Depression is a common mental health issue that can cause feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and worthlessness. If you’re dealing with depression, it may be hard to focus on your daily activities, maintain relationships with others, and feel good about yourself.
Depression can cause suicidal thoughts and be overwhelming to deal with. If you have depression, treatment options are available, and there are steps you can take to feel better. You can talk with a mental health professional or healthcare provider to learn more about the best treatment options for you.
What Is Depression, and What Are the Symptoms?
Depression is a mental health disorder characterized by a low mood; it can impact how you think, feel, and behave.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are some common symptoms of depression which include:
- Persistent low or sad mood
- Loss of interest in activities that used to be enjoyable
- Loss of appetite or overeating
- Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep through the night
- Trouble concentrating or focusing
- Sleeping too much or not enough
- Irritability
- Feeling helpless, hopeless, or worthless
- Experiencing thoughts of hurting yourself or suicide
- Fatigue
- Aches or pains in your body that aren’t explained by medical causes
If you have depression and are experiencing thoughts of hurting yourself or suicide, please call Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for support and someone to talk to 24/7, 365 days a year.
What Types of Depression Are There?
There are several different types of depression.
According to PubMed, the DSM-5 lists the following depressive disorders:
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): MDD occurs when someone has a persistent low mood or lack of interest in previously pleasurable activities. Symptoms of MDD must last at least two weeks to receive a diagnosis.
- Persistent Depressive Disorder: Persistent depressive disorder is a chronic depression that leads to mild to moderate depressive symptoms. The symptoms of depression with persistent depressive disorder last for at least two years.
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder: Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder is a condition where children and adolescents experience ongoing irritability and anger, and the symptoms are out of the ordinary and severe.
- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD): PMDD occurs the week or two before an individual’s period and causes depression, irritability, and anxiety.
- Substance/Medication-Induced Depressive Disorder: Depression caused by medication or a substance.
- Depressive Disorder due to another Medical Condition: Depression resulting from medical conditions.
- Unspecified Depressive Disorder: Unspecified depressive disorder occurs when depression occurs and doesn’t meet the full criteria of any other depressive disorder.
Depression can also occur with other mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder, in which people alternate experiencing periods of mania and depression.
What Causes Depression?
There isn’t one specific cause of depression. The Cleveland Clinic lists the following potential causes of depression:
- Brain chemistry, such as an imbalance of neurotransmitters
- A family history of depression
- Medical conditions like chronic pain
- Grief
- Trauma
- Stressful life events
- Medications
The exact causes of depression are mostly unknown.
What Treatment Options Are Available for Depression?
Treatment for depression can involve a combination of medications, therapy, and lifestyle changes. If you’re seeking medications to treat depression, your healthcare provider may prescribe you anti-depressants or recommend that you take over-the-counter supplements to help alleviate symptoms.
Being honest with your healthcare provider about your symptoms and past medications can help you find the best medication options. Consider speaking to a doctor before starting any over-the-counter supplements.
Another option for the treatment of depression is psychotherapy. The most common method of treating depression is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). This form of psychotherapy is evidence-based and has a wealth of research to back up its use to treat depression.
According to the National Library of Medicine, other psychotherapeutic approaches include systemic therapy, which focuses on the relationships between people and how relationships with others can aid in symptom relief of depression.
Another potential depression treatment option is psychoanalytic therapy, which can take longer than other forms of psychotherapy but can effectively address past events that can lead to depression in the present.
Additionally, you can practice relaxation techniques, exercise, and yoga, which the National Library of Medicine states has shown some effectiveness in alleviating depression symptoms.
Overview
Depression is a serious mental illness that makes it hard to go about daily activities. There are various causes of depression, and not one person’s experience with depression may be like another’s. There are many ways you can find help for depression. For more information about depression, visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for support and resources.
Resource Links
- “Mental Health Conditions: Depression and Anxiety” via Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- “Major Depressive Disorder” via PubMed
- “Depression” via Cleveland Clinic
- “Treatment Options for Depression” via National Library of Medicine
