Depression is a commonly used word in everyday language to express feeling sad, lousy, or sometimes even tired. But depression is much more than that. The World Health Organization (2021) says depression is a mental disorder but common. It is a leading cause of disability worldwide and significantly contributes to the overall global burden of diseases.
Unipolar Major Depression, also known as Major Depressive Disorder or simply Clinical Depression, has increased in recent decades (Kessler et.al, 2003). It is estimated that one in fifteen adults (6.7%) are affected by depression in any year and that one in six people (16.6%) will experience depression at some time in their life (APA, 2020). Women suffer depression more than men due to excessive rumination (the act of constantly pondering over negative content from the past and/or present) and also use more emotional coping strategies. Men try more to cope with the help of alcohol than women (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2012).
Sadness, discouragement, pessimism, and hopelessness about matters are common human thought processes and may even help oneself, but only when they do not last long or disappear after a short period (Keller & Nesse, 2005). Still, if the following symptoms continue for at least two weeks, then it is advisable to see a professional (APA, 2020):
-Feeling sad and having a depressed mood
-Loss of interest in once pleasurable activities
-Eating and sleeping too little or too much
-Feeling tired most of the time (increased fatigue) or loss of energy
-Slowed speech (noticed by others)
-Feelings of worthlessness and guilt
-Difficulty concentrating and making decisions, increased thoughts about death or suicide
Many factors, such as Biochemistry, can cause depression due to specific imbalances in the neurotransmitters or chemicals in the brain. Genetics (depression can run in families) and personality (having a generally pessimistic view, low self-esteem, getting easily overwhelmed by stress, etc.) are also important factors when understanding depression. Certain environmental factors like violence, neglect, abuse, or poverty can also be major contributing factors (APA, 2020).
The good news is that individuals suffering from depression don’t have to live that way. With extensive research and advancement, we have treatments that can help one do well and manage the symptoms of depression. Certain medications called anti-depressants and psychotropics are available with the prescription of a psychiatrist who, upon evaluation and running some tests, can decide the dosage that works best for the individual. These medications generally produce improvement within the first two weeks, but full benefits are visible within two to three months, so don’t stop taking them immediately as you feel better!
Psychotherapy is sometimes used alone and at other times in combination with medication for depression. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an effective clinical treatment for depression (Lepping, 2017) that focuses on problem-solving, recognizing distorted or negative thinking patterns, and responding to or changing them with more positive ones. Therapy can include only individuals (solo), groups, families, or couples depending on the issues.
Some tips that help improve the situation when one has depression:
- Regular exercise
- eating healthy food
- getting enough good quality sleep
- avoiding alcohol
Remember that depression is natural, and help is available to all of us. If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, please seek professional help!
References
Kessler, R. C., Berglund, P., Demler, O., Jin, R., Koretz, D., Merikangas, K. R., … & Wang, P. S. (2003). The epidemiology of major depressive disorder: results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R). Jama, 289(23), 3095-3105.
Keller, M. C., & Nesse, R. M. (2005). Is low mood an adaptation? Evidence for subtypes with symptoms that match precipitants. Journal of affective disorders, 86(1), 27-35.
Lepping, P., Whittington, R., Sambhi, R. S., Lane, S., Poole, R., Leucht, S., … & Waheed, W. (2017). Clinical relevance of findings in trials of CBT for depression. European Psychiatry, 45, 207-211.
Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (2012). Emotion regulation and psychopathology: The role of gender. Annual review of clinical psychology, 8, 161-187.
What is Depression? What is depression? (2020, October). Retrieved March 24, 2022, from https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression
World Health Organization. (2021, September 21). Depression. World Health Organization. Retrieved March 24, 2022, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression
