EDUCATE YOURSELF ABOUT DEPRESSION
What is Depression?
Depression is a common but serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how a person feels, thinks, and handles daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working.
There are different types of depression, some of which develop due to specific circumstances.
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Major depression includes symptoms of depressed mood or loss of interest, most of the time for at least 2 weeks, that interfere with daily activities.
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Persistent depressive disorder (also called dysthymia or dysthymic disorder) consists of less severe symptoms of depression that last much longer, usually for at least 2 years.
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Perinatal depression is depression that occurs during pregnancy or after childbirth. Depression that begins during pregnancy is prenatal depression, and depression that begins after the baby is born is postpartum depression.
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Seasonal affective disorder is depression that comes and goes with the seasons, with symptoms typically starting in the late fall or early winter and going away during the spring and summer.
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Depression with symptoms of psychosis is a severe form of depression in which a person experiences psychosis symptoms, such as delusions (disturbing, false fixed beliefs) or hallucinations (hearing or seeing things others do not hear or see).
People with bipolar disorder (formerly called manic depression or manic-depressive illness) also experience depressive episodes, during which they feel sad, indifferent, or hopeless, combined with a very low activity level. But a person with bipolar disorder also experiences manic (or less severe hypomanic) episodes, or unusually elevated moods, in which they might feel very happy, irritable, or “up,” with a marked increase in activity level.
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What are the signs and symptoms of depression?
If you have been experiencing some of the following signs and symptoms, most of the day, nearly every day, for at least 2 weeks, you may have depression:
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Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
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Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
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Feelings of irritability, frustration, or restlessness
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Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
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Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
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Fatigue, lack of energy, or feeling slowed down
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Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
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Difficulty sleeping, waking too early in the morning, or oversleeping
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Changes in appetite or unplanned weight changes
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Physical aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause that do not go away with treatment
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Thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts
Credit: Cleveland Clinic
Not everyone who is depressed experiences all these symptoms. Some people experience only a few symptoms, while others experience many. Symptoms associated with depression interfere with day-to-day functioning and cause significant distress for the person experiencing them.
Depression can also involve other changes in mood or behavior that include:
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Increased anger or irritability
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Feeling restless or on edge
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Becoming withdrawn, negative, or detached
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Increased engagement in high-risk activities
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Greater impulsivity
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Increased use of alcohol or drugs
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Isolating from family and friends
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Inability to meet the responsibilities of work and family or ignoring other important roles
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Problems with sexual desire and performance
Depression can look different in men and women. Although people of all genders can feel depressed, how they express those symptoms and the behaviors they use to cope with them may differ. For example, men (as well as women) may show symptoms other than sadness, instead seeming angry or irritable. And although increased use of alcohol or drugs can be a sign of depression in anyone, men are more likely to use these substances as a coping strategy.
In some cases, mental health symptoms appear as physical problems (for example, a racing heart, tightened chest, ongoing headaches, or digestive issues). Men are often more likely to see a health care provider about these physical symptoms than their emotional ones.
Because depression tends to make people think more negatively about themselves and the world, some people may also have thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
Several persistent symptoms, in addition to low mood, are required for a diagnosis of depression, but people with only a few symptoms may benefit from treatment. The severity and frequency of symptoms and how long they last will vary depending on the person, the illness, and the stage of the illness.
If you experience signs or symptoms of depression and they persist or do not go away, talk to a health care provider. If you see signs or symptoms of depression in someone you know, encourage them to seek help from a mental health professional.
What are the risk factors for depression?
Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. Research suggests that genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors play a role in depression.
Risk factors for depression can include:
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Personal or family history of depression
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Major negative life changes, trauma, or stress
Depression can happen at any age, but it often begins in adulthood. Depression is now recognized as occurring in children and adolescents, although children may express more irritability or anxiety than sadness. Many chronic mood and anxiety disorders in adults begin as high levels of anxiety in childhood.
Depression, especially in midlife or older age, can co-occur with other serious medical illnesses, such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, chronic pain, and Parkinson’s disease. These conditions are often worse when depression is present, and research suggests that people with depression and other medical illnesses tend to have more severe symptoms of both illnesses.
Sometimes a physical health problem, such as thyroid disease, or medications taken for an illness cause side effects that contribute to depression. A health care provider experienced in treating these complicated illnesses can help determine the best treatment strategy.
Source: NIH National Institute of Mental Health
