Depression
Depression is a disorder of the brain. It is a serious mental illness that is more than just a feeling of being "down in the dumps" or "blue" for a few days.
For more than 20 million people in the United States who have depression, the feelings persist and can interfere with everyday life.
What is depression?
Depression is a mental health problem that involves having a low mood or losing interest and enjoyment in things. It can also cause a range of other changes to how you feel or behave.
The symptoms you experience may vary. How intense they are, how long they last, and how much they affect your daily life can also vary.
If you experience milder depression, you might have low mood but still be able to carry on with your daily life. But things may feel harder and less worthwhile.
If you have more severe depression, you might find day-to-day life much more difficult. You may also experience suicidal feelings.
Common sign and symptoms of depression
These are some common signs of depression that you may experience:
How you might feel
- Down, upset or tearful
- Restless, agitated or irritable
- Guilty, worthless and down on yourself
- Empty and numb
- Isolated and unable to relate to other people
- Finding no pleasure in life or things you usually enjoy
- Angry or frustrated over minor things
- A sense of unreality
- No self-confidence or self-esteem
- Hopeless and despairing
- Feeling tired all the time
How you might act
- Avoiding social events and activities you usually enjoy
- Self-harming or suicidal behaviour
- Difficulty speaking, thinking clearly or making decisions
- Losing interest in sex
- Difficulty remembering or concentrating on things
- Using more tobacco, alcohol or other drugs than usual
- Difficulty sleeping, or sleeping too much
- No appetite and losing weight, or eating more than usual and gaining weight
- Physical aches and pains with no obvious physical cause
- Moving very slowly, or being restless and agitated
Types of Depression
The types of depression include:
- Major Depressive Disorder, also known as clinical depression, is where people feel that a consistent dark mood is consuming them. It can inhibit daily functions and cause them to lose interest in activities which usually provide them pleasure.
- Persistent Depressive Disorder refers to when a low mood lasts for two or more years in adults and at least one year in children an adolescents. A person with this disorder may experience episodes of major depressive disorder along with periods of less severe symptoms where they are typically able to function day-to-day.
- Postpartum Depression affects women after having a baby. It causes intense, long-lasting feelings of anxiety, sadness, and fatigue, making it difficult for mothers to care for themselves and/or their babies, as well as handle daily responsibilities. Postpartum depression can start anywhere from weeks to months after childbirth.
- Psychotic Depression is a form of depression with psychosis that comes when people get very depressed, such as delusions (false beliefs) and/or hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that are not there).
- Seasonal Affective Disorder is associated with changes in seasons. This form of depression usually occurs during the fall and winter months when there is less sunlight.
- Bipolar Disorder is different than depression, but a person diagnosed with bipolar disorder can experience episodes of major depression.
Treatments for depression
If you’re experiencing symptoms of depression, you might consider the following courses of action:
- Therapy: Find a therapist or mental health care provider who can help you gain insight into your condition and use proven techniques to improve your symptoms and mood. (See more tips below on selecting a therapist and treatment type.)
- Check-ups: Because depression can be caused by medical illness, it's important to stay up to date with your medical appointments and keep your physical health. Scheduling a check-up with your primary care doctor can help you rule out physical conditions that may contribute to your symptoms or get medical treatment for an underlying cause.
- Antidepressant Medications: Many depressed patients find that medication helps reduce their symptoms. Though most prescription medications come with side effects, a medical professional can help you manage these side effects and find the most effective depression treatment.
- Hotlines: If you're having thoughts of suicide or need immediate support, you can always call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration hotline at 1-800-622-4357 can also help you find resources and treatment options.
Also, studies of people with depression have revealed the benefits of getting enough sleep, maintaining physical activity and performing routine exercise, and eating a well-balanced healthy diet in managing positive mental health.
Depression FAQs
When a patient suffers from depression, the hopelessness and other symptoms last for at least two weeks. The signs of depression also interfere with the person’s ability to live their daily life. Counselors may also diagnose this mental illness if the symptoms have not lasted long but are so severe that the patient is in danger.
It’s typical for people to feel sad or even depressed from time to time. When something upsetting happens in life, that feeling can last several days or even two weeks without major depressive disorder. While patients who experience this type of mood may benefit from seeing a therapist, it is not the same as having depression.
If you have thoughts of suicide or self-harm, call or chat with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or chat with them on the website.
If your loved one is in danger of suicide, you can take them to a nearby hospital, emergency room, or mental health facility.
A mental health care team may recommend certain lifestyle changes to cope with depression. For example, a therapist may suggest that a patient remove specific triggers from her life. Meanwhile, a psychiatrist may recommend daily exercise for the patient in addition to his medication.
Meditation, exercise, journaling, and healthy eating habits can all make people with depression feel better. However, lifestyle changes are not always enough to treat depression on their own. People need to seek professional help if they have symptoms of depression and have not been able to heal on their own.
If you love someone who is living with depression, the best thing you can do is encourage them to seek professional help. You can also validate their feelings, provide practical support, and get emergency care if needed.
Let’s talk about your specific needs.