What is "major depression"?

What is "major depression"?

Christopher Reist (Academic Psychiatrist, Co-Author of “Psychiatry”) gives expert video advice on: How do I know if I need treatment for depression?; What are common treatments for depression?; Can I prevent my sadness from developing into depression? and more...

Depression, or what is also referred to as major depression, is a psychiatric disorder that's characterized by a persistently depressed mood along with a number of key features. These key features include: problems with sleep, difficulties with concentration and irritability. Major depression is also characterized by something called anhedonia, which is the inability to derive pleasure from things that are typically enjoyed, such as hobbies, sexual activity or even meals. People with major depression will often show changes in weight, have trouble with general motivation, have lethargy and find it difficult to start new activities. This all comes together to cause impairment in social functioning as well as ability to work.