depressive Disorder, and it will be recommended that you remain on medications. Many patients will go on antidepressants and stay on them for years. When going off antidepressants it is recommended that they are weaned off slowly. Abruptly stopping these medications can lead to withdrawal symptoms. Please work with your provider to ensure proper weaning of antidepressants. It could take weeks to months to wean off according to your response with each dose decrease.

Medscape, DSM-5