Healthy Living/Be Good to Yourself: Depression

Depression is a mood disorder that is also known as Major Depressive Disorder or Clinical Depression. Because depression is comprised of a persistent feeling of sadness and a loss of interest in activities it is more than feeling sad for a couple days (Mayo, 2020). The symptoms of depression can affect and individual's feelings, thoughts, and daily activities (NIH, 2020).

The symptoms of depression can fluctuate in severity. An individual can have episodes of symptoms. The episodes last at least two weeks but can last for months or years (MNT, 2020). Symptoms of depression include:

Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, worthlessness.
Feelings of irritability or angry outbursts.
Loss of interest in activities.
Decreased energy or fatigue.
Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions.
Sleep disturbances such as difficulty sleeping, early morning awakening, oversleeping.
Appetite and/or weight changes (increased or decreased).
Aches or pains not explained by other conditions.
Increase in purposeless physical activity (pacing back and forth, etc).
Slowed movements and speech.
Suicidal ideations or suicide attempts (Mayo Clinic, 2020)(APA, 2017)(NIH, 2018).

About 6.7% of adults are affected by depression in any given year and 16.6% of people experience depression during their lifetime. (APA, 2017). Also in any given year, 16.1 million people in the United States are affected by depression (MNT, 2020). Women are about twice as likely to experience depression than men and about one third of women experience an episode of depression in their lifetime (APA, 2017)(MNT, 2020).

Risk factors of depression include:

Genetics
Brain chemistry
Environmental factors
Psychological and social factors
Hormones
Personality
Acute stress
Lack of coping strategies
Some medications
Recreational drugs
Head injury
Chronic condition
Persistent pain (MNT, 2020)(APA, 2017)(Mayo Clinic, 2020).

Depression is most often first seen in adulthood, although depression can occur at all ages. In adults, depression can occur along with other medical conditions. Medications for these conditions may impact depression (NIH, 2018).

In order to diagnose depression, several things should be done including:

Physical exam
Lab tests
Psychiatric evaluation

The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale
The Beck Depression Inventory

Use of DSM-V (Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition) (MNT, 2020)

According to the DSM-V, five or more symptoms must be present during a two week period, as well as be a change in prior functioning with one of the symptoms being either a depressed mood or loss of interest in activities or pleasure (FMHI, 2018).

Treatments for depression include:

Support
Psychotherapy
Medications

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)
Tricyclic antidepressants
Atypical antidepressants
Selective Serotonin & Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SSNRIs)

Electroconvulsive therapy
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (MNT, 2020)(APA, 2017)(Mayo Clinic, 2020)-.

There are forms of depression that are somewhat different from Major Depressive Disorder.

Persistent Depressive Disorder: also known as Dysthemia and is less severe and more chronic as it lasts for at least two years.
Postpartum Depression: occurs during pregnancy or after childbirth.
Psychotic Depression: consist of severe depression and a form of psychosis (delusions or hallucinations).
Major Depressive Disorder with Seasonal Pattern: onset is during winter months with less natural sunlight.
Bipolar Depression: Depression fluctuates with mania (extreme high euphoria).
Cyclothymic Disorder: involves symptoms that are milder than Bipolar Depression.

If you are experiencing depression, find support and seek medical attention. If you are considering suicide, find support, seek medical attention or contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.