What Is Depression?

Depression is a depressing subject, so let me start with a joke. “My therapist told me the way to achieve inner peace is to finish what I start. So far today I’ve finished two bags of chips and a chocolate cake.” If you’re suffering from depression, maybe you can relate. These are things that people do to mask the symptoms of depression, but the underlying problem remains. If you’re struggling with depression, it’s important to understand what it is, what causes it, how it affects you, and how to treat it. Let's talk about what depression is.

What Is Depression?

A common misunderstand of depression is that it is the same as being sad. Everyone has days when they feel down and blue, but sadness is not depression. Depression is an emotional disorder that impacts how you think, feel, and act for long periods of time. It makes you feel disconnected and disinterested in things and people that you love. It keeps you from functioning normally.

Depression is a human condition that goes back thousands of years. In the Bible, in 1 Kings 19, there is an account of the prophet Elijah suffering from what we would call clinical depression. Ancient Romans and Greeks called it “melancholia” and believed it was an imbalance in body fluids that they called “bad humours.” In the Middle Ages, they blamed it on witches and devils, and treated it with exorcism, burning, and dousing. In the 18th and 19th centuries, people with depression were isolated and shunned. Aren’t you glad you didn’t live back then? Today, we know better what depression is and how to treat it.

Types of Depression

“Depression” is a general term for what is actually many types of depression. Some of them are:

· Clinical depression.

This means a doctor has diagnosed you with mild, moderate, or severe depression symptoms.

· Chronic depression.

This is also called persistent depressive disorder, or dysthymia. It is a continuous, long-term form of depression.

· Reactive depression.

This is depressive episodes triggered by difficult life events like death or a loved one.

· Bipolar disorder.

This used to be called manic depression. It is a condition in which people swing from extreme elation to periods of depression.

· Prenatal or postnatal depression.

This is depression before or after the birth of a child.

· Seasonal affective disorder.

This is also called “S.A.D.” It is depression during certain seasons of the year, particularly winter.

· Psychotic depression.

This is depression so severe that it causes hallucinations or delusions.

Depression And Anxiety

The two most common mental health conditions in the U.S. are depression and anxiety. They are related and sometimes identified as “co-morbidities.” That is, they often occur together, one triggering the other. Some of the symptoms are the same such as sleep problems, concentration, and fatigue.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, or 18.1% of the population every year. Depression is the second most common mental health condition in the U.S., affecting more than 16 million adults, or 6.7% of the population. If you are struggling with depression or anxiety, you are far from alone.

Contributing Factors to Depression

There is no one cause of depression, but some of the factors that can contribute to depression are:

· The brain.

Our mood and emotions are regulated by our brain’s distribution of various chemical and by nerve connections. When there is a chemical imbalance or problem in a nerve connection, the result can be alterations in mood and functioning.

· Neurotransmitters.

These are the chemicals produced by the brain that help our nerve cells communicate. An imbalance of serotonin, dopamine, and other chemicals can cause depression.

· Genes.

We know that depression and bipolar disorder tend to run in families. People who are genetically vulnerable to depression may be more likely to experience stress and low mood.

· Life events.

Stressful events trigger chemical reactions that can result in anxiety and depression.

· Medical issues.

Medical problems from vitamin B12 deficiency to cancer can cause depression.

· Medications.

Certain drugs, such as steroids and blood pressure medications, can have depression as a side-effect.

Signs of Depression

There are usually physical and mental signs of depression, such as:

Physical Signs of Depression

• Fatigue

• Sleep problems

• Changes in weight and appetite

• Slowing down in speech or movement

• Aches and pains

• Reduced sex drive

• Changes in menstrual cycle

Mental Signs of Depression

• Low mood/sadness with no apparent reason

• Feelings of hopelessness

• Low self-esteem, worthlessness, self-criticism

• Feeling weepy, guilty, or irritable

• Loss of motivation or interest

• Difficulty making decisions, concentrating, remembering things

• Anxiety, feelings of dread and panic, racing thoughts

• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

If you think that you are someone you love is struggling with depression, it’s not something you or they can just “snap out of” or fix with willpower. You or they should visit a doctor who may prescribe medication and talk therapy. This is the usual and best treatment for depression. We don’t prescribe medication, but we are good at talk therapy and can help you. I urge you to read about depression therapy, and then reach out to us for a free thirty-minute consultation.