Understanding Depression and Mental Health
What Is Depression?
Clinical depression, a condition called major depressive disorder (MDD), is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and low mood.
Depression is one of the most common mental health issues.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), depression “can cause severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working.” Anyone can experience depression, “regardless of age, race, income, culture, or education.”
How Does It Affect Mental Health?
Depression impacts mental health by reducing overall well-being and quality of life, reducing motivation, causing conflict within relationships, and contributing to preventable health issues.
MDD can interfere with a person’s ability to maintain personal or professional responsibilities, self-care, and a healthy living space.
If left untreated, symptoms of depression, including anxiety, social withdrawal, and loss of interest, may cause some people to develop additional mental health issues, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
What Is the Difference Between Depression and Normal Sadness?
Unlike depression, normal sadness does not persist for weeks or months while impacting multiple areas of your day-to-day life.
Typical sadness is temporary, lasting only a few hours or days, while clinical depression lasts a minimum of two weeks.
Depression also causes structural changes in the brain not seen with normal sadness. According to CNS Neuroscience and Therapeutics, “These changes are associated with emotional bias, apathy, and loss of motivation.”
Types of Depression and Mood Disorders
What Are the Different Types of Depression?
There are multiple types of depression, including clinical disorders, depression linked to substance use or other mental health disorders, depression caused by medical conditions, and unspecified depressive disorders.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), there are four primary types of clinical depressive disorders, including MDD, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD), persistent depressive disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PDD).
Each condition features unique symptoms, underlying causes, and potential side effects.
What Is Major Depressive Disorder?
Major depressive disorder is the most common mental health disorder in the world, characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, low energy, and loss of interest, impacting a person’s ability to function.
Depressive symptoms must last longer than two weeks and significantly affect quality of life to be diagnosed with MDD.
The condition can be successfully treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), regular support group attendance, individual therapy, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), among other evidence-based modalities.
What Is Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)?
Persistent depressive disorder (PDD), also called dysthymia, is a form of mild to moderate depression that persists for long periods and can last for years without treatment.
Mild dysthymia may resolve after several months or years, while moderate dysthymia often requires prescription medication to be treated successfully.
Alta Health uses proven methods to treat persistent depression.
What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression caused by seasonal changes that begins and ends at approximately the same time each year.
Many people experience a shift in mood with changes in the weather and the seasons. For example, most people with SAD experience depressive symptoms during the winter months.
SAD causes persistent sadness, low motivation, anxiety, and other symptoms of depression.
How Is Depression Related to Bipolar Disorder?
Repeated depressive episodes are the primary symptom of bipolar disorder.
Bipolar disorder has cycles of depressive and manic symptoms that impact a person’s ability to function in their day-to-day life. The form of depression most commonly seen with bipolar disorder causes major depressive episodes with persistent sadness, feelings of hopelessness, exhaustion, loss of interest, and an increased risk of suicidal ideation.
Depression in Different Populations
How Does Depression Affect Adolescents?
Depression often looks very different in adolescents compared to adults, with young people becoming more irritable, tired throughout the day, and socially withdrawn.
Young people generally do not exhibit excessive crying, persistent sadness, and other typical signs of depression. Instead, parents may notice behavioral changes such as avoiding social situations, angry outbursts, and changes in sleep or appetite. Adolescents also frequently experience a decline in academic performance during periods of depression.
How Does Depression Present in Older Adults?
Older adults with depression may experience persistent sadness, cognitive decline, memory issues, social withdrawal, fatigue, and an increase in pain levels for people with chronic pain.
Common warning signs of depression in older adults may be misidentified as early signs of dementia due to the cognitive changes it can cause. Confusion, uncharacteristic irritability, sleep disturbances, emotional numbness, and lack of interest in activities significantly impact the mental and physical health of older people.
How Does Depression Co-Occur With Anxiety Disorders or Substance Use Disorder?
Depression may lead to risk-taking behavior, such as substance abuse, or the development of other mental health conditions, including generalized anxiety disorder.
Many people with substance use disorder (SUD), anxiety disorders, and trauma-related mental health issues experience depressed mood or prolonged depressive episodes.
Symptoms of Depression
What Are the Emotional Symptoms of Depression?
Emotional symptoms of depression include persistent and uncharacteristic irritability, sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, helplessness, a sense of doom, and feelings of worthlessness.
The emotional toll of depression can cause some people to experience suicidal ideation or engage in self-destructive behaviors, such as substance abuse.
Treating the emotional symptoms of depression reduces the risk of a person developing addiction or mental health disorders.
What Are the Physical Symptoms of Depression?
Physical symptoms of depression may include changes in sleep and appetite, lethargy, slowed movement or speech, headaches, digestive issues, and unexplained aches or pain.
Untreated depression may cause people to develop preventable health issues that can further complicate their recovery. Early intervention is the best way to avoid experiencing long-lasting physical symptoms and side effects of depression.
How Does Depression Affect Daily Life?
The symptoms and side effects of depression impact behavior, mood, and people’s ability to function in their day-to-day lives.
Depression can cause conflict within personal relationships, impact work or school productivity, increase the risk of additional mental health or preventable medical conditions, and decrease positivity.
Early treatment and comprehensive care limit the effect of depression on daily life.
What Are the Signs of Severe Depression?
People experiencing severe depression may have difficulty completing basic tasks of daily living, including getting out of bed, dressing, preparing or eating meals, working, and maintaining a household.
The signs of severe depression include:
- Feeling “empty”
- Persistent feelings of helplessness or hopelessness
- Frequent crying
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
- Anxiety
- Slowed speech or movement
- Feeling exhausted throughout the day
- Difficulty making decisions
- Memory issues
- Problems concentrating
- Excessive guilt or feelings of worthlessness
- Unusual irritability
Some people with severe depression also experience suicidal ideation or self-harming thoughts and behaviors.
The side effects of depression may cause changes to sleep patterns and appetite, worsening symptoms.
Causes of Depression and Risk Factors
What Causes Depression?
There is no single cause of depression, and often multiple compounding factors lead to the development of clinical depression, including genetics, environment, brain chemistry, chronic stress, life events, trauma, medical conditions, and other underlying issues.
People who have difficulty regulating their emotions may find it challenging to cope with unhealthy family dynamics, physical or psychological stress, chemical imbalances, and other factors that contribute to the development of depression.
What Life Events Can Trigger Depression?
Traumatic life events such as the loss of a loved one, chronic illness, or financial stressors may trigger depressive episodes.
Some other common life events that may trigger depression include moving away from friends or family, workplace stress, recovering from sickness or injury, and giving birth or taking on caretaker responsibilities.
How Does Family History Influence Depression?
People with a family history of depression have an increased risk of developing depression and other mental health disorders.
Depression does have a genetic component in some cases. Having a family member diagnosed with MDD or other mental health disorders may contribute to depression.
What Medical Conditions Are Linked to Depression?
Long-term health issues, such as heart disease, diabetes, chronic pain, autoimmune diseases, and cancer, are associated with a higher risk of depression.
People frequently find it challenging to maintain a healthy lifestyle while struggling with symptoms and side effects of depression. In addition, changes in neurotransmitter levels and other bodily systems may reduce your overall well-being, leading to preventable health issues.
How Depression Is Diagnosed
How Do Mental Health Professionals Diagnose Depression?
A trained professional must administer a standard clinical assessment to diagnose depression.
Clinicians take a medical history, conduct a clinical interview, and use an assessment like the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) or other screening tools to determine if a person has major depression or other mental health disorders.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) provides criteria for depression that clinicians use to make an accurate diagnosis.
When Should You Seek a Healthcare Provider for Depression?
You should seek professional treatment if you notice signs of depression interfering with your everyday life and ability to function.
Depression may impact professional and personal relationships, career or educational goals, physical health, and other aspects of your life. However, early treatment reduces the lasting effects of depression.
Treatment Options for Depression
What Are the Most Effective Treatment Options for Depression?
Psychotherapy and prescription medication provide the most effective relief for people with depression.
Depression caused by chemical imbalances or medical issues can be treated with prescription medication and therapy. Other forms of depression generally respond well to peer support and talk therapy.
How Does Psychotherapy Help Treat Depression?
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other forms of psychotherapy give people the tools to change how they think about their circumstances.
CBT helps people heal by challenging negative self-talk, maladaptive behaviors, and beliefs or values that contribute to low self-esteem.
Alta Health uses CBT and other therapeutic modalities to treat depression. We also use psychiatry for depression when people may benefit from a combination of medication and therapy.
Medications for Depression
What Antidepressant Medications Are Used for Depression?
The most common antidepressant medications include escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), citalopram (Celexa), duloxetine (Cymbalta), venlafaxine (Effexor), desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), and trazodone.
Antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) increase serotonin production and inhibit reuptake, improving mood. Other medication types that treat depression include monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
What Are the Potential Side Effects of Antidepressants?
Antidepressants may cause insomnia, dry mouth, appetite changes, and headache or other mild side effects.
The type of medication and dose will influence potential side effects.
Alta Health educates clients to ensure they make informed decisions about their treatment plan.
Lifestyle Changes and Support for Depression
What Lifestyle Changes Can Help Improve Depression?
Lifestyle changes that improve depression include staying physically active, maintaining a healthy sleep schedule, and engaging with friends and family.
A healthy lifestyle supports mental wellness and reduces the risk of future mental health issues. Hobbies, socializing, creating a balanced schedule, and practicing regular self-care reduce depressive symptoms.
How Can Support Groups Help With Depression?
Talking with others who share similar life experiences helps people with depression feel less alone and overwhelmed.
Support groups provide a safe, nonjudgmental space for people to share their stories, gain insights, and learn new ways to manage their condition. Many people make lifelong friendships with group members, empowering and uplifting one another as they navigate recovery from depression.
What Role Does Self-Esteem Play in Recovery?
Increasing self-esteem reduces negativity and helps empower positive changes that improve mood and emotional regulation.
Individual and group therapy, support groups, family therapy, and other modalities help people in treatment gain self-esteem and increase resilience.
How Can You Support a Loved One With Depression?
Depression frequently causes persistent feelings of guilt, shame, hopelessness, or worthlessness. You can help a loved one struggling with depression by countering these negative thoughts with positive, practical, and emotional support.
Listening without judgment, offering encouragement, assisting with treatment adherence, and showing compassion will help your loved one regain emotional regulation.
Looking after your own emotional health by attending support groups for friends and family of people with depression can also help you gain insights, empathy, and give you tools to support your loved one better.
When Depression Becomes a Crisis
What Are the Warning Signs of Suicidal Thoughts or Self-Harm?
Some of the warning signs of a depression crisis that may indicate a desire to self-harm or suicidal ideation include:
- Giving away precious items
- An uncharacteristic preoccupation with death or dying
- Taking steps to plan (e.g., searching about suicide online)
- Discussing a desire to self-harm
- Acting erratically
- Engaging in unsafe behaviors (e.g., drinking and driving)
Depression may cause some people to have suicidal thoughts or engage in self-harming behavior that can lead to severe injury, accidents, or death. If you notice signs of a mental health crisis, contact a lifeline like 9-8-8 for help.
When Should You Contact a Crisis Lifeline?
If you feel overwhelmed, need emotional support, or want help finding local resources, you should contact a crisis lifeline.
Crisis lines like 9-8-8 provide emotional and practical support to anyone struggling with mental health issues. You do not need to be experiencing a mental health crisis to call. The resource is available to anyone who needs someone to talk to about their thoughts, feelings, or concerns related to mental health and emotional wellness.
What Should You Do in a Mental Health Emergency?
If someone is a danger to themselves or others during a mental health emergency, contact 9-1-1.
Crisis lines, including 9-8-8, provide immediate emotional support and information on local emergency mental health services. Many cities also have crisis teams for managing mental health emergencies. You can contact your local police office or hospital, or call 9-8-8, to get information about crisis management resources in your area.
FAQs
Yes, clinicians can successfully treat some forms of depression using talk therapy and other alternatives to prescription medications.
Some people with severe or persistent symptoms may benefit from medication to help them stabilize their mood. However, not everyone needs medication to overcome depressive depression.
Major depressive episodes last a minimum of 2 weeks, with most people experiencing episodes for between 3 and 6 months.
Untreated depressive episodes can last for over a year and significantly lower quality of life. People diagnosed with conditions like dysthymia may experience depressive episodes lasting several years.
Early intervention and clinical treatments, including psychotherapy and prescription medications, minimize symptoms and reduce the risk of long-term depressive episodes.
Do not tell someone with depression to “get over it” or accuse them of feigning depression for attention.
The language you use to discuss mental illness and other health problems will impact whether someone decides to get treatment, the effectiveness of treatment, and their self-esteem. Validating a person’s experience with mental health conditions provides support, encouragement, and motivation to seek treatment from a mental health professional.
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a mood disorder experienced in the first year after a person gives birth that causes severe sadness, anxiety, exhaustion, and difficulty creating a bond with the baby.
PPD is a serious mood disorder that can affect a person’s ability to function. Most people require some form of professional treatment to successfully address symptoms and side effects.