What is the definition of clinical depression?

Q.I am also new to this group, although I have been lurking here for weeks. I have a question. What exactly defines clinical depression? I have been going through a very rough three years, with my little boy who has cancer. He was diagnosed in July 1993. Last September he relapsed. It seems that no matter what we try to help him, nothing is working. He is only 6 years old, and he is my entire world. We are down to one last attempt to save him. A bone marrow transplant.

A.You're having a rougher time than most of us do. I won't begin to say I understand what you're feeling because there's no way I really could, but this is a heartbreaking story and I only hope for the best for your son and yourself. Yes, this sounds very much like clinical depression. Events can trigger depression as can individual brain chemistry that one has always had. In either case, there are treatments that can help and I urge you to look into them. Look for a psychotherapist and talk this over with him or her. If they recommend anti-depressant medication, they will work with a psychiatrist to see what works best for you. They can really make a difference. Please look into this. At the very least it can help ease your own suffering so you can "be there" more for your son. have been going through a very rough three years, with my little boy who has cancer. He was diagnosed in July 1993. Last September he relapsed. It seems that no matter what we try to help him, nothing is working. He is only 6 years old, and he is my entire world. We are down to one last attempt to save him. A bone marrow transplant. There is a very real possibility that the transplant will kill him. Greater than 50% chance odds. This is the only option open to us. We are waiting to see if the transplant centre will accept him. I will know the answer by Wednesday of this week. If they refuse to do the procedure, I will lose my little sweetie. I decided 3 years ago when he was diagnosed, that if I loose my son, I will end my life, because I refuse to live without him. He is my entire world. Another thing is that I have always promised my son that I will always be with him. He is NOT ALLOWED TO GO ANYWHERE WITHOUT HIS MOMMY!!! I will follow him in death, if it should come to that. I don't sleep. My mind is consumed with his cancer. I spend all my time focused on researching possible treatment options for him. On two occasions I have been told that he is dying, and so far he has defyed the odds. I have completely withdrawn from all outside contact, and my life revolves around the oncology unit at the children's hospital. Is this all a normal reaction to a bad situation, or am I clinically depressed. I have no time for this in my life right now. My child is depending on me. I will never let him down. What do you think? I simply cannot find anything in life that makes me happy. I'm tired. I just want this all to stop. Please, what is wrong with me? situational depression is due to stressful life events, clinical depression is depression that has taken on a life of its own independent of life events, you are currently suffering from both, nothing is 'wrong" with you, it's a normal reaction, but you need to get your son's doctor to refer you to a psychiatrist TODAY. There are workable and appropriate therapies available.

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