Depression is a prevalent and disabling mental illness in the world. It influences the mood. It affects the thoughts. Compromises your physical health and is a major interference with daily functioning and quality of life.
Studies have shown that around 4% of the population has a major depressive episode at one point in their lives. And quite a number of them live with less severe manifestations of the depression symptoms.
Even though it is so widespread, depression causes are still the subject of mass misconceptions. It is not sorrow, but rather a medical condition based on the biological, psychological, and social mechanisms.
What Is Depression?
Depression is a severe mood disorder that is distinguished by the constant experience of sadness, emptiness, and lack of interest in activities that once were joyful to you. Moreover, depression is not a short-term condition, and thus, unlike feelings of sadness that everyone experiences at some point, it is a long-lasting disorder that greatly disrupts the normal functions, relationships, and even the general quality of life.
This mental illness influences your sleep, eating, working, and socializing with other people. Depression is a multifaceted alteration of the brain chemistry and needs to be properly treated and addressed with proper medical help.
What are the Different Types of Depression?
Depression has different forms, each of which is different:
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Major Depressive Disorder is the most common. This type of depression involves persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness. These feelings are long-lasting and last for at least two weeks. Yes. They badly interfere with daily life.
People with MDD may experience fatigue. They show a loss of interest in activities. Also, their appetite and sleep habits have changed. They face difficulty in concentrating and thoughts of worthlessness or death.
Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
Persistent Depressive Disorder is mild but chronic. A form of moderate depression that lasts for two years or more. Symptoms are often less intense than major depression but are long-lasting.
They can feel exhausting over time. Individuals may describe feeling “low” most days, with poor self-esteem. PDD patients face low energy and a general sense of pessimism.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Seasonal Affective Disorder is linked to changes in seasons. SAD most commonly begins in the fall or winter. Mainly triggered when daylight hours decrease.
Symptoms include low mood, fatigue, and increased sleep. Includes cravings for carbohydrates and social withdrawal.
SAD often improves with the return of longer daylight in spring and summer.
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression affects some individuals after childbirth. When depression symptoms go beyond the temporary “baby blues,” it is postpartum depression!
It can include intense sadness, anxiety, mood swings, and difficulty bonding with the baby.
Without proper depression treatment, symptoms can persist and impact both the parent and child.
Psychotic Depression
Psychotic depression is a severe form of major depression. It is accompanied by psychotic symptoms. Including delusions or hallucinations.
These psychotic features are often related to themes of guilt, illness, or worthlessness. This condition requires immediate medical attention.
Atypical Depression
Despite the name, atypical depression is relatively common. 15% to 36% depression patients are diagnosed with atypical depression.
It is characterized by mood reactivity. Meaning mood can temporarily improve in response to positive events.
Other features include increased appetite, excessive sleep, heavy feelings in the limbs, and sensitivity to rejection.
The other forms are bipolar disorder (which presupposes the succession of depressive and manic reactions), premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and depression, according to the medical conditions.
What are Depression Signs and Symptoms?
Early intervention requires the identification of symptoms of depression.
Key indicators include:
- Periodical episodes of depression, despair or anhedonia.
- Failure to enjoy hobbies and activities that you liked.
- Vivid changes in the appetite, resulting in weight loss or gain.
- Sleep difficulties, insomnia or drowsiness.
- Happiness and loss of energy.
- Difficulty with concentration, decision-making and remembering.
- Sense of uselessness or too much guilt.
- Physiological illnesses such as headaches, digestive disorders or pain.
- Thoughts of death or suicide
When the symptoms and signs of depression are present almost daily and if you have at least five of them daily, over at least two weeks, you need to consult a professional depression psychologist for assistance right away.
What Causes Depression?
Depression has no one cause but the outcome of a complicated sequence of factors. Some depression causes are:
→ Brain Chemistry. The brain chemistry is an important factor, as the disproportions in such neurotransmitters as serotonin and dopamine influence the mood.
→ Genetics. It is also the contribution of genetics. A first-degree relative with depression puts you at a higher risk of an increased three times the general population. Nevertheless, even in the case of no family history, depression may take place.
→ Environment. Environmental factors that could cause depressive episodes include traumatic experience, chronic stress, loss of a loved one or isolation.
→ Medical Problems. There are other health-related problems that contribute to escalated depression rates, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and chronic pain.
→ Substance Use. Depression symptoms may be induced or worsened by substance use, and alcohol is one of them.
How is Depression Diagnosed?
There is no single blood test or scan for depression. Hence, diagnosis is determined by the prudent analysis of the symptoms, medical history, and mental health history.
Your doctor uses standardized questionnaires to determine the extent of the symptoms e.g., Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). They will also carry out physical examination and blood tests to rule out underlying medical conditions that can bring similar symptoms, like thyroid disorder.
The total number of symptoms that almost daily affect you and last less than two weeks and those that severely impact your daily functioning are five or more, and these are required to be combined with feelings of depression to qualify as having depression.
What are the Risk Factors of Depression?
Several factors increase the chances of having depression:
- Family history- depression or other mental conditions.
- Individual trauma, abuse or neglect.
- Long-term health issues or long-term pain.
- Significant life transitions or stressful events.
- Social support deficiency or isolation.
- Substance abuse problems
- Some mood-altering drugs.
- Past occurrence of depression.
Knowledge of these risk factors can aid in the identification of people who can be used as targets of preventive measures or early depression treatment.
Treatment of Depression
Depression can be treated!
An estimated 80-90% tend to respond to treatment.
Best practices are:
→ Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy, especially cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), assists in recognizing and modifying negative behaviors and thoughts. It is the very first approach that professional depression psychologists take in treating depression is psychotherapy. It is a non-aggressive approach with a higher rate of outcome.
→ Medication
Antidepressants are some of the medications that can be used to correct a brain chemical imbalance. There are antidepressants prescribed by depression psychiatrsits after evaluating your health and symptoms.
→ Lifestyle Modifications
The lifestyle interventions, such as physical activities, a nutritious diet, quality sleep, and stress management processes, contribute to the general mental state. These lifestyle modifications can act as depression treatment and would not replace other therapies.
→ Brain Stimulation Therapy
Brain stimulation therapy, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), or transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) are some of the treatments for depression. They are applied in the situation of severe or treatment-resistant depression.
→ Integrated Treatment Options
There are also now integrated treatment options. Counseling in online therapy for depression, and more intensive treatment programs in an inpatient setting, can be taken into account when looking for depression treatments in Florida. In online therapy for depression, treatment is individualized and can be a combination of several methods depending on the severity and needs of the individual.
Need Help Combatting Depression?
Early diagnosis and the right treatment can transform lives!
Our depression therapists and professionals at Health & Psychiatry depression treatment center in Florida provide online sessions and inpatient services based on your convenience.
FAQs
How long does depression last?
The extent of depression differs greatly with the type of depression and the treatment being received, and can take a matter of a few weeks up to months or even years.
How to help someone with depression?
Listening without judgment, promoting professional assistance, providing practical support, and keeping in constant contact are some ways to help someone with depression.
Can depression go away on its own?
Moderate cases may respond, but clinical depression in most cases can only be greatly improved with depression therapy.
Can depression affect physical health?
Yes, depression may lead to migraines, digestive issues, pain and inflammation, and predispose to such diseases as heart disease and diabetes.
How do you get diagnosed with depression?
Depression is diagnosed by examining the symptoms and, in some cases, questionnaires or physical examinations.
