Depression is characterized by a state of intense sadness, melancholia or/and despair that has reached the point of being disruptive to an one's social functioning or day-to-day activities.
Types of Depression:
Depression with Melancholic Features
Depression with Atypical Features
Depression with Psychotic Features
visit psychopathology.info

Answered by jyothi , an ibibo Master, at 7:06 PM on July 27, 2008

Hi
Depression is a mental health disorder that can affect the way you eat and sleep, the way you feel about yourself, and the way you think about things. A depressive disorder is more than a passing mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness, and it cannot be willed or wished away.

A depressive disorder involves the body, mood, and thoughts. People who are depressed cannot "snap out of it" and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for months or years. Treatments such as antidepressant medications and psychotherapy can reduce and sometimes eliminate the symptoms of depression.

Bye

Answered by KHURSHEED , an ibibo Master, at 12:26 AM on July 16, 2008

DEPRESSION -When used to describe a mood, depression refers to what ma be normal feelings of sadness, despair, and discouragement. More serious depression may be a symptom of a variety of physical and mental disorders. However, clinical depression is a specific mental illness. This disorder is characterized by sadness and/or irritability, difficulty concentrating, social withdrawal, slowed thinking, decreased purposeful physical activity, sleep and appetite disturbances, low self-esteem, loss of sex drive, unwarranted feelings of guilt, hopelessness, and thoughts of death and suicide.
AS DEFINED IN WEB DICTIONARY-
http://www.snowde nmentalhealth.com/glossary.mgi

Answered by sanya , an ibibo Master, at 8:14 PM on July 14, 2008

well atul, In the fields of psychology and psychiatry, the terms depression or depressed refer to both expected and pathologically chronic or severe levels of sadness, perceived helplessness, disinterest, and other related emotions and behaviours. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) states that a depressed mood is often reported as being: "depressed, sad, hopeless, discouraged, or 'down in the dumps'." In traditional colloquy, "depressed" is often synonymous with "sad," but both clinical and non-clinical depression can also refer to a conglomeration of more than one feeling. Such a mixture can include (but is not limited to) anger, fear, anxiety, despair, guilt, apathy, and/or grief, in addition to what many people would describe as typical "sadness." Somtimes this "Sadness" can make many communte different illnesses (vomiting, ect.)

Answered by Debashis , an ibibo Master, at 6:08 PM on July 14, 2008

hi there

In the fields of psychology and psychiatry, the terms depression or depressed refer to both expected and pathologically chronic or severe levels of sadness, perceived helplessness, disinterest, and other related emotions and behaviours. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) states that a depressed mood is often reported as being: "depressed, sad, hopeless, discouraged, or 'down in the dumps'." In traditional colloquy, "depressed" is often synonymous with "sad," but both clinical and non-clinical depression can also refer to a conglomeration of more than one feeling. Such a mixture can include (but is not limited to) anger, fear, anxiety, despair, guilt, apathy, and/or grief, in addition to what many people would describe as typical "sadness." Somtimes this "Sadness" can make many communte different illnesses (vomiting, ect.)

Answered by Reeta K , an ibibo Master, at 3:30 PM on July 14, 2008

well atul Depression is defined as 'a feeling of gloom due to disappointment, loss or failure'(1) .

In what is termed 'reactive depression (i.e.. due to stress) the patient does not lose touch with reality. However, in endogenous or 'clinical' depression, the patient is in what is termed a psychotic state and needs expert help.

Answered by Sanjay , an ibibo Guru, at 2:35 PM on July 14, 2008