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Depression
What is depression?
Everyone feels sad or low sometimes, but these feelings usually pass.
Depression (also called major depression, major depressive disorder, or
clinical depression) is different. It can cause severe symptoms that
affect how a person feels, thinks, and handles daily activities, such as
sleeping, eating, or working.
Depression can affect anyone regardless of age, sex, race or ethnicity,
income, culture, or education. Research suggests that genetic,
biological, environmental, and psychological factors play a role in the
disorder.
Women are diagnosed with depression more often than men, but men can
also be depressed. Because men may be less likely to recognize, talk
about, and seek help for their negative feelings, they are at greater
risk of their depression symptoms being undiagnosed and undertreated.
In addition, depression can co-occur with other mental disorders or
chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and chronic
pain. Depression can make these conditions worse and vice versa.
Sometimes, medications taken for an illness cause side effects that
contribute to depression symptoms as well.
What are the different types of depression?
There are two common types of depression.
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Major
depression includes symptoms of depressed mood or loss of
interest, most of the time for at least 2 weeks, that interfere with
daily activities.
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Persistent
depressive disorder (also called dysthymia or dysthymic
disorder) consists of less severe depression symptoms that last much
longer, usually for at least 2 years.
Other types of depression include the following.
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Seasonal
affective disorder comes and goes with the seasons,
with symptoms typically starting in the late fall and early winter
and going away during the spring and summer.
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Depression
with symptoms of psychosis is
a severe form of depression in which a person experiences psychosis
symptoms, such as delusions or hallucinations.
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Bipolar
disorder involves depressive episodes, as well as manic
episodes (or less severe hypomanic episodes) with unusually elevated
mood, greater irritability, or increased activity level.
Additional types of depression can occur at specific points in a
woman’s life. Pregnancy, the postpartum period, the menstrual cycle,
and menopause are associated with physical and hormonal changes that
can bring on a depressive episode in some people.
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Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a more severe form
of premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, that occurs in the weeks
before menstruation.
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Perinatal depression occurs during pregnancy or
after childbirth. It is more than the “baby blues” many new moms
experience after giving birth.
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Perimenopausal depression affects some women during the
transition to menopause. Women may experience feelings of
intense irritability, anxiety, sadness, or loss of enjoyment.
What are the signs and symptoms of depression?
Common signs and symptoms of depression include:
- Persistent
sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
- Feelings of
hopelessness or pessimism
- Feelings of
irritability, frustration‚ or restlessness
- Feelings of
guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
- Loss of
interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
- Fatigue,
lack of energy, or feeling slowed down
- Difficulty
concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Difficulty
sleeping, waking too early in the morning, or oversleeping
- Changes in
appetite or unplanned weight changes
- Physical
aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a
clear physical cause that do not go away with treatment
- Thoughts of
death or suicide or suicide attempts
Depression can also involve other changes in mood or behavior that
include:
- Increased
anger or irritability
- Feeling
restless or on edge
- Becoming
withdrawn, negative, or detached
- Increased
engagement in high-risk activities
- Greater
impulsivity
- Increased
use of alcohol or drugs
- Isolating
from family and friends
- Inability
to meet responsibilities or ignoring other important roles
- Problems
with sexual desire and performance
Not everyone who is depressed shows all these symptoms. Some people
experience only a few symptoms, while others experience many. Depression
symptoms interfere with day-to-day functioning and cause significant
distress for the person experiencing them.
If you show signs or symptoms of depression and they persist or do not
go away, talk to a health care provider. If you see signs of depression
in someone you know, encourage them to seek help from a mental health
professional.
If you or someone you know is struggling or having thoughts of
suicide, call or text the 988
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or
chat at 988lifeline.org .
In life-threatening situations, call 911.
How is depression diagnosed?
To be diagnosed with depression, a person must have symptoms most of the
day, nearly every day, for at least 2 weeks. One of the symptoms must be
a depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure in most activities.
Children and adolescents may be irritable rather than sad.
Although several persistent symptoms, in addition to low mood, are
required for a depression diagnosis, people with only a few symptoms may
benefit from treatment. The severity and frequency of symptoms and how
long they last vary depending on the person.
If you think you may have depression, talk to a health care provider,
such as a primary care doctor, psychologist, or psychiatrist. During the
visit, the provider may ask when your symptoms began, how long they have
lasted, how often they occur, and if they keep you from going out or
doing your usual activities. It may help to take some notes about your
symptoms before the visit.
Certain medications and medical conditions, such as viruses or thyroid
disorders, can cause the same symptoms as depression. A provider can
rule out these possibilities by doing a physical exam, interview, and
lab tests.
Does depression look the same in everyone?
Depression can affect people differently depending on their age.
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Children may
be anxious or cranky, pretend to be sick, refuse to go to school,
cling to a parent, or worry that a parent may die.
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Older
children and teens may get into trouble at school, sulk, be
easily frustrated‚ feel restless, or have low self-esteem. They may
have other disorders, such as anxiety, an eating disorder,
attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or substance use disorder.
Older children and teens are also more likely to experience
excessive sleepiness (called hypersomnia) and increased appetite
(called hyperphagia).
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Young
adults are more likely to be irritable, complain of weight
gain and hypersomnia, and have a negative view of life and the
future. They often have other disorders, such as generalized anxiety
disorder, social phobia, panic disorder, or substance use disorder.
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Middle-aged adults may have more depressive episodes,
decreased libido, middle-of-the-night insomnia, or early morning
waking. They often report stomach problems, such as diarrhea or
constipation.
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Older
adults often feel sadness, grief, or other less obvious
symptoms. They may report a lack of emotions rather than a depressed
mood. Older adults are also more likely to have other medical
conditions or pain that can cause or contribute to depression.
Memory and thinking problems (called pseudodementia) may be
prominent in severe cases.
Depression can also look different in men versus women, such as the
symptoms they show and the behaviors they use to cope with them. For
instance, men (as well as women) may show symptoms other than sadness,
instead seeming angry or irritable.
For some people, symptoms manifest as physical problems (for example, a
racing heart, tightened chest, chronic headaches, or digestive issues).
Many men are more likely to see a health care provider about these
physical symptoms than their emotional ones. While increased use of
alcohol or drugs can be a sign of depression in any person, men are also
more likely to use these substances as a coping strategy.
How is depression treated?
Depression treatment typically involves psychotherapy (in person or
virtual), medication, or both. If these treatments do not reduce
symptoms sufficiently, brain stimulation therapy may be another option.
Choosing the right treatment plan is based on a person’s needs,
preferences, and medical situation and in consultation with a mental
health professional or a health care provider. Finding the best
treatment may take trial and error.
For milder forms of depression, psychotherapy is often tried first, with
medication added later if the therapy alone does not produce a good
response. People with moderate or severe depression usually are
prescribed medication as part of the initial treatment plan.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy (also called talk therapy or counseling) can help people
with depression by teaching them new ways of thinking and behaving and
helping them change habits that contribute to depression. Psychotherapy
occurs under the care of a licensed, trained mental health professional
in one-on-one sessions or with others in a group setting.
Psychotherapy can be effective when delivered in person or virtually via
telehealth. A provider may support or supplement therapy using digital
or mobile technology, like apps or other tools.
Evidence-based therapies to treat depression include cognitive
behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy. Using other forms of
psychotherapy, such as psychodynamic therapy, for a limited time also
may help some people with depression.
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Cognitive
behavioral therapy (CBT): With CBT, people learn to
challenge and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to improve
their depressive and anxious feelings. Recent advances in CBT
include adding mindfulness principles and specializing the therapy
to target specific symptoms like insomnia.
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Interpersonal therapy (IPT): IPT focuses on interpersonal
and life events that impact mood and vice versa. IPT aims to help
people improve their communication skills within relationships, form
social support networks, and develop realistic expectations to
better deal with crises or other issues that may be contributing to
or worsening their depression.
Medication
Antidepressants are medications commonly used to treat depression. They
work by changing how the brain produces or uses certain chemicals
involved in mood or stress.
Antidepressants take time—usually 4−8 weeks—to work, and problems with
sleep, appetite, and concentration often improve before mood lifts.
Giving a medication a chance to work is important before deciding
whether it is right for you.
Treatment-resistant depression occurs when a person doesn’t get better
after trying at least two antidepressants. Esketamine is a medication
approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for
treatment-resistant depression. Delivered as a nasal spray in a doctor’s
office, clinic, or hospital, the medication acts rapidly, typically
within a couple of hours, to relieve depression symptoms. People will
usually continue to take an antidepressant pill to maintain the
improvement in their symptoms.
Another option for treatment-resistant depression is to combine an
antidepressant with a different type of medication that may make it more
effective, such as an antipsychotic or anticonvulsant medication.
All medications can have side effects. Talk to a health care
provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Note:
In some cases, children, teenagers, and young adults under 25 years may
experience an increase in suicidal thoughts or behavior when taking
antidepressants, especially in the first few weeks after starting or
when the dose is changed. The FDA advises that patients of all ages
taking antidepressants be watched closely, especially during the first
few weeks of treatment.
Information about medication changes frequently. Learn more about
specific medications like esketamine, including the latest approvals,
side effects, warnings, and patient information, on the FDA
website .
Brain stimulation therapy
Brain stimulation therapy is an option when other depression treatments
have not worked. The therapy involves activating or inhibiting the brain
with electricity or magnetic waves.
Although brain stimulation therapy is less frequently used than
psychotherapy and medication, it can play an important role in treating
depression in people who have not responded to other treatments. The
therapy generally is used only after a person has tried psychotherapy
and medication, and those treatments usually continue. Brain stimulation
therapy is sometimes used as an earlier treatment option when severe
depression has become life-threatening, such as when a person has
stopped eating or drinking or is at a high risk of suicide.
The FDA has approved several types of brain stimulation therapy. The
most used are electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and repetitive
transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). Other brain stimulation
therapies are newer and, in some cases, still considered experimental.
Learn more about brain
stimulation therapies.
Natural products
The FDA has not approved any natural products for treating depression.
Although research is ongoing and findings are inconsistent, some people
report that natural products, including vitamin D and the herbal dietary
supplement St. John’s wort, helped their depression symptoms. However,
these products can come with risks, including, in some cases,
interactions with prescription medications.
Do not use vitamin D, St. John’s wort, or other dietary supplements or
natural products without first talking to a health care provider.
Rigorous studies must test whether these and other natural products are
safe and effective.
How can I take care of myself?
Most people with depression benefit from mental health treatment. Once
you begin treatment, you should gradually start to feel better. Go easy
on yourself during this time. Try to do things you used to enjoy. Even
if you don’t feel like doing them, they can improve your mood.
Other things that may help:
- Try to get
physical activity. Just 30 minutes a day of walking can boost your
mood.
- Try to
maintain a regular bedtime and wake-up time.
- Eat
regular, healthy meals.
- Do what you
can as you can. Decide what must get done and what can wait.
- Connect
with people. Talk to people you trust about how you are feeling.
- Delay
making important life decisions until you feel better. Discuss
decisions with people who know you well.
- Avoid using
alcohol, nicotine, or drugs, including medications not prescribed
for you.
How can I find help for depression?
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
also has an online tool to help you find
mental health services in
your area.
How can I help a loved one who is depressed?
If someone you know is depressed, help them see a health care provider
or mental health professional. You also can:
- Offer
support, understanding, patience, and encouragement.
- Invite them
out for walks, outings, and other activities.
- Help them
stick to their treatment plan, such as setting reminders to take
prescribed medications.
- Make sure
they have transportation or access to therapy appointments.
- Remind them
that, with time and treatment, their depression can lift.
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