What is Depression?

Overview

Depression is a complex mental health condition with symptoms like low mood, fatigue, guilt, irritability, and loss of interest or pleasure in activities. It is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest and is one of the most common mental health illnesses.

It is distinct from grief and other emotions.

Types of Depression

There are several forms of depression. Below are some of the most common types.

Major Depression

A person with major depression experiences a constant state of sadness and may lose interest in activities they used to enjoy. The individual feels depressed most of the time for several days of the week. Some usual symptoms that people with major depression experience are weight loss, weight gain, trouble sleeping, loss of interest, feeling restless, sluggish, and others.

Persistent Depressive Disorder

Also known as dysthymia, persistent depressive disorder causes symptoms that last for at least 2 years. A person with this disorder may have episodes of major depression as well as milder symptoms that do not meet the criteria for major depressive disorder. Usually, low self-esteem, changes in appetite, and lack of energy are common symptoms.

Bipolar Disorder

It is also referred to as manic depression in which the mood swings experienced might vary depending on intensity as well as the individual. Usually the mood varies between high energy and low energy and medications are prescribed to manage these mood changes.

Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that comes and goes in a seasonal pattern. SAD is sometimes known as "winter depression" because the symptoms are usually more apparent and more severe during the winter. Some people with SAD may have symptoms during the summer and feel better during the winter.

Psychotic Depression

Also known as depressive psychosis, it is a major depressive episode that is accompanied by psychotic symptoms. It can occur in the context of bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder. Psychotic depression is usually associated with delusions, hallucinations, and paranoia. A combination of drugs is usually given to treat this type of depression.

Peripartum Depression

Women who have just given birth usually experience this type of depression for a certain period of time after childbirth. In such cases, medication may be helpful depending on the intensity of depression.

Causes of Depression

There are many possible causes, and sometimes, various factors combine to trigger symptoms. Factors that are likely to play role include:

• Medical conditions
• Drug use
• Family history of mental illness
• Brain structure
• Early childhood trauma
• Stressful events

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

There are several symptoms that can be indicative of depression. They broadly vary between men, women, and children. Let us have a look at them.

Depression Symptoms For Men

• Emotional - feeling empty, sad, hopeless
• Mood - aggressiveness, anger, anxiousness, restlessness
• Sleep - reduced sleep, poor quality of sleep, insomnia, restless sleep, excessive sleepiness
• Physical - fatigue, pain, digestive problems, headache

Depression Symptoms For Women

• Mood - irritability
• Physical - fatigue, weight changes, headaches, increased cramps, changes in appetite
• Sleep - difficulty sleeping, sleeping too much, waking up early
• Emotional - anxiousness, hopelessness, feeling sad

Depression Symptoms For Children

• Mood - anger, mood swings, irritability, crying
• Sleep - sleeping too much, not sleeping at all
• Emotional - despair, crying, intense sadness
• Physical - loss of energy, digestive trouble, weight loss or weight gain
• Cognitive - difficulty concentrating, changes in grades, declined performance at school

If you experience any of these symptoms for a period of several weeks, it might be time to seek help

Treatment for Depression

Treatment for depression should start with seeing your doctor to discuss symptoms experienced and treatment options available. During this session the doctor may ask you to fill out a screening questionnaire or conduct some tests to rule out other conditions. Your doctor may refer you to a psychologist, social worker, counsellor or psychiatrist, if required.

Different types of depression require different treatment. For moderate to more severe depression, medical treatments are likely to be required, in combination with other treatments options. On contrary, mild symptoms may be relieved by:

• Learning about the condition
• Incorporating certain lifestyle changes (such as regular physical exercise)
• Practicing psychological therapy provided by a mental health professional

There are even psychological treatments (also known as talking therapies) available for depression which has been found to be an effective way to treat depression. These therapies can help to change your thinking patterns and also improve your coping skills so that you're better equipped to deal with life's stresses.

There are several different types of psychological treatments available which includes:

• Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)
• Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
• Behaviour therapy
• Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)

CBT is one of the most commonly used psychological therapies.

In cases of moderate to severe episodes of depression, antidepressant medication may be prescribed along with psychological treatments. For people with more severe forms of depression (bipolar disorder and psychosis), they generally need to be treated with medication which may include one or a combination of mood stabilisers, antipsychotic drugs and antidepressants.

Risk factors for Depression

Several factors can make depression more likely. These may include:

• Family history and Genetics - Genetics are known to play a significant role in depression. If your close family member, such as a parent or sibling is suffering with depression, you are at 2-3 times greater risk of developing depression than a person without a family history.
• Chronic Stress – While little stress can be good, long-term stress can result in overactivity of brain which results in release of epinephrine & cortisol, the body’s stress hormone.
• History of Trauma - Individuals with a history of trauma and abuse, particularly during their early childhood, may be at greater risk of developing depression. These people are more likely to experience treatment-resistant depression in adulthood.
• Gender - Women are twice as likely as men to experience depression in their lifetime. Female hormones, such as estrogen, may also play a role.
• Poor Nutrition – When the body doesn’t get the necessary nutrients required, we’re at greater risk of developing physical and mental health problems. Also, as per studies eating a lot of processed foods may also increase the risk of depression.
• Unresolved Grief or Loss – Grieving the loss of loved one is a natural human reaction which should decrease over time. In some cases healing becomes more difficult and this unresolved grief can lead to depression.
• Personality Traits – Certain personality traits can make a person more susceptible to developing depression. These traits include feeling of vulnerability or insecurity, getting stressed easily, being an introvert, experiencing mood swings etc.
• Medication and Substance Use – In some cases people consume substances and alcohol to feel better, but sometimes these can have a reverse effect. Similarly, there are certain prescribed medications can also lead to depressive symptoms. This is known as substance-induced depression.

Key Facts of Depression

• Depression is a common mental disorder. Globally, it is estimated that 5% of adults suffer from depression.
• Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide and is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease.
• More women are affected by depression than men.
• Depression can lead to suicide.
• There is effective treatment for mild, moderate, and severe depression.

Conclusion

People with depression can find it difficult to take the first step in seeking support. But they must seek help with the support of family members, friends or a health professional. There is no one way in which a person can recover from depression. But fortunately, there are a range of treatments, health professionals and services available to help deal with depression. There are also things that people with depression can do on their own to help themselves.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How is depression diagnosed?

Usually, a medical professional or a therapist asks a series of questions about your mood, sleep pattern, activity level, appetite, thoughts, and others to identify depression.

2. Is depression age-related?

Not necessarily. Depression depends on factors such as past events, family history of mental illness, exposure to stressful events, etc.

3. Can a lack of sleep cause depression?

Lack of sleep can be a symptom rather than a cause of depression. If you have been experiencing a lack of sleep for a while, it is best to consult with a medical professional.

4. Can children get depression?

Yes, it is possible for children to develop depression. However, there are several treatments curated for children to manage the symptoms and the overall condition effectively.