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Depression is a medical condition that affects your mood and ability to function.
A major depressive disorder (clinical depression) diagnosis means you have felt sad, low, or worthless most days for at least two weeks while also having other symptoms such as sleep problems, loss of interest in activities, or change in appetite.
Without treatment, depression can get worse and last longer. In severe cases, it can lead to self-harm or death. Fortunately, treatments can be very effective in improving symptoms of depression.
HOW COMMON IS DEPRESSION?
Depression is common all over the world. Healthcare providers estimate that nearly 7% of American adults have depression yearly. More than 16% of U.S. adults, around 1 in 6, will experience depression in their lifetime.
TYPES OF DEPRESSION
- Major depressive disorder (MDD): Major depression (clinical depression) has intense or overwhelming symptoms that last longer than two weeks.
- Bipolar depression: People with bipolar disorder have alternating periods of low mood and extremely high-energy (manic) periods.
- Perinatal and postpartum depression: “Perinatal” means around birth. Perinatal depression can occur during pregnancy and up to one year after having a baby. Many people refer to this type as postpartum depression.
- Persistent depressive disorder (PDD): PDD is also known as dysthymia. Symptoms of PDD are less severe than major depression.
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD): Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a severe form of the premenstrual disorder (PMS).
- Psychotic depression: People with psychotic depression have severe depressive symptoms and delusions or hallucinations.
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): Seasonal depression, or seasonal affective disorder, usually starts in late fall and early winter.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION?
Depression can affect your emotions, mind, and body. Depression symptoms include:
- Feeling very sad, hopeless, or worried.
- Not enjoying things that used to give you joy.
- Being easily irritated or frustrated.
- Eating too much or too little.
- Changes in how much you sleep.
- Having a difficult time concentrating or remembering things.
- Experiencing physical problems like headache, stomachache, or sexual dysfunction.
- Thinking about hurting or killing yourself.
If you or someone you know has thoughts of hurting themselves, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800.273.8255. This national network of local crisis centers provides free, private emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
WHAT CAUSES DEPRESSION?
- Brain chemistry
- Genetics
- Life events
- Medical conditions
- Medication
- Personality
HOW IS DEPRESSION SYNDROME DIAGNOSED?
Everyone may feel sad or down from time to time. However, clinical depression has more intense symptoms that last two weeks or longer.
Your healthcare provider will ask questions to determine whether you have clinical depression. You may complete a questionnaire and provide a family history. Your healthcare provider may also perform an exam or order lab tests to see if you have another medical condition.
HOW IS DEPRESSION SYNDROME TREATED?
Depression can be severe, but it’s also treatable. Treatment for depression includes:
- Inpatient and Outpatient treatment services: Residential, Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), and Outpatient Program (OP).
- Self-help: Regular exercise, getting enough sleep, and spending time with people you care about can improve depression symptoms.
- Counseling: Counseling or psychotherapy is talking with a mental health professional. Your counselor helps you address your problems and develop coping skills. Sometimes brief therapy is all you need. Other people continue treatment longer.
- Alternative medicine: People with mild depression or ongoing symptoms can improve their well-being with complementary therapy. Therapy may include massage, acupuncture, hypnosis, and biofeedback.
- Medication: Prescription medicine called antidepressants can help change the brain chemistry that causes depression. Antidepressants can take a few weeks to have an effect. Some antidepressants have side effects, which often improve with time. If they don’t, talk to your provider. Different medications may work better for you.
- Brain stimulation therapy: Brain stimulation therapy can help people who have severe depression or depression with psychosis. Types of brain stimulation therapy include electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS).
At Mending Minds, we offer all these services while attending our program. Our mission is to design customized mental health treatment programs to cater to the individual’s needs.
WHAT’S THE OUTLOOK FOR PEOPLE WITH DEPRESSION?
Depression can be mild or severe, brief or long-lasting. It’s essential to get help right away.
Without treatment, depression can:
- Become worse.
- Increase your chance of other health conditions, like dementia.
- Lead to self-harm or death.
- Return, even after you start to feel better.
WHAT CAN I DO IF I HAVE DEPRESSION?
If you have symptoms of depression, see your healthcare provider. They can give you an accurate diagnosis, refer you to a specialist, or suggest treatment options.
