Major Depressive Disorder, Adult
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a mental health condition. People with this disorder feel very sad, hopeless, and lose interest in things. Symptoms last most of the day, almost every day, for 2 weeks. MDD can affect:
What are the causes?
The cause of MDD is not known.
What are the signs or symptoms?
The main symptoms of this condition are:
Being sad all the time.
Being grouchy (irritable) all the time.
Not enjoying the things you usually like.
Sleeping too much or too little.
Eating too much or too little.
Feeling tired.
Other symptoms include:
Gaining or losing weight, without knowing why.
Being restless and weak.
Feeling hopeless, worthless, or guilty.
Trouble thinking or making decisions.
Thoughts of hurting yourself or others, or thoughts of ending your life.
Spending a lot of time alone.
Being unable to do daily tasks.
If you have very bad MDD, you may:
Believe things that are not true.
Hear, see, taste, or feel things that are not there.
Have mild depression that lasts for at least 2 years.
Feel very sad and hopeless.
Have trouble speaking or moving.
Feel very sad during some seasons.
Follow these instructions at home:
Alcohol use
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Do not drink alcohol if:
Your health care provider tells you not to drink.
You are pregnant, may be pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant.
- If you drink alcohol:
- Limit how much you use to:
Know how much alcohol is in your drink. In the U.S., one drink equals one 12 oz bottle of beer (355 mL), one 5 oz glass of wine (148 mL), or one 1½ oz glass of hard liquor (44 mL).
Activity
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Exercise as told by your doctor.
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Spend time outdoors.
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Make time to do the things you enjoy.
- Find ways to deal with stress. Try to:
Meditate.
Do deep breathing.
Spend time in nature.
Keep a journal.
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Return to your normal activities when your doctor says that it is safe.
General instructions
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Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
- Talk to your doctor about:
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Eat healthy foods.
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Get a lot of sleep.
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Think about joining a support group. Ask your doctor about that.
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Keep all follow-up visits. Your doctor will need to check on your mood, behavior, and medicines, and change your treatment as needed.
Where to find more information:
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National Alliance on Mental Illness:
nami.org
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Contact a doctor if:
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You feel worse.
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You get new symptoms.
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You hurt yourself on purpose (self-harm).
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You have thoughts about hurting yourself or others.
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You see, hear, taste, smell, or feel things that are not there.
Get help right away if you feel like you may hurt yourself or others, or have thoughts about taking your own life. Go to your nearest emergency room or:
This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.