What is Depressive Illness
Depression is defined as a lowering of mood and is a word commonly used by people when describing feelings of unhappiness or normal sadness. However, depression becomes a recognisable illness when the degree of mood change is out of proportion to the circumstances and is unduly prolonged.
Mood is defined as “ A pervasive and sustained emotion that colours the person’s thinking and perception of the world.”
Mood disorders therefore include mania [heightened mood]. Some healthcare professionals also include anxiety as a mood disorder, since depressive and anxiety disorders often occur together. Dysthymia is a chronic low-grade depressive disorder.
Historically mood disorders were often referred to as affective disorders. The term “affective” has been replaced by “mood.”
More information about this condition:
