gs such as Prozac. Depression goes beyond mere feelings of fleeting unhappiness or emotional sadness. Major depression is often accompanied by severe anxiety, insomnia, loss of appetite, lowered self-image, inability to concentrate, restlessness, lack of sexual interest, feelings of impending doom, and suicidal tendencies. Major depression is capable of disabling the sufferer. As one physician puts it, "I ask patients if there are cobwebs in their house. If patients aren't bathing, if their house isn't clean, if they can't get out of bed--that's a good indication that they're depressed" (Turkington, 1994, p. 6). Major depression can persist for months and even years. Although the disorder is known to go into remission, it often resurfaces unless psychiatric or medical treatment is sought.
Depression takes a variety of forms. Major depression, as described above, can be diagnosed only by a mental health expert. Dysthymia is a mild, low-level depression. Double depression is long-term dysthymia coupled with a sudden attack of major depression. Secondary depression is related to a previously existing condition such as AIDS or schizophrenia. Atypical depressions are characterized by cravings such as compulsive overeating, addictions, or impulsiveness. Subclinical depression involves a diagnosis of four or fewer symptoms of depression (five or more such symptoms meet the clinical definition of depression). Manic depression is the experience of erratic behavior alternating between phases of severe depression and excessive excitement. Responsible health professionals agree about the efficacy of Prozac in the treatment of severe, debilitating depression; the use of Prozac for treating dysthymia or subsyndromal disorders forms the nucleus of the controversy surrounding antidepressant drugs.
Depression is caused by a variety of factors. Although some evidence links it to genetic factors, the disease is also triggered by st...