Depression is a common emotion that is experienced by many adults. It presents itself on a variety of intensities – ranging from being sad for a moment about something, all the way to developing a full-blown mental disorder. If you are seeking a mental health clinic near Gauteng that can assist you with overcoming the symptoms of depressive mental disorders, Beethoven Recovery Centre is your first choice.
There is a vast selection of treatable mental disorders that can be caused by depression. These disorders can disrupt your daily routine and cause you to fall into a downward spiral after a while. Beethoven Recovery Centre can help you overcome these disorders and manage the symptoms accordingly. Let’s talk about major depressive disorder and how this treatable mental disorder’s symptoms can be managed.
Major Depressive Disorder: A Definition
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is classified as a mental health condition that causes a person to experience a persistent mood of depression and low energy. It can also cause a person to lose interest in activities that they would usually like and enjoy. In extreme cases, MDD can also affect sleeping patterns and eating habits, as well as causing brain fog and the inability to think clearly. A clinical diagnosis will require these symptoms to be consistent over a minimum period of at least 2 weeks.
MDD is considered a chronic condition, which means that a person suffering from MDD will always experience corresponding symptoms. However, MDD usually affects a person in episodes. This means that it isn’t always present and only manifests itself when triggered by behavioural patterns or experiencing an event that causes a depressive mood or state of mind. Episodes usually last for several weeks or months on end. MDD should not be confused with persistent depressive disorder, as both are vastly different in comparison.
Different Subtypes of MDD
MDD covers a range of subtypes when it comes to treatable mental disorders that are caused by constant depression. These subtypes include:
- Atypical depression
- Prenatal depression
- Postpartum depression
- Seasonal affective disorder
People who suffer from MDD can also experience alternative mental disorders that include:
- Substance abuse disorder
- Panic disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
How Can I Differentiate MDD from Regular Depression?
It is difficult to differentiate MDD from regular depression, as both will leave you feeling helpless and with a large proverbial weight bearing down on you. When life throws its challenges at you, it is normal to feel sad and experience low moods. Some people will refer to these feelings as being depressed as well. However, these feelings will only last for a few days. If they persist over extended periods (weeks or months), and include other symptoms, like the ones mentioned above, you might be dealing with MDD.
To add to the confusion, many people who experience prolonged episodes of depressive states, can refer to these states as depression only – not seeking the necessary professional treatment solutions at a mental health clinic and rather resorting to medication. The problem with medication is that it can cause a person who suffers from MDD to develop an addiction to their meds – as they convince themselves that the meds help them overcome their depressive mood. However, it only serves as a temporary solution that could potentially become a larger problem.
Our Approach to Professional Psychiatric Care
Beethoven Recovery Centre’s mental health clinic is geared to deliver professional psychiatric care at our remotely located facility. Our facility is surrounded by nature to create a peaceful environment that is perfect for self-healing. We remove our patients from the bustling city life and allow them peace and quiet to work on themselves and overcome the challenges of depressive mental disorders with our help.
If you need to get away from everything and overcome a treatable mental disorder that is caused by depression, our mental health clinic is an ideal answer for you. We admit people of 16 years of age and older to our care and can be your solution to get out of your depressive slump.
Beethoven Recovery Centre is your answer to a mental health clinic near Gauteng. Please browse our website for details on our treatment solutions and facility and feel free to contact us today if you have any questions about how we can assist you. Take the hand that reaches out to you and overcome depression with us in your corner.