Major Depressive Disorder

DisclaimerThis page is not here to be used as a self-diagnosis, self-identification, or promotion - it's simply here to be informational. Whether or not one self-diagnoses, self-identifies, and/or seeks a professional diagnosis is up to them.Self-HermThe following page includes discussions of self-harm and suicide. If you are uncomfortable or get triggered by this topic, it is recommended to not read this page.

**Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)**, more commonly called **Depression** or **Clinical Depression**, is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It affects how one feels, thins and behaves and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. One may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes one may feel as if life isn't worth living.

## Signs & Symptoms

* Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness.
* Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters.
* Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities.
* Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much.
* Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort.
* Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain.
* Anxiety, agitation or restlessness.
* Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
* Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures and self-blame.
* Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things.
* Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide.
* Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches.

### Diagnosis

To be diagnosed with MDD, an individual must have experienced a depressive episode lasting longer than two weeks. The symptoms of a depressive episode include:

* Loss of interest or loss of pleasure in all activities.
* Changes in appetite or weight.
* Sleep disturbances.
* Feeling agitated or feeling slowed down.
* Fatigue.
* Feelings of low self-worth.
* Difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
* Suicidal thoughts or intentions.

## Causes

While depression is believed to be caused by an imbalance of brain chemicals, it's more likely that other factors play a role. It also tends to run in families. Depression can be triggered by life events or certain illnesses. It can also develop without a clear trigger.

## Known Individuals with Depression

### Kirsten Dunst

Kirsten Dunst has spoken about entering rehab in her 20s for help with depression. She's said she struggled with the condition for years. "It's hard to talk about such a personal thing, but it is important to share too. All I'll say is that medication is a great thing and can really help you come out of something," she's said in an article with *The Times*, "I was afraid to take something so I sat on it for too long."

### Dwayne Johnson

Dwyane "The Rock" Johnson has mentioned how he saved his mother from a suicide attempt when he was 15 and spoken about his experiences with depression himself. "Depression never discriminates," he said in a Tweet, "Took me a long time to realize it but the key is to not be afraid to open up. Especially us dudes have a tendency to keep it in. You're not alone."

### Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga says she's dealt with depression and anxiety her whole life and that she isn't afraid to admit she takes medication for depression. She founded the Born This Way Foundation after writing the titled album. The foundation is aimed towards the LGBTQ+ community and is supporting mental wellness of others and empowering them to create a more accepting world.

### Wayne Brady

Wayne Brady, who battled in silence for the majority of his career, says that in his 30s, his mental health had reached a point where he couldn't ignore it anymore, but he didn't get help until his 40s. "I think depression is an insidious beast [...] in hindsight, I feel that I've always been depressed. I know now that I had an imbalance and I didn't deal with for years."

### Robin Williams

Robin Williams had a history of depression, substance and alcohol abuse and had been diagnosed with Parkinson's. Williams tragically ended his own life in August of 2014 at the age of 63. Some have taken lines from the characters he played, such as, "You'll have bad times, but it'll always wake you up to the good stuff you weren't paying attention to." to turn his loss into a way to spread awareness and share support to those experiencing similar thoughts.

## References

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559078/

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/major-depression

https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/Depression

https://www.prevention.com/health/mental-health/a38200173/kirsten-dunst-on-depression-anger-and-medication/

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/03/dwayne-the-rock-johnson-reveals-how-he-beat-years-of-depression.html

https://mensgroup.com/lady-gaga-depression-and-anxiety/

https://www.parents.com/wayne-brady-opens-about-his-mental-health-struggles-as-a-black-parent-6833771

https://acl.gov/news-and-events/acl-blog/robin-williams-raising-awareness-about-depression