The term ‘clinical depression’ is the more popular term used to describe symptoms of MDD. But MDD is so bad that usually people so affected are totally wiped out by it. There are many symptoms of MDD and they include both physical and emotional symptoms. These can include inability to focus, a lack of self-esteem, fluctuations in weight, lethargy, sleeping all day, loss of sex drive, and sadness. Some people even become suicidal.

Some types of depression such as postpartum depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) are actually forms of major depression disorder. (By the way, sometimes it is referred to as “Major Depressive Disorder.”) People considered to have MDD – regardless of the type of ’sub-category’ depression type – must be a depressed mood for over two weeks and have at least five other classic depression symptoms. So if a patient is experiencing these symptoms, treatment becomes necessary. This is not just a case of “the blues.”

There are many recommended treatments for MDD, but the most common are medication, psychotherapy, and even ECT (Electro-Convulsive-Therapy, a.k.a. “electroconvulsive therapy”).

Some new treatments are starting to be used today, with some people swearing by their effectiveness and others swearing at them. Light therapy, for instance, has proven effective for seasonal affective disorder, whereas it was once considered bogus.

Some natural remedies, though, are clearly NOT so effective. One herbal remedy for depression is St. John’s Wort, but its effectiveness is limited. Another “natural” remedy being experimented with is acupuncture, but so far its effectiveness hasn’t been proven as well.

But don’t wait until things get critical with your friend or loved one (or yourself!). Get some sort of treatment going ASAP. Whether the treatment is ‘official’ established depression treatment or some weird alternative treatment, the important thing is to get something going.

Any possible physical causes for the depression should be examined first. Often the cause is a hard-to-diagnose disease, bad diet, or simply genetic – inherited predisposition to depression.

Then emotional problems should be looked into, and this includes past trauma, bereavement, any suppressed mental struggles and so forth.

So the therapist needs to be a good detective of sorts, along with being a trained therapist. Because lots of things can contribute to MDD, including a history of drug and alcohol abuse, prior sexual abuse, lack of enough sunlight, just to name a few. These are important skills to have in order to accurately identify the cause of the depression and be able to put together the best treatment program.

Chuck’s incredible survival of a suicide attempt when he was just sixteen years young inspired him to write a book to help others. To discover more about Major Depression Disorder, go to his site at http://www.dealwithdepression.org