DEPRESSION - DEFINITION, SIGNS, TREATMENT

The United States has a high rate of depression, especially among people over the age of 18. About 16.1 million American adults, or roughly 7%, are affected by depression in a given year. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to know if you or someone you love is suffering from this mental health condition. If you find yourself wondering “Do I have depression?” you might want to explore what the clinical definition of depression actually is and what some of the signs and symptoms are before making any decisions about treatment.

What is depression?

The most common form of depression is known as clinical depression. This condition affects how a person feels, acts, and thinks. With this type of mood disorder, people may experience feelings of sadness or low mood for a period of two weeks or more. In order to be diagnosed with depression, someone must experience symptoms for at least two weeks. However, the prolonged period of time that depressive symptoms last is what separates it from feelings similar to sadness or grief that occur in response to events in our lives- these are called transient mild forms (Tmf).

Grieving people generally maintain their sense of self-esteem, while people with depression may struggle with feelings of worthlessness, guilt, and self-hatred. It is possible for grief and depression to occur simultaneously; however, what causes postpartum depression can also start as something that caused grieving first.

Signs and symptoms of depression

Depression has both physical and emotional symptoms that are caused by the condition. Often, a person’s ability to work at their jobs or at home can be affected by depression. In fact, depression is the leading cause of disability in the United States for individuals aged 15 through 44, and even one depressive episode can carry with it compounding effects. Symptoms of depression vary from person to person and can range from mild to severe.

Symptoms of depression include:

• feeling sad or appearing in a depressed mood
• changes in appetite, including overeating or undereating
• weight loss or weight gain unrelated to dieting
• increased fatigue and loss of energy
• feelings of worthlessness or guilt 
• thoughts of death or suicide

What are the risk factors for depression?

When you think of depression, what comes to mind? That it can impact people of any age, race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation- and it often touches people of all socioeconomic levels. However, there are several factors that put people at increased risk of experiencing depression. These include:

• Genetics: Depression often runs in families and is influenced by genetics. If one identical twin is diagnosed with depression, the other twin has a 70 percent chance of being diagnosed with the illness at some point in their lives as well.
• Biochemistry: Some people have differences in the levels of chemicals in their brains that contribute to depression. These people often require medication to sufficiently treat their Depression 
• Environmental factors: People who experience continuous exposure to poverty, neglect, abuse or violence are at a higher risk of experiencing depression.

What treatment options are available for depression?

If you think you may be experiencing depression, don’t be discouraged. Depression is highly treatable, and between 80 and 90 percent of people diagnosed with depression eventually find a form of treatment that works well for them. Nearly everyone who seeks treatment for their depression finds some relief from their symptoms.

Medication

Antidepressant medication is the most popular type of treatment for depression. It is used to treat a variety of issues, such as:

• Depression
• Anguish and sadness
• Anxiety disorders
• Bipolar disorder

There are four main types of antidepressant medication- SSRIs, SNRs, TCAs, and MAOIs. The type of medication you take will depend on several factors which you'll be able to determine with your health care provider.

It is common for patients to try several different medications before finding the one that works best for them and which has tolerable side effects. Only about 30 percent of people who take antidepressant medication will experience full remission during their first course of treatment, so don’t get discouraged if you’re not back to 100 percent right away. It’s likely that you will need to try several different doses and types of medication before finding the drug that works best for you. Some people experience more relief when taking more than one type of antidepressant medication, as well.

Psychotherapy

If you've never seen a therapist before, it might be helpful to talk about your depression with one. Psychotherapy, which is sometimes called “talk therapy” or just “therapy,” is a behavioral health treatment in which the patient discusses their feelings, thoughts, and issues with a psychological counselor. The counselor may work with the patient to deal with childhood trauma (such as sexual abuse), work through feelings of worthlessness and self-doubt, and develop coping mechanisms for how to fight their depression.

CBT, interpersonal therapy, and psychodynamic therapy are all types of psychological therapies that can help patients in the treatment of depression. Cognitive-behavioral therapy provides a step-by-step plan for the patient to follow in order to see improvement. If a person’s depression is influenced by certain fears or anxieties that they may have, these treatments can also involve strategies designed to get the patient to conquer their fears.

Other treatment

Depression often responds well to treatment with medication and psychotherapy, but it also helps to add other lifestyle changes as part of your overall depression treatment plan. When used in combination with medication and talk therapy, lifestyle changes can play a major role in helping you beat depression. Other types of treatment that may be helpful include:

• Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet that contains lean sources of protein, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; getting your recommended amount of vitamins and minerals; having vitamin deficiencies linked to an increased risk for depression.
• Reading self-help books or listening to self-help podcasts can help you identify and understand warning signs of depression.
• Exercise regularly, which helps to release endorphins and create a positive mood, reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
• Find support groups for people with depression who understand your struggles and can also offer helpful advice about getting treatment.
• Speak with friends and family members about how Depression affects your life as well as ask them for their support.
• Getting enough sleep, feeling well-rested will help improve your mood.
• Avoid alcohol!

In Conclusion

YANA is a world-class mental health clinic that has partnered with expert doctors to provide an accessible, affordable, easy-to-use means of getting you the personalized treatment plan you need to improve your mental wellness and help you get back to doing the things you love. With consultations and visits right from your home, YANA gets the attention it deserves. Get started today with YANA and discover how easy it is to get the help you’ve been looking for.