An overview of Depression

Depression is a medical condition that affects your mood and ability to function. It may also be described as feelings of sadness, loss, or anger that interfere with a person’s everyday activities

Though depression and grief share some features, depression is different from grief felt after losing a loved one or sadness felt after a traumatic life event. Depression usually involves self-loathing or a loss of self-esteem, while grief typically does not.

Healthcare providers name depression types according to symptoms and causes. These episodes often have no obvious cause. In some people, they can linger much longer than in others for no clear reason.

Types of depression include:

Major depressive disorder (MDD): Major depression (clinical depression) has intense or overwhelming symptoms that last longer than two weeks. These symptoms interfere with everyday life.

Bipolar depression: People with bipolar disorder have alternating periods of low mood and extremely high-energy (manic) periods. During the low period, they may have depression symptoms such as feeling sad or hopeless or lacking energy.

Perinatal and postpartum depression: “Perinatal” means around birth. Many people refer to this type as postpartum depression. Perinatal depression can occur during pregnancy and up to one year after having a baby. Symptoms go beyond “the baby blues,” which causes minor sadness, worry or stress.

Persistent depressive disorder (PDD): PDD is also known as dysthymia. Symptoms of PDD are less severe than major depression. But people experience PDD symptoms for two years or longer.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD): Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a severe form of premenstrual disorder (PMS). It affects women in the days or weeks leading up to their menstrual period.

Psychotic depression: People with psychotic depression have severe depressive symptoms and delusions or hallucinations. Delusions are beliefs in things that are not based in reality, while hallucinations involve seeing, hearing, or feeling touched by things that aren’t actually there.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): Seasonal depression, or seasonal affective disorder, usually starts in late fall and early winter. It often goes away during the spring and summer.

There are several possible causes of depression. They can range from biological to circumstantial. Common causes include:

1. Brain chemistry : There may be a chemical imbalance in parts of the brain that manage mood, thoughts, sleep, appetite, and behavior in people who have depression.

2. Hormone levels : Changes in female hormones estrogen and progesterone during different periods of time like during the menstrual cycle, postpartum period, perimenopause, or menopause may all raise a person’s risk for depression.

3 .Pain : People who feel emotional or chronic physical pain for long periods of time are significantly more likelyTrusted Source to develop depression.

4. Substance use : A history of substance or alcohol misuse can affect your risk.

5. Family history : You’re at a higher risk for developing depression if you have a family history of depression or another mood disorder.

6. Early childhood trauma : Some events affect the way your body reacts to fear and stressful situations.

7. Brain structure : There’s a greater risk for depression if the frontal lobe of your brain is less active. However, scientists don’t know if this happens before or after the onset of depressive symptoms.

8. Medical conditions : Certain conditions mayTrusted Source put you at higher risk, such as chronic illness, insomnia, chronic pain, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, heart attack, and cancer.

Although depression may occur only once during your life, people typically have multiple episodes. During these episodes, symptoms occur most of the day, nearly every day and may include:

1. Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness

2. Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches

3. Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide

4. Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things

5. Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or self-blame

6. Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements

7. Anxiety, agitation or restlessness

8. Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain

9. Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort

10. Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much

11. Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports

12. Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters

You can help prevent depression by getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet and practicing regular self-care activities such as exercise, meditation and yoga.

If you’ve had depression before, you may be more likely to experience it again. If you have depression symptoms, get help. Care can help you feel better sooner.

Reach out to family and friends, especially in times of crisis, to help you weather rough spells.

Everyone may feel sad or down from time to time. However, clinical depression has more intense symptoms that last two weeks or longer.

To determine whether you have clinical depression, your healthcare provider will ask questions. You may complete a questionnaire and provide a family history. Your healthcare provider may also perform an exam or order lab tests to see if you have another medical condition.

Depression can be serious, but it’s also treatable. Treatment for depression includes:

Self-help: Regular exercise, getting enough sleep, and spending time with people you care about can improve depression symptoms.

Counseling: Counseling or psychotherapy is talking with a mental health professional. Your counselor helps you address your problems and develop coping skills. Sometimes brief therapy is all you need. Other people continue therapy longer.

Alternative medicine: People with mild depression or ongoing symptoms can improve their well-being with complementary therapy. Therapy may include massage, acupuncture, hypnosis and biofeedback.

Medication: Prescription medicine called antidepressants can help change brain chemistry that causes depression. Antidepressants can take a few weeks to have an effect. Some antidepressants have side effects, which often improve with time. If they don’t, talk to your provider. A different medications may work better for you.

Brain stimulation therapy: Brain stimulation therapy can help people who have severe depression or depression with psychosis. Types of brain stimulation therapy include electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS).

Depression is a serious disorder that can take a terrible toll on you and your family. Depression often gets worse if it isn't treated, resulting in emotional, behavioral and health problems that affect every area of your life.

Examples of complications associated with depression include:

1. Excess weight or obesity, which can lead to heart disease and diabetes.

2. Pain or physical illness.

3. Alcohol or drug misuse.

4. Anxiety, panic disorder or social phobia.

5. Family conflicts, relationship difficulties, and work or school problems.

6. Social isolation.

7. Suicidal feelings, suicide attempts or suicide

8. Suicidal feelings, suicide attempts or suicide

9. Premature death from medical conditions

Depression can be mild or severe. And it can be brief or long-lasting. It’s important to get help right away.

Without treatment, depression can:

1. Become worse.

2. Increase your chance of other health conditions, like dementia.

3. Lead to self-harm or death.

Return, even after you start to feel better.