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What is Depression?

Depression is an illness that affects the body, mood, and thoughts. It affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels, and the way one thinks about things. A depressive disorder is not the same as a passing blue mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness.

Depression can be mild, moderate or severe. Severe depression is a very complex illness that should be evaluated by professionals who are familiar with all of its manifestations. A complete clinical evaluation has to be done which includes a physical examination, a medical and psychiatric history, and a mental status examination.

The first step in the treatment of depression is a physical examination. This is done to rule out disorders like thyroid disease, anemia or a recent viral infection, which can produce symptoms similar to those found in a depressive illness. Detailed case history by the specialist can give valuable clues about the patient's condition. The doctor needs to evaluate whether specific events in the patient's life could be contributing to their depression or whether the depression appears to have occurred for no obvious reason. The doctor has to inquire whether other family members have suffered from depression. A vital element of this examination is to assess the severity of the depression, particularly whether there is any danger that the patient will attempt suicide. In such cases, the patient has to be hospitalized until the danger passes.

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