What does MDD mean in MEDICAL

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a type of mood disorder that causes persistent sadness, feelings of worthlessness, loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. MDD can affect a person's ability to carry out day-to-day activities.

Common symptoms of MDD include depressed mood, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, problems sleeping or sleeping too much, difficulty focusing on school or work tasks, changes in appetite leading to weight gain or loss, physical agitation or slowing down of movements, and recurring thoughts of death or suicide.

To diagnose MDD, a doctor will typically conduct an assessment that includes gathering information from both the patient and family members as well as psychological testing. The doctor may also order lab tests to rule out other possible medical conditions such as thyroid disease.

Treatment for major depressive disorder usually involves psychotherapy and/or medications. Treatment options may include individual counseling sessions with a therapist; group therapy; cognitive behavioral therapy; medication such as antidepressants; or a combination thereof.

Major depressive disorder can be recurrent but it’s not necessarily lifelong. Many people find that with appropriate treatment and support they are able to manage their symptoms fairly well and even go into remission in some cases.

Yes, although depression is more common among adults than youth and adolescents can suffer from major depressive episodes too. Common signs in children can include withdrawing from social activities they once enjoyed, having difficulty concentrating on schoolwork or hobbies, feeling overwhelmed by feelings of hopelessness and despair more days than not.

While there are some herbs like St John’s wort that have been studied for treating depression, these products are not regulated by the FDA so it’s important to exercise caution when using them and consult with your physician first as they can interact with certain medications you might be taking. Professional treatment should always be accessed before trying herbal remedies alone.

Yes! Exercise has been shown to improve mental health conditions including depression since it releases endorphins which act as natural painkillers that help reduce stress and promote relaxation. Aiming for 30 minutes of moderate physical activity at least three times per week is recommended to see therapeutic benefits.

Eating healthy meals throughout the day; getting 7-8 hours of sleep each night; staying active by going outside for walks or doing light exercises; scheduling time for yourself to relax through reading books or listening calming music; talking about your feelings to those close friends ;and practicing mindfulness like deep breathing exercises are all helpful tools when managing difficult emotions brought on by depression.