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Sadness, discouragement, dejection, pessimism, and hopelessness are feelings that all of us feel at different points in our lives. But sometimes, these emotions occur far too often or for long periods of time. If that’s the case, you may be suffering from a common but serious mood disorder – depression.
Talk to a specialist from the comfort of home.
Sadness, discouragement, dejection, pessimism, and hopelessness are feelings that all of us feel at different points in our lives. But sometimes, these emotions occur far too often or for long periods of time. If that’s the case, you may be suffering from a common but serious mood disorder – depression.
What is Bipolar Depression?
Depression, also known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression is a mood disorder that is defined by a loss of interest, feeling sad or down over a period of at least two weeks. Depression is one of the most common mood disorder but it’s also a very serious illness as it can lead to anger, feelings of worthlessness, and even suicidal thoughts.
Due to its symptoms, depression can be hard to diagnose and differentiate from usual sadness that or stress that is a product of a situation. That’s why many people mistake depression for just sadness, especially when the person in question is going through rough times such as loss of a loved one. If severe sadness, lack of energy and interests persists for two weeks or more, you could be suffering from a form of depression.
Although there are many treatments available for depression, many people fail to get diagnosed and consequently, do not get adequate treatment in time. Depression can also influence other health conditions and make them worse. Some conditions that can be affected by depression include cancer, heart conditions, asthma, and obesity.
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Prevalence of Depression
Major depressive disorder is the most common mood disorder and occurs with an alarming frequency globally. Studies show that the occurrence of depression has been on a steady rise in recent decades. According to National Comorbidity Survey-Replication (NCS-R), lifetime prevalence rates of depression to be at 17 percent, a 10 percent increase from the previous 7 percent rate.
Multiple studies have also found that the rates for major depressive disorders have always been higher for women than for men (usually about 2:1). A similar trend is also seen with most anxiety disorders. Yet, the prevalence rates among boys are said to be equal or slightly higher than in girls.
According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) depression affects over 15.7 million adults in the United States alone. That means 6.7 percent of the entire American population suffers from at least one depressive episode every year. To put that into perspective, 1 in every 15 Americans aged 18 and over suffer depression every year. Depression also affects 2.8 million adolescents every year, which means 1 in every 9 children aged between 12-17 suffers from at least 1 depressive episode.
Causes
While the causes of depression are not fully understood yet, most scientists agree that there is no single cause of depression. Usually, the cause of depression is a combination of genetic, neurochemical, and circumstantial influences.
Genetic Influences
Family studies conducted in the past conclude that there is a clear link between genetics and depression. Multiple studies have found that the prevalence of depression is two to three times higher among people with blood relatives who have been diagnosed with clinical depression. Twin suggests that when one twin has clinical depression, there is a 31 to 42 percent chance that the other one will too (up to 80 percent in severe cases).
Neurochemical Influences
Different neurotransmitters exist in the brain in a delicate balance to regulate and mediate the brain’s activity. It has been found that therapies and medication used to treat depression affect the brain’s neurotransmitter levels. Two substances in particular: norepinephrine and serotonin. Research shows that a decrease in the availability of these neurotransmitters can cause depressive symptoms. Other studies show that dopamine dysfunction (especially reduced dopaminergic activity) can lead to certain types of depression like atypical and even bipolar disorder.
Neurophysiological factors can also lead to depressive symptoms in patients. For instance, a stroke can damage the left anterior prefrontal cortex which is said to be a cause of depression.
Circumstantial Influences
Stressful life events have been noticed to accelerate the onset of depression. Most of these events are usually related to loss of a loved one, threats to important relationships, work-related stress, or severe health or economic problems. Also, the stress-depression relationships is stronger in women than in men, which means women are more likely to be depressed due to stressful events.
Childhood abuse, drug usage, and chronic health conditions can also lead to depression. The National Alliance on Mental Alliance states that approximately 30 percent of people suffering from substance abuse problems also have depression.”
Diagnosis
The fifth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders states the following as the criteria for depression:
1. Five (or more) of the following symptoms have been present during the same 2-week period and represent a change from previous functioning; at least one of the symptoms is either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure.
2. The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
3. The episode is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance or another medical condition
4. There has never been a manic episode or a hypomanic episode
5. The occurrence of the major depressive episode is not better explained by schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, delusional disorder, or other specified and unspecified schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders.
A visit to a doctor may be helpful in ruling out any other disorders by a physical evaluation or a blood test. The doctor could also ask a series of questions about your medical/mental history, sleep habits, any stressful events, etc. to determine whether or not you have clinical depression.
Forms of Depression
Depending on your symptoms and how they arise, depression can be classified into the following forms:
Major Depression
Major Depressive Disorder is a severe form of depression where unpleasant feelings persist for up to two weeks and generally do not go away without proper medication or therapy. The criteria stated in the DSM-5 mentioned above is for major depression.
Persistent Depressive Disorder
Formerly known as dysthymia, persistent depressive disorder or dysthymic disorder is defined by the usual symptoms of major depression. Though the symptoms are milder in nature. the unpleasant feelings can linger a lot longer. In order to be diagnosed with PDD, a person must feel depressed for most of the day for at least 2 years (1 year in children and teenagers).
Seasonal Affective Disorder
In this form of depression, a person suffers from depression in seasonal patterns. National Institute of Mental Health states that it “typically starting in the late fall and early winter and going away during the spring and summer.” SAD can also begin with summer or spring but it’s not as common.
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression (also known as postnatal depression) occurs after childbirth when a new mother suffers from the following symptoms: changeable mood, crying easily, sadness, and irritability intermixed with happy feelings. This form of depression is quite common new mothers and occurs in 50 to 70 percent women within 10 days of childbirth and subsides on its own.
Situational Depression
Situational depression is a form of stress-related depression that is induced by traumatic events. It’s also known as adjustment disorder or reactive depression, in that, people have trouble adjusting to daily life after a traumatic event. Symptoms include not being able to focus at work or school, not thinking clearly, crying, losing weight, etc.
Atypical Depression
Atypical depression is a specifier that can be applied to major depression. It is defined by the presence of mood reactivity. Mood reactivity causes the person to react positively to positive events during depression. For instance, if a person suffering from atypical depressions receives good news, unpleasant feelings will subsite and their mood will improve.
Treatment
No matter which form of depression you have or how severe it is, it can be treated. There are numerous methods available for treating depression. Usually, a combination of these methods will be prescribed by your doctor.
Medication
Pharmacotherapy for depression almost always involves the use of antidepressants. There are different categories of medications that target different neurotransmitters of the brain. One such category is monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) that suppress symptoms of depression by inhibiting the action of monoamine oxidase—the enzyme responsible for the breakdown of norepinephrine and serotonin once released.
Antidepressants usually take time to work – from a few weeks to months. During this period, patients (especially young children) may see an “increase in suicidal thoughts or actions”. This is why the first few months of treatment usually involves therapy.
Theraphy
Psychotherapy or talking therapy is the most common form of therapy used to treat depression. Often times, physiatrists will prescribe only a few sessions of psychotherapy before prescribing medications. When medications and psychotherapy do not deliver positive and significant results, other forms of therapy can be used such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) which can help with patients that are suicidal or severely depressed.
When patients do not respond to medication, psychotherapy, and ECT, another form of therapy is used – deep brain stimulation. In this therapy, an electrode is implanted in the brain and used it to stimulate a part of the brain with electric current.
Lifestyle Changes
If you’re suffering from any form of depression, the doctor will most likely ask to you change some of your habits. This may include spending more time with friends and family, getting enough sleep, exercising, scheduling daily activities and eating healthy. This form of treatment is also known as behavioral activation treatment and focuses on promoting positive reinforcement and preventing withdrawal.
https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions/Depression
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/InformationbyDrugClass/UCM096273
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