Overview
Depression is a serious mental health disorder in which the person experiences persistent feelings of sadness and a loss of interest in everyday life. This can significantly interfere with their functionality in all areas of life.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Depression?
Depression is a common mental health disorder that can significantly impact a person’s mood, behavior, and overall well-being. Some of the most common signs and symptoms of depression include:
- feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and emptiness, which may persist for two or more weeks
- a lack of interest in activities that were once enjoyable
- difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- irritability
- increased anxiety or restlessness.
Depression can also manifest in physical symptoms such as:
- Fatigue
- changes in appetite or weight
- insomnia or hypersomnia
- physical aches and pains without a clear physical cause.
In some cases, people with depression may also experience suicidal thoughts or behaviors, which require immediate medical attention. It is also important to seek professional help if you experience symptoms of depression that interfere with your daily life, work, or relationships. With proper treatment and support, people with depression can experience significant improvement in their symptoms and overall quality of life.
What are the Types of Depression?
Depression is not a complete diagnosis in and of itself. There are several different types of depression that people may experience. Types of depression that are usually seen in individuals include major depression, persistent depressive disorder, seasonal affective disorder, postpartum depression, bipolar disorder, and more.
Types of depression:
- Major depression: Characterized by a persistent feeling of sadness or a loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable.
- Persistent depressive disorder: Also known as dysthymia, involves a less severe but longer-lasting form of depression that can persist for two years or more.
- Bipolar disorder: A mood disorder that involves periods of depression alternating with periods of mania or hypomania.
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): A type of depression that typically occurs in the fall and winter months when there is less sunlight.
- Postpartum depression: A type of depression that occurs in women after giving birth and is thought to be related to hormonal changes.
In addition to these types of depression, there are also other subtypes that can occur alongside other medical or psychiatric conditions, such as substance-induced depression or depression related to medical conditions. It is important to seek professional help if you are experiencing symptoms of depression, as proper diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve your quality of life.
Who does Depression Affect?
While a large number of people suffer from the disorder, the risk of developing depression varies based on a person’s gender, age, race, socioeconomic background, and more. Statistics show that females are more likely to develop the disorder when compared to men. Further, there are certain risk factors associated with the development of depression which include serious physiological or neurological conditions like cancer or Alzheimer’s.
How Common is Depression in India?
Depression is fairly prevalent in India with some of the latest statistics showing that it has a prevalence of around 2.7% in the country. However, the rate of incidence varies greatly based on various factors including gender and socioeconomic factors. Studies show that the disorder affects women at a higher rate and also affects people in urban areas and from lower socioeconomic strata disproportionately.
What Causes Depression?
Depression has multiple complex causes behind it and no single cause can be ascertained as the reason why it develops. Depression can largely be understood as a combination of the following causative factors:
Genetics: Research shows that depression has the tendency to run through families. There are multiple genes involved in the development of the disorder according to multiple studies. Though genetics plays an important role in the development of the disorder, it is not a guaranteeing factor in and of itself.
Environmental Factors: Stressful life events, including the death of a loved one, a failed relationship or marriage, and more, can lead to a person developing the disorder. Physical or emotional trauma can also increase the incidence of the disorder.
A Note From Us: When it comes to major life events or traumatic incidents, it sometimes becomes difficult to distinguish between grief and the incidence of depression. Know that it is perfectly fine and necessary, even to grieve. However, in these situations, it is even more important to keep an eye out for any symptoms out of the ordinary within a person.
Social isolation is also seen as impacting the incidence of the disorder. Factors like substance abuse can lead to a person developing depression.
How is Depression diagnosed?
Diagnosing depression is a complex process that usually involves at least a couple of sessions with a mental health professional. During this period, the professional will conduct a thorough assessment of a person’s medical history and their symptoms. A diagnosis of major depressive disorder (the most common form of the disorder) involves the presence of at least five of the symptoms listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association.
The symptoms include:
- depressed mood
- loss of interest or pleasure in activities
- significant weight loss or gain
- insomnia or hypersomnia
- fatigue or loss of energy
- feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- difficulty concentrating
- recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.
Further, a professional may also conduct a detailed physical examination along with a few diagnostic tests. This is to rule out any physiological causes behind the symptoms of the disorder. It is important to note that a diagnosis of depression can only be made by a trained mental health professional like a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist.
Treatment for Depression
Depression is a highly treatable mental health disorder. With early diagnosis and effective treatment, an individual can show considerable improvement. In fact, studies show that in individuals who obtained an early diagnosis, a majority of them showed considerable improvement with treatment within six weeks.
Further, early treatment with psychotherapy and related approaches significantly reduced the risk of recurrence of depressive episodes in individuals. Very importantly, studies also show that early treatment helps significantly reduce the risk of suicide and self-harm among individuals who are battling depression.
Treatment approaches for depression include:
Medication for Depression
There are various medications that help in treating depression. These medications are prescribed by a psychiatrist and help a person deal with the different symptoms of the disorder. It is important to note that these medications must be taken only under the advice and guidance of a psychiatrist.
On side effects: Another important factor to consider while taking medication for depression is the side effects that come with it. Do note that a psychiatrist weighs the pros and cons of each medication before prescribing it to a person. However, if a person notices disturbing or severe side effects, it is important to consult the professional immediately.
What are the Therapies Available for Depression?
Here are some of the most common therapies available for depression:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): This is a form of talk therapy that helps individuals identify and change negative or irrational thought patterns and behavior. The goal is to learn how to replace negative thoughts with more positive and realistic ones, and to develop new coping skills.
Interpersonal therapy (IPT): IPT focuses on improving relationships and communication skills to alleviate depression symptoms. It involves identifying and addressing problematic interpersonal patterns that may be contributing to depression.
Psychodynamic therapy: This type of therapy explores the underlying psychological conflicts that may be contributing to depression. It focuses on increasing self-awareness and understanding of unconscious thoughts and emotions.
Mindfulness-based therapy: Mindfulness-based therapies, such as mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), involve practicing mindfulness and meditation techniques to improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression.
Behavioral activation therapy: This type of therapy helps individuals identify and engage in positive activities and behaviors that can improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression.
Supportive therapy: Supportive therapy provides emotional support and encouragement to individuals with depression, and may involve discussing coping strategies and problem-solving skills.
It’s important to note that the most effective treatment plan for depression will vary from person to person, and may involve a combination of different therapies. A mental health professional can help determine the best approach for each individual.
Why Cadabams?
Cadabams is a mental healthcare organization with over three decades of experience in treating different mental health issues. We offer end-to-end services for everything related to mental health including outpatient consultations, in-patient facilities, and rehabilitation for more severe conditions. Our hospital facility offers the best mental health professionals who combine expertise, experience, and empathy to offer some of the best recovery experiences in Bangalore and Hyderabad.
FAQ
How long does it take to recover from depression?
It depends from individual to individual as well as the severity of depression.
Are medications required for treating depression?
In moderate to severe cases of depression, especially for those who are at risk of self-harm or suicide, medications are prescribed in addition to taking psychotherapy.
Which professionals treat depression?
Psychiatrists and psychotherapists, in conjunction help in the treatment of depression.
How do I know if I have depression?
You can consult our psychologists or psychiatrists who will assess whether you have depression, and the severity of it, and create a treatment plan for you.
When should I seek help for depression?
Seeking professional help for depression symptoms is crucial as it can greatly enhance the quality of life through accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
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