Depression: What It Is, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and More

In order to be diagnosed with clinical depression, you must experience five or more of the following symptoms over a 2-week period: feeling depressed most of ... HealthlineHealthConditionsDiscoverPlanConnectSubscribeMentalHealthCopingwithLonelinessMentalHealthinFocusFindaTherapistNewsletterEverythingYouNeedtoKnowAboutDepression(MajorDepressiveDisorder)MedicallyreviewedbyVaraSaripalli,Psy.D.—WrittenbyValenciaHiguera—UpdatedonNovember1,2021SymptomsCausesTreatmentNaturalremediesandlifestyletipsTestTypesAndanxietyAndOCDWithpsychosisPregnancyAndalcoholPreventionOutlookWhatisdepression?Depressionisclassifiedasamooddisorder.Itmaybedescribedasfeelingsofsadness,loss,orangerthatinterferewithaperson’severydayactivities.It’salsofairlycommon.DatafromtheCentersforDiseaseControlandPreventionestimatesthat18.5percentofAmericanadultshadsymptomsofdepressioninanygiven2-weekperiodin2019.Thoughdepressionandgriefsharesomefeatures,depressionisdifferentfromgrieffeltafterlosingalovedoneorsadnessfeltafteratraumaticlifeevent.Depressionusuallyinvolvesself-loathingoralossofself-esteem,whilegrieftypicallydoesnot.Ingrief,positiveemotionsandhappymemoriesofthedeceasedtypicallyaccompanyfeelingsofemotionalpain.Inmajordepressivedisorder,thefeelingsofsadnessareconstant.Peopleexperiencedepressionindifferentways.Itmayinterferewithyourdailywork,resultinginlosttimeandlowerproductivity.Itcanalsoinfluencerelationshipsandsomechronichealthconditions.Conditionsthatcangetworseduetodepressioninclude:arthritisasthmacardiovasculardiseasecancerdiabetesobesityIt’simportanttorealizethatfeelingdownattimesisanormalpartoflife.Sadandupsettingeventshappentoeveryone.Butifyou’refeelingdownorhopelessonaregularbasis,youcouldbedealingwithdepression.Depressionisconsideredaseriousmedicalconditionthatcangetworsewithoutpropertreatment.DepressionsymptomsDepressioncanbemorethanaconstantstateofsadnessorfeeling“blue.”Majordepressioncancauseavarietyofsymptoms.Someaffectyourmoodandothersaffectyourbody.Symptomsmayalsobeongoingorcomeandgo.GeneralsignsandsymptomsNoteveryonewithdepressionwillexperiencethesamesymptoms.Symptomscanvaryinseverity,howoftentheyhappen,andhowlongtheylast.Ifyouexperiencesomeofthefollowingsignsandsymptomsofdepressionnearlyeverydayforatleast2weeks,youmaybelivingwithdepression:feelingsad,anxious,or“empty”feelinghopeless,worthless,andpessimisticcryingalotfeelingbothered,annoyed,orangrylossofinterestinhobbiesandinterestsyouonceenjoyeddecreasedenergyorfatiguedifficultyconcentrating,remembering,ormakingdecisionsmovingortalkingmoreslowlydifficultysleeping,earlymorningawakening,oroversleepingappetiteorweightchangeschronicphysicalpainwithnoclearcausethatdoesnotgetbetterwithtreatment(headaches,achesorpains,digestiveproblems,cramps)thoughtsofdeath,suicide,self-harm,orsuicideattemptsThesymptomsofdepressioncanbeexperienceddifferentlyamongmales,females,teens,andchildren.Malesmayexperiencesymptomsrelatedtotheir:mood,suchasanger,aggressiveness,irritability,anxiousness,orrestlessnessemotionalwell-being,suchasfeelingempty,sad,orhopelessbehavior,suchaslossofinterest,nolongerfindingpleasureinfavoriteactivities,feelingtiredeasily,thoughtsofsuicide,drinkingexcessively,usingdrugs,orengaginginhigh-riskactivitiessexualinterest,suchasreducedsexualdesireorlackofsexualperformancecognitiveabilities,suchasinabilitytoconcentrate,difficultycompletingtasks,ordelayedresponsesduringconversationssleeppatterns,suchasinsomnia,restlesssleep,excessivesleepiness,ornotsleepingthroughthenightphysicalwell-being,suchasfatigue,pains,headache,ordigestiveproblemsFemalesmayexperiencesymptomsrelatedtotheir:mood,suchasirritabilityemotionalwell-being,suchasfeelingsadorempty,anxious,orhopelessbehavior,suchaslossofinterestinactivities,withdrawingfromsocialengagements,orthoughtsofsuicidecognitiveabilities,suchasthinkingortalkingmoreslowlysleeppatterns,suchasdifficultysleepingthroughthenight,wakingearly,orsleepingtoomuchphysicalwell-being,suchasdecreasedenergy,greaterfatigue,changesinappetite,weightchanges,aches,pain,headaches,orincreasedcrampsChildrenmayexperiencesymptomsrelatedtotheir:mood,suchasirritability,anger,rapidshiftsinmood,orcryingemotionalwell-being,suchasfeelingsofincompetence(e.g.,“Ican’tdoanythingright”)ordespair,crying,orintensesadnessbehavior,suchasgettingintotroubleatschoolorrefusingtogotoschool,avoidingfriendsorsiblings,thoughtsofdeathorsuicide,orself-harmcognitiveabilities,suchasdifficultyconcentrating,declineinschoolperformance,orchangesingradessleeppatterns,suchasdifficultysleepingorsleepingtoomuchphysicalwell-being,suchaslossofenergy,digestiveproblems,changesinappetite,orweightlossorgainDepressioncausesThereareseveralpossiblecausesofdepression.Theycanrangefrombiologicaltocircumstantial.Commoncausesinclude:Brainchemistry.Theremaybeachemicalimbalanceinpartsofthebrainthatmanagemood,thoughts,sleep,appetite,andbehaviorinpeoplewhohavedepression.Hormonelevels.Changesinfemalehormonesestrogenandprogesteroneduringdifferentperiodsoftimelikeduringthemenstrualcycle,postpartumperiod,perimenopause,ormenopausemayallraiseaperson’sriskfordepression.Familyhistory.You’reatahigherriskfordevelopingdepressionifyouhaveafamilyhistoryofdepressionoranothermooddisorder.Earlychildhoodtrauma.Someeventsaffectthewayyourbodyreactstofearandstressfulsituations.Brainstructure.There’sagreaterriskfordepressionifthefrontallobeofyourbrainislessactive.However,scientistsdon’tknowifthishappensbeforeoraftertheonsetofdepressivesymptoms.Medicalconditions.Certainconditionsmayputyouathigherrisk,suchaschronicillness,insomnia,chronicpain,Parkinson’sdisease,stroke,heartattack,andcancer.Substanceuse.Ahistoryofsubstanceoralcoholmisusecanaffectyourrisk.Pain.Peoplewhofeelemotionalorchronicphysicalpainforlongperiodsoftimearesignificantlymorelikelytodevelopdepression.RiskfactorsRiskfactorsfordepressioncanbebiochemical,medical,social,genetic,orcircumstantial.Commonriskfactorsinclude:Sex.Theprevalenceofmajordepressionistwiceashighinfemalesasinmales.Genetics.Youhaveanincreasedriskofdepressionifyouhaveafamilyhistoryofit.Socioeconomicstatus.Socioeconomicstatus,includingfinancialproblemsandperceivedlowsocialstatus,canincreaseyourriskofdepression.Certainmedications.Certaindrugsincludingsometypesofhormonalbirthcontrol,corticosteroids,andbeta-blockersmaybeassociatedwithanincreasedriskofdepression.VitaminDdeficiency.StudieshavelinkeddepressivesymptomstolowlevelsofvitaminD.Genderidentity.Theriskofdepressionfortransgenderpeopleisnearly4-foldthatofcisgenderpeople,accordingtoa2018study.Substancemisuse.About21percentofpeoplewhohaveasubstanceusedisorderalsoexperiencedepression.Medicalillnesses.Depressionisassociatedwithotherchronicmedicalillnesses.Peoplewithheartdiseaseareabouttwiceaslikelytohavedepressionaspeoplewhodon’t,whileupto1in4peoplewithcancermayalsoexperiencedepression.Thecausesofdepressionareoftentiedtootherelementsofyourhealth.TreatmentfordepressionYoumaysuccessfullymanagesymptomswithoneformoftreatment,oryoumayfindthatacombinationoftreatmentsworksbest.It’scommontocombinemedicaltreatmentsandlifestyletherapies,includingthefollowing:MedicationsYourhealthcareprofessionalmayprescribe:Selectiveserotoninreuptakeinhibitors(SSRIs)SSRIsarethemostcommonlyprescribedantidepressantmedicationsandtendtohavefewsideeffects.Theytreatdepressionbyincreasingtheavailabilityoftheneurotransmitterserotonininyourbrain.SSRIsshouldnotbetakenwithcertaindrugsincludingmonoamineoxidaseinhibitors(MAOIs)andinsomecasesthioridazineorOrap(pimozide).PeoplewhoarepregnantshouldtalktotheirhealthcareprofessionalsabouttherisksoftakingSSRIsduringpregnancy.Youshouldalsousecautionifyouhavenarrow-angleglaucoma.ExamplesofSSRIsincludecitalopram(Celexa),escitalopram(Lexapro),fluvoxamine(Luvox),paroxetine(Paxil,PaxilXR,Pexeva),andsertraline(Zoloft).Serotoninandnorepinephrinereuptakeinhibitors(SNRIs)SNRIstreatdepressionbyincreasingtheamountoftheneurotransmittersserotoninandnorepinephrineinyourbrain.SNRIsshouldnotbetakenwithMAOIs.Youshouldusecautionifyouhaveliverorkidneyproblems,ornarrow-angleglaucoma.ExamplesofSNRIsincludedesvenlafaxine(Pristiq,Khedezla),duloxetine(Cymbalta,Irenka),levomilnacipran(Fetzima),milnacipran(Savella),andvenlafaxine(EffexorXR).TricyclicandtetracyclicantidepressantsTricyclicantidepressants(TCAs)andtetracyclicantidepressants(TECAs)treatdepressionbyincreasingtheamountoftheneurotransmittersserotoninandnorepinephrineinyourbrain.TCAscancausemoresideeffectsthanSSRIsorSNRIs.DonottakeTCAsorTECAswithMAOIs.Usewithcautionifyouhavenarrow-angleglaucoma.Examplesoftricyclicantidepressantsincludeamitriptyline(Elavil),doxepin(Sinequan),imipramine(Tofranil),trimipramine(Surmontil),desipramine(Norpramin),nortriptyline(Pamelor,Aventyl),andprotriptyline(Vivactil).AtypicalantidepressantsNoradrenalineanddopaminereuptakeinhibitors(NDRIs)Thesedrugscantreatdepressionbyincreasingthelevelsofdopamineandnoradrenalineinyourbrain.ExamplesofNDRIsincludebupropion(Wellbutrin).Monoamineoxidaseinhibitors(MAOIs)MAOIstreatdepressionbyincreasingthelevelsofnorepinephrine,serotonin,dopamine,andtyramineinyourbrain.Duetosideeffectsandsafetyconcerns,MAOIsarenotthefirstchoicefortreatingmentalhealthdisorders.Theyaretypicallyusedonlyifothermedicationsareunsuccessfulattreatingdepression.ExamplesofMAOIsincludeisocarboxazid(Marplan),phenelzine(Nardil),selegiline(Emsam),tranylcypromine(Parnate).N-methylD-aspartate(NMDA)antagonistsN-methyl-D-aspartate(NDMA)antagoniststreatdepressionbyincreasinglevelsofglutamateinthebrain.Glutamateisaneurotransmitterbelievedtobeinvolvedindepression.NMDAantagonistsareusedonlyinpatientswhohavenothadsuccesswithotherantidepressanttreatments.TheFDAhasapprovedoneNDMAmedication,esketamine(Spravato),forthetreatmentofdepression.EsketamineisanasalspraythatisonlyavailablethrougharestrictedprogramcalledSpravatoREMS.Patientsmayexperiencetirednessanddissociation(difficultywithattention,judgment,andthinking)aftertakingthemedication.Forthisreason,esketamineisadministeredinahealthcaresettingwhereahealthcareprofessionalcanmonitorforsedationanddissociation.Eachtypeofmedicationthat’susedtotreatdepressionhasbenefitsandpotentialrisks.PsychotherapySpeakingwithatherapistcanhelpyoulearnskillstocopewithnegativefeelings.Youmayalsobenefitfromfamilyorgrouptherapysessions.Psychotherapy,alsoknownas“talktherapy,”iswhenapersonspeakstoatrainedtherapisttoidentifyandlearntocopewiththefactorsthatcontributetotheirmentalhealthcondition,suchasdepression.Psychotherapyhasbeenshowntobeaneffectivetreatmentinimprovingsymptomsinpeoplewithdepressionandotherpsychiatricdisorders.Psychotherapyisoftenusedalongsidepharmaceuticaltreatment.Therearemanydifferenttypesofpsychotherapy,andsomepeoplerespondbettertoonetypethananother.Cognitivebehavioraltherapy(CBT)Incognitivebehavioraltherapy(CBT),atherapistwillworkwithyoutouncoverunhealthypatternsofthoughtandidentifyhowtheymaybecausingharmfulbehaviors,reactions,andbeliefsaboutyourself.Yourtherapistmightassignyou“homework”whereyoupracticereplacingnegativethoughtswithmorepositivethoughts.Dialecticalbehaviortherapy(DBT)Dialecticalbehaviortherapy(DBT)issimilartoCBT,butputsaspecificemphasisonvalidation,oracceptinguncomfortablethoughts,feelings,andbehaviors,insteadoffightingthem.Thetheoryisthatbycomingtotermswithyourharmfulthoughtsoremotions,youcanacceptthatchangeispossibleandmakearecoveryplan.PsychodynamictherapyPsychodynamictherapyisaformoftalktherapydesignedtohelpyoubetterunderstandandcopewithyourday-to-daylife.Psychodynamictherapyisbasedontheideathatyourpresent-dayrealityisshapedbyyourunconscious,childhoodexperiences.Inthisformoftherapy,yourtherapistwillhelpyoureflectandexamineyourchildhoodandexperiencestohelpyouunderstandandcopewithyourlife.LighttherapyExposuretodosesofwhitelightcanhelpregulateyourmoodandimprovesymptomsofdepression.Lighttherapyiscommonlyusedinseasonalaffectivedisorder,whichisnowcalledmajordepressivedisorderwithseasonalpattern.Electroconvulsivetherapy(ECT)Electroconvulsivetherapy(ECT)useselectricalcurrentstoinduceaseizure,andhasbeenshowntohelppeoplewithclinicaldepression.It’susedinpeoplewithseveredepressionordepressionthatisresistanttoothertreatmentsorantidepressantmedications.DuringanECTprocedure,you’llreceiveananestheticagentwhichwillputyoutosleepforapproximately5to10minutes.Yourhealthcareprofessionalwillplacecardiacmonitoringpadsonyourchestandfourelectrodesonspecificareasofyourhead.Theywillthendelivershortelectricalpulsesforafewseconds.Youwillneitherconvulsenorfeeltheelectricalcurrentandwillawakenabout5to10minutesaftertreatment.Sideeffectsincludeheadaches,nausea,muscleachesandsoreness,andconfusionordisorientation.Patientsmayalsodevelopmemoryproblems,buttheseusuallyresideintheweeksandmonthsaftertreatmentAlternativetherapiesAskyourdoctoraboutalternativetherapiesfordepression.Manypeoplechoosetousealternativetherapiesalongsidetraditionalpsychotherapyandmedication.Someexamplesinclude:Meditation.Stress,anxiety,andangeraretriggersofdepression,butmeditationcanhelpchangethewayyourbrainrespondstotheseemotions.Studiesshowthatmeditationpracticescanhelpimprovesymptomsofdepressionandloweryourchancesofadepressionrelapse.Acupuncture.AcupunctureisaformoftraditionalChinesemedicinethatmayhelpeasesomesymptomsofdepression.Duringacupuncture,apractitionerusesneedlestostimulatecertainareasinthebodyinordertotreatarangeofconditions.Researchsuggeststhatacupuncturemayhelpclinicaltreatmentsworkbetterandmaybeaseffectiveascounseling.NaturalremediesandlifestyletipsExerciseAimfor30minutesofphysicalactivity3to5daysaweek.Exercisecanincreaseyourbody’sproductionofendorphins,whicharehormonesthatimproveyourmood.AvoidalcoholandsubstanceuseDrinkingalcoholormisusingsubstancesmaymakeyoufeelbetterforalittlebit.Butinthelongrun,thesesubstancescanmakedepressionandanxietysymptomsworse.LearnhowtosetlimitsFeelingoverwhelmedcanworsenanxietyanddepressionsymptoms.Settingboundariesinyourprofessionalandpersonallifecanhelpyoufeelbetter.TakecareofyourselfYoucanalsoimprovesymptomsofdepressionbytakingcareofyourself.Thisincludesgettingplentyofsleep,eatingahealthydiet,avoidingnegativepeople,andparticipatinginenjoyableactivities.Sometimesdepressiondoesn’trespondtomedication.Yourhealthcareprofessionalmayrecommendothertreatmentoptionsifyoursymptomsdon’timprove.Theseoptionsincludeelectroconvulsivetherapy(ECT)orrepetitivetranscranialmagneticstimulation(rTMS)totreatdepressionandimproveyourmood.SupplementsSeveraltypesofsupplementsmayhavesomepositiveeffectondepressionsymptoms.S-adenosyl-L-methionine(SAMe)Someresearchsuggeststhiscompoundmayeasesymptomsofdepression.TheeffectswerebestseeninpeopletakingSSRIs.However,theresultsofthisresearchisnotconclusiveandmoreresearchisneeded.5-hydroxytryptophan(5-HTP)5-HTPmayraiseserotoninlevelsinthebrain,whichcouldeasesymptoms.Yourbodymakesthischemicalwhenyouconsumetryptophan,abuildingblockofprotein.However,morestudiesareneeded.Omega-3fattyacidsTheseessentialfatsareimportanttoneurologicaldevelopmentandbrainhealth.Addingomega-3supplementstoyourdietmayhelpreducedepressionsymptoms.However,thereissomeconflictingevidenceandmoreresearchisneeded.Alwaystalktoyourdoctorbeforetakingsupplements,astheymayinteractwithothermedicationsorhavenegativeeffects.VitaminsVitaminsareimportanttomanybodilyfunctions.Researchsuggeststwovitaminsareespeciallyusefulforeasingsymptomsofdepression:VitaminB:B-12andB-6arevitaltobrainhealth.WhenyourvitaminBlevelsarelow,yourriskfordevelopingdepressionmaybehigher.VitaminD:Sometimescalledthesunshinevitamin,vitaminDisimportantforbrain,heart,andbonehealth.TheremaybealinkbetweenvitaminDdeficiencyanddepression,butmoreresearchisneeded.Manyherbs,supplements,andvitaminsclaimtohelpeasesymptomsofdepression,butmosthaven’tshownthemselvestobeeffectiveinclinicalresearch.Learnaboutherbs,vitamins,andsupplementsthathaveshownsomepromise,andaskyourhealthcareprofessionalifanyarerightforyou.DepressiontestThereisn’tasingletesttodiagnosedepression.Butyourhealthcareprovidercanmakeadiagnosisbasedonyoursymptomsandapsychologicalevaluation.Inmostcases,they’llaskaseriesofquestionsaboutyour:moodsappetitesleeppatternactivitylevelthoughtsBecausedepressioncanbelinkedtootherhealthproblems,yourhealthcareprofessionalmayalsoconductaphysicalexaminationandorderbloodwork.SometimesthyroidproblemsoravitaminDdeficiencycantriggersymptomsofdepression.It’simportantnottoignoresymptomsofdepression.Ifyourmooddoesn’timproveorgetsworse,seekmedicalhelp.Depressionisaseriousmentalhealthillnesswiththepotentialforcomplications.Ifleftuntreated,complicationscaninclude:weightgainorlossphysicalpainsubstanceusedisorderpanicattacksrelationshipproblemssocialisolationthoughtsofsuicideself-harmTypesofdepressionDepressioncanbebrokenintocategoriesdependingontheseverityofsymptoms.Somepeopleexperiencemildandtemporaryepisodes,whileothersexperiencesevereandongoingdepressiveepisodes.Therearetwomaintypes:majordepressivedisorderandpersistentdepressivedisorder.MajordepressivedisorderMajordepressivedisorder(MDD)isthemoresevereformofdepression.It’scharacterizedbypersistentfeelingsofsadness,hopelessness,andworthlessnessthatdon’tgoawayontheirown.Inordertobediagnosedwithclinicaldepression,youmustexperiencefiveormoreofthefollowingsymptomsovera2-weekperiod:feelingdepressedmostofthedaylossofinterestinmostregularactivitiessignificantweightlossorgainsleepingalotornotbeingabletosleepslowedthinkingormovementfatigueorlowenergymostdaysfeelingsofworthlessnessorguiltlossofconcentrationorindecisivenessrecurringthoughtsofdeathorsuicideTherearedifferentsubtypesofmajordepressivedisorder,whichtheAmericanPsychiatricAssociationreferstoas“specifiers.”Theseinclude:atypicalfeaturesanxiousdistressmixedfeaturesperipartumonset,duringpregnancyorrightaftergivingbirthseasonalpatternsmelancholicfeaturespsychoticfeaturescatatoniaPersistentdepressivedisorderPersistentdepressivedisorder(PDD)usedtobecalleddysthymia.It’samilder,butchronic,formofdepression.Inorderforthediagnosistobemade,symptomsmustlastforatleast2years.PDDcanaffectyourlifemorethanmajordepressionbecauseitlastsforalongerperiod.It’scommonforpeoplewithPDDto:loseinterestinnormaldailyactivitiesfeelhopelesslackproductivityhavelowself-esteemDepressioncanbetreatedsuccessfully,butit’simportanttosticktoyourtreatmentplan.Readmoreaboutwhydepressiontreatmentisimportant.Livingwithdepressioncanbedifficult,buttreatmentcanhelpimproveyourqualityoflife.Talktoyourhealthcareprofessionalaboutpossibleoptions.TheHealthlineFindCaretoolcanprovideoptionsinyourareaifyoudon’talreadyhaveadoctor.PostpartumdepressionPostpartumdepressionreferstodepressionthathappensafterchildbirth.Itisacommondisorderafterpregnancy,affecting1in9newparents.It’scommonforpeopletoexperience“babyblues,”orfeelingsofsadnessoremptinessafterchildbirth.Formanypeople,thesesymptomsgoawayinacoupleofdays.Butifyoufeelsad,hopeless,oremptyforlongerthan2weekspost-childbirth,youmayhavepostpartumdepression.Symptomsofpostpartumdepressioncanrangefrommildtosevereandcaninclude:feelingrestlessormoodyfeelingsad,hopeless,oroverwhelmedhavingthoughtsofhurtingthebabyoryourselfnothavinganinterestinthebaby,feelingdisconnected,orasifyourbabyissomeoneelse’shavingnoenergyormotivationeatingtoolittleortoomuchsleepingtoolittleortoomuchhavingtroublefocusinghavingmemoryproblemsfeelingworthless,guilty,orlikeabadparentwithdrawingfromactivitiesyouonceenjoyedwithdrawingfromfriendsandfamilyhavingheadaches,aches,orstomachissuesthatdon’tgoawayfeelingempty,unconnected,orasthoughyoumightnotloveorcareforthebabyPostpartumdepressionisthoughttobetriggeredbythedramatichormonalchangesthattakeplaceafterpregnancy.Bipolardepressionoccursincertaintypesofbipolardisorderwhenapersonexperiencesadepressiveepisode.Bipolardisorderisamentaldisorderthatcausesdistinctchangesinmood,energy,concentration,andtheabilitytocarryoutyourday-to-daytasks.Therearethreetypesofbipolardisorder,allofwhichincludeperiodsknownasmanicepisodes,whereyoufeelextremely“up,”elated,orenergized,anddepressiveepisodeswhereyoufeel“down,”sad,orhopeless.Ifyouhavebipolardisorder,itcanbehardtorecognizetheharmfuleffectsofeach“moodepisode.”Peoplehavingadepressiveepisodemay:feelverysad,hopeless,oremptyfeelsloweddownorrestlesshavetroublefallingasleep,wakeuptooearly,orsleeptoomuchhaveanincreasedappetiteandweightgaintalkveryslowly,forgetthings,orfeelliketheyhavenothingtosayhavetroubleconcentratingormakingdecisionsfeelunabletodobasictaskshavelittleinterestinactivitieshaveadecreasedorabsentsexdrivehavethoughtsofdeathorsuicideSymptomsduringadepressiveepisodelasteverydayformostofthedayandcanlastforseveraldaysorweeks.Ifbipolardisorderistreated,manywillexperiencefewerandlessseveresymptomsofdepression,iftheyexperiencedepressiveepisodes.These7treatmentsmayhelpeasesymptomsofbipolardepression.DepressionandanxietyDepressionandanxietycanoccurinapersonatthesametime.Infact,researchhasshownthatover70percentofpeoplewithdepressivedisordersalsohavesymptomsofanxiety.Thoughthey’rethoughttobecausedbydifferentthings,depressionandanxietycanproduceseveralsimilarsymptoms,whichcaninclude:irritabilitydifficultywithmemoryorconcentrationsleepproblemsThetwoconditionsalsosharesomecommontreatments.Bothanxietyanddepressioncanbetreatedwith:therapy,likecognitivebehavioraltherapymedicationalternativetherapies,includinghypnotherapyIfyouthinkyou’reexperiencingsymptomsofeitheroftheseconditionsorbothofthem,makeanappointmenttotalkwithyourhealthcareprofessional.Youcanworkwiththemtoidentifycoexistingsymptomsofanxietyanddepressionandhowtheycanbetreated.Depressionandobsessive-compulsivedisorder(OCD)Obsessive-compulsivedisorder(OCD)isatypeofanxietydisorder.Itcausesunwantedandrepeatedthoughts,urges,andfears(obsessions).Thesefearscauseyoutoactoutrepeatedbehaviorsorrituals(compulsions)thatyouhopewilleasethestresscausedbytheobsessions.PeoplediagnosedwithOCDfrequentlyfindthemselvesinaloopofobsessionsandcompulsions.Ifyouhavethesebehaviors,youmayfeelisolatedbecauseofthem.Thiscanleadtowithdrawalfromfriendsandsocialsituations,whichcanincreaseyourriskfordepression.It’snotuncommonforsomeonewithOCDtoalsohavedepression.Havingoneanxietydisordercanincreaseyouroddsforhavinganother.Upto80percentofpeoplewithOCDalsohavemajordepressionepisodes.Thisdualdiagnosisisaconcernwithchildren,too.Theircompulsivebehaviors,whichmaybefirstdevelopingatayoungage,canmakethemfeelunusual.Thatcanleadtowithdrawingfromfriendsandcanincreasethechanceofachilddevelopingdepression.DepressionwithpsychosisSomeindividualswhohavebeendiagnosedwithmajordepressionmayalsohavesymptomsofanothermentaldisordercalledpsychosis.Whenthetwoconditionsoccurtogether,it’sknownasdepressivepsychosis.Depressivepsychosiscausespeopletosee,hear,believe,orsmellthingsthataren’treal.Peoplewiththeconditionmayalsoexperiencefeelingsofsadness,hopelessness,andirritability.Thecombinationofthetwoconditionsisparticularlydangerous.That’sbecausesomeonewithdepressivepsychosismayexperiencedelusionsthatcausethemtohavethoughtsofsuicideortotakeunusualrisks.It’sunclearwhatcausesthesetwoconditionsorwhytheycanoccurtogether,buttreatmentcansuccessfullyeasesymptoms.Treatmentsincludemedicationsandelectroconvulsivetherapy(ECT).Understandingtheriskfactorsandpossiblecausescanhelpyoubeawareofearlysymptoms.Readmoreaboutdepressivepsychosis,howit’streated,andwhathealthcareprofessionalsunderstandaboutwhyitoccurs.DepressioninpregnancyPregnancyisoftenanexcitingtimeforpeople.However,itcanstillbecommonforapregnantwomantoexperiencedepression.Symptomsofdepressionduringpregnancyinclude:changesinappetiteoreatinghabitsfeelinghopelessanxietylosinginterestinactivitiesandthingsyoupreviouslyenjoyedpersistentsadnesstroublesconcentratingorrememberingsleepproblems,includinginsomniaorsleepingtoomuchthoughtsofdeathorsuicideTreatmentfordepressionduringpregnancymayfocusentirelyontalktherapyandothernaturaltreatments.Whilesomewomendotakeantidepressantsduringtheirpregnancy,it’snotclearwhichonesarethesafest.Yourhealthcareprovidermayencourageyoutotryanalternativeoptionuntilafterthebirthofyourbaby.Therisksfordepressioncancontinueafterthebabyarrives.Postpartumdepression,whichisalsocalledmajordepressivedisorderwithperipartumonset,isaseriousconcernfornewmothers.Recognizingthesymptomsmayhelpyouspotaproblemandseekhelpbeforeitbecomesoverwhelming.DepressionandalcoholResearchhasestablishedalinkbetweenalcoholuseanddepression.Peoplewhohavedepressionaremorelikelytomisusealcohol.Outofthe20.2millionU.S.adultswhoexperiencedasubstanceusedisorder,about50percenthadaco-occurringmentalillness.Drinkingalcoholfrequentlycanmakesymptomsofdepressionworse,andpeoplewhohavedepressionaremorelikelytomisusealcoholorbecomedependentonit.PreventingdepressionDepressionisn’tgenerallyconsideredtobepreventable.It’shardtorecognizewhatcausesit,whichmeanspreventingitismoredifficult.Butonceyou’veexperiencedadepressiveepisode,youmaybebetterpreparedtopreventafutureepisodebylearningwhichlifestylechangesandtreatmentsarehelpful.Techniquesthatmayhelpinclude:regularexercisegettingplentyofsleepmaintainingtreatmentsreducingstressbuildingstrongrelationshipswithothersOthertechniquesandideasmayalsohelpyoupreventdepression.Readthefulllistof15waysyoumaybeabletoavoiddepression.OutlookfordepressionDepressioncanbetemporary,oritcanbealong-termchallenge.Treatmentdoesn’talwaysmakeyourdepressiongoawaycompletely.However,treatmentoftenmakessymptomsmoremanageable.Managingsymptomsofdepressioninvolvesfindingtherightcombinationofmedicationsandtherapies.Ifonetreatmentdoesn’twork,talkwithyourhealthcareprofessional.Theycanhelpyoucreateadifferenttreatmentplanthatmayworkbetterinhelpingyoumanageyourcondition.ReadthisarticleinSpanish.LastmedicallyreviewedonNovember1,2021MedicallyreviewedbyVaraSaripalli,Psy.D.—WrittenbyValenciaHiguera—UpdatedonNovember1,2021Readthisnext7PhysicalSymptomsThatProveDepressionIsNotJust‘InYourHead’MedicallyreviewedbyTimothyJ.Legg,PhD,PsyDDepressionhurts.Andwhileweoftenpairthismentalillnesswithemotionalpainlikesadness,crying,andfeelingsofhopelessness,researchshows…READMOREStayingAwake:TheSurprisinglyEffectiveWaytoTreatDepression“Weknewitworked,”saysBenedetti.“Patientswiththeseterriblehistoriesweregettingwellimmediately.Mytaskwasfindingawayofmakingthem…READMOREHowtoGetOutofBedWhenDepressionIsKeepingYouDownMedicallyreviewedbyTimothyJ.Legg,PhD,PsyDDepressioncanmakeithardtogetoutofbedinthemorning,especiallywhenit’skeptyouupallnightorgivenyourestlesssleep.Here’seight…READMOREWhatIt’sReallyLikeGoingThroughaDeep,DarkDepressionTheauthorshareshowshewentfromanxietytoadeepdepressiontoactivelyconsideringsuicide.Readthisarticletounderstandwhatitreallyfeels…READMORE4WaysDepressionCanPhysicallyAffecttheBrainMedicallyreviewedbyTimothyJ.Legg,PhD,PsyDIn2016,16.2millionU.S.adultshadatleastonemajordepressiveepisode.Whiledepressioncanaffectapersonpsychologically,italsohasthe…READMOREMajorDepressionwithPsychoticFeatures(PsychoticDepression)Learnaboutthecausesandsymptomsofpsychoticdepressionandhowthedisorderistreated.READMOREHowthePandemicMadetheMentalHealthCrisisWorseforTeensTheSurgeonGeneralissuedapublichealthadvisoryonthementalhealthchallengesthatchildrenandteenagersarefacinginthemidstofthe…READMORE15BooksThatShineaLightonDepressionfor2022MedicallyreviewedbyKarinGepp,PsyDFindoutaboutnewtreatmentapproachesandreadstoriesfrompeoplelivingwiththisconditioninthebestbooksaboutdepression.READMOREAntidepressants101:ProsandConsAntidepressantsareusedtotreatdepression.Theycanbringreliefandareacommontreatmentoption.However,thereareprosandcons.Weexplore…READMORECopingwithSeasonalAffectiveDisorderDuringAnotherPandemicWinterAsweapproachanotherpandemicwinter,seasonalaffectivedisorderisonceagainbeingcompoundedbyCOVID-19anxietyformanyAmericans.READMORE