Notes On Depression

The Institute for Personality and Ability Testing has certified Robert Fettgather as a Stress Management Trainer, and Medical Hypnosis Seminars of the Los Gatos Institute has certified him in Clinical Hypnotherapy. At Santa Clara University, Graduate Department of Education and Counseling Psychology, Robert Fettgather's studies included Health Education and Behavioral Medicine. His writings have appeared in several journals.

Major depressive disorder may be a single episode or recurrent, but it is always time limited; in another form of depression noted above, persistent depressive disorder, the symptoms are somewhat milder but remain relatively unchanged over long periods. 

Two fundamental experiences can contribute either singly or in combination to all specific mood disorders: a major depressive episode and a manic episode. A less severe episode of mania that does not cause significant impairment in social or occupational functioning is known as a hypomanic episode. An individual who suffers from episodes of depression only is said to have a unipolar disorder. An individual who alternates between periods of depression and mania has  bipolar disorder (formerly called manic depression) which is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). Cyclothymic disorder is a milder but more chronic version of bipolar disorder. Persistent depressive disorder (formerly called dysthymia) is characterized by consistently low moods that are not as severe as major depression. 

Bereavement: We all experience loss.  In that sense grief is difficult but quite normal.  Approximately 20% of bereaved individuals may experience a pathological, complicated grief reaction in which the normal grief response develops into a full-blown mood disorder.  But Allen Frances cautions us that DSM V has made it easier to diagnose MDD among the bereaved…”medicalizing grief reduces the dignity of the pain and short-circuits the expected existential processing of loss…”

There are many practices and rituals (e.g., memorial services, lighting candles) and resources to support those who have lost a loved one. One of my favorites, Soaring Spirits also provides virtual support. Working through grief can take many forms including writing. Journaling helps: poetry too