Major depression is a serious condition also known as clinical depression, major depressive disorder or unipolar depression. The condition is one of persistent sadness and lack of energy. The individual with major depression no longer takes pleasure in things and activities that used to bring joy.

The person may have loss of appetite or excessive appetite resulting in weight loss or weight gain. These physical manifestations are actually insidious in nature. By the time that the person who has major depression gains or loses a noticeable number of pounds, he is often deep into the depressive state. It may be very difficult to extricate him out of the state.

Sleep problems are common among individuals who have major depression. Some find it impossible to sleep. These individuals are physically and emotionally exhausted but unable to fall into a restful state of sleep. Thoughts of dread and hopelessness invade the person’s ability to rest.
 
Others find themselves preferring sleep over their waking state. These individual would rather sleep their lives away rather than face the all-encompassing major depression. The lack of sleep has a negative impact on the person’s quality of life in general. The person in the depressive state may complain of constant fatigue and lack of energy.

Overall there is a general feeling of despair that the individual with major depression wears almost like a second skin. The feeling seems to become part of the person’s body in a way. The condition spirals into a deeply seeded attitude of self-loathing and misery. When in the depressive state, the individual may not attest his attitude and outlook to a mental condition. Instead he adopts it as part of his personality. This makes major depression seemingly impossible to escape.

The condition can affect almost anyone at any age but it is most commonly found in individuals between the ages of twenty-five and forty-four years of age. The condition of major depression typically lasts from six to nine months and after that period of time it leaves with no intervention almost the way the body gets over a common cold.
 
For some the major depression does not leave. These individuals need to find professional help. The condition can be successfully treated with antidepressant medication. Since the success of medication is so profound, many doctors believe that there is a biological rather than a psychological foundation for major depression. In any case, it is crucial to find help if depression persists or reoccurs over a long period of time.