Depression

What is depression?

Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn't worth living.

More than just a bout of the blues, depression isn't a weakness and you can't simply "snap out" of it. Depression may require long-term treatment. But don't get discouraged. Most people with depression feel better with medication, psychotherapy or both.

While certain factors increase the risk of developing depression, it can affect anyone, at any age, and of any race or ethnic group.

While most individuals with depression have a full remission of the disorder with effective treatment, only about a third (35%) of those suffering from severe depression seek treatment from a mental health professional. People often resist treatment because they believe depression isn't serious, that they can treat it themselves, or that it is a personal weakness rather than a serious medical condition.

Did you know?

Major depression is common, affecting more than 8% (21 million) of American adults each year. 15% of youth (3.7 million) ages 12-17 are affected by major depression.

What causes Depression?

Many things can contribute to clinical depression. For some people, several factors seem to be involved, while for others a single factor can cause the symptoms.

Biological -People with depression may have a disproportionate amount of neurotransmitters that may contribute to depression. Changes in these brain chemicals may cause or contribute to depression.

Cognitive - People with maladaptive thinking patterns and low self-esteem are more likely to develop clinical depression.

Gender - Depression affects people of all genders, though research indicates that women may experience it more frequently than men. This could be influenced by various factors, including hormonal changes associated with menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. Additionally, the distress from managing multiple responsibilities often placed on women might also contribute.

Co-occurrence - Depression is more likely to occur along with certain illnesses, such as heart disease, cancer, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and hormonal disorders.

Medications - Side effects of some medications can bring about depression.

Genetic - A family history of depression increases the risk of developing the illness. Some studies also suggest that a combination of genes and environmental factors work together to increase risk for depression.

Situational - Trauma, including divorce, financial problems, or the death of a loved one can contribute to depression.

Types of Depression

The Depressive Disorders include: Major Depressive Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder, Premenstrual Depressive Disorder, Substance/Medication-Induced Depressive Disorder, Depressive Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition, Other Specified Depressive Disorder, Unspecified Depressive Disorder and Unspecified Mood Disorder

Depressive disorders are a category of mood disorders that involve extended periods of feeling extremely sad or empty and disrupt a person’s ability to enjoy life. Some of the most common depressive disorders include:

Major depressive disorder (clinical depression): a mental health condition characterized by an inescapable and ongoing low mood often accompanied by low self-esteem and loss of interest or pleasure in activities that a person used to find enjoyable. To meet the criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD), symptoms must be present nearly every day for at least two weeks. MDD is also often referred to as major depression.

Persistent depressive disorder: refers to a longer-lasting form of depression. While major depressive disorder is diagnosed if an individual experiences symptoms for at least two weeks, persistent depressive disorder is used when symptoms of depression are present on most days for at least two years but do not reach the severity of a major depressive episode. Prior to the release of the DSM-5 this was more commonly known as dysthymia.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: a form of pre-menstrual syndrome that is diagnosed when a woman experiences severe symptoms of depression, tension, and irritability in the week prior to menstruation. While it isn’t uncommon for most women to experience emotional and physical changes prior to menstruation, women who meet criteria for PMDD experience changes that impact their lives in more profound ways.

Seasonal affective disorder: a mood disorder involving symptoms of depression associated with varying levels of sunlight during fall and winter months which subsides during spring and summer.

Substance/Medication-Induced Depressive Disorder: A prominent and persistent disturbance in mood that predominates in the clinical picture and is characterized by depressed mood or markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities.

Symptoms

Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
Sleeping too much or too little; middle of the night or early morning waking
Weight fluctuations; reduced appetite and weight loss, or increased appetite and weight gain
Loss of pleasure and interest in activities once enjoyed, including sex
Restlessness, irritability
Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment (such as chronic pain or digestive disorders)
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
Fatigue or loss of energy
Feeling guilty, hopeless, or worthless
Thoughts of suicide or death

A quick, easy, and confidential way to determine if you may be experiencing depression is to take a screening. A screening is not a diagnosis, but a way of understanding if your symptoms are having enough of an impact that you should seek help from a doctor or other professional. Take a depression screen.

Complications & Risk Factors

Depression often begins in the teens, 20s or 30s, but it can happen at any age. More women than men are diagnosed with depression, but this may be due in part because women are more likely to seek treatment.

Factors that seem to increase the risk of developing or triggering depression include:

Traumatic or stressful events, such as physical or sexual abuse, the death or loss of a loved one, a difficult relationship, or financial problems
Relatives with a history of depression, bipolar disorder, alcoholism or suicide
Let's rephrase this to "Identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or being intersex---having variations in genital development that are not distinctly male or female--while in an unsupportive environment.
History of other mental health disorders, such as anxiety disorder, eating disorders or post-traumatic stress disorder
Abuse of alcohol or recreational drugs
Serious or chronic illness, including cancer, stroke, chronic pain or heart disease
Certain medications, such as some high blood pressure medications or sleeping pills (talk to your doctor before stopping any medication)

If you need Support

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. Text MHA to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor from Crisis Text Line. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

If you need support but are not in crisis

Consider reaching out to a warmline. Warmlines offer a place to call when you just need to talk to someone. Speaking to someone on these calls is typically free, confidential, and run by people who understand what it’s like to struggle with mental health problems. Find a warmline at mhanational.org/warmlines.

At Wise Mind Counseling, PLLC

We are committed to helping you work successfully through complex mental health challenges such as Anxiety Disorders. We have a dedicated and experienced staff who can provide a wide range of therapeutic options to enable you to deal with challenges and live your best life. Reach out to us today for more information or a consultation.