Clinical depression

It is quite normal for humans to become depressed when something bad or unpleasant happens, such as the death of a beloved one or an end to a relationship. In addition to feelings, depression can change a person's behavior, physical health and appearance, academic performance, social activity and the ability to handle everyday decisions. Clinical depression refers to any form of depression that requires some form of treatment in order to alleviate it.

This type of depression normally goes away after some time, but in some cases it persists for much longer. Depression can last for periods of six months or more, and then it falls under the classification of clinical depression.

One/fourth of all women and one/eighth of all men will suffer at least one episode or occurrence of depression during their lifetimes. Depression affects people of all ages but is less common for teenagers than for adults.

Sometimes depressed people cannot perform even the simplest daily activities like getting out of bed or getting dressed.

Depression is classified under three main categories: unipolar disorder (major depression), bipolar disorder (manic depression) and dysthymia (prolonged sadness).