It’s normal to feel sad on occasion, especially after significant life events or when you lose a loved one. But when that sadness lasts for a very long time and interferes with your daily life, you may have depression.
Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in the United States, affecting nearly 3 in 10 adults at some point in life. There’s good news, though: While depression is common, it’s also very treatable.
Behavioral health specialists at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare in Memphis and the Mid-South can also determine whether your symptoms are due to depression and recommend treatments to support your mental health and wellness.
What Is Depression?
Depression is a mood disorder that disrupts the normal ebb and flow of a person’s emotions. What separates depression from regular sadness is how long it lasts and how much it impacts your daily life.
A depression diagnosis will vary based on the type you have. In general, depression may be diagnosed when you have symptoms every day for most of the day for a certain period of time. For example, having at least two weeks of symptoms may indicate you have major depressive disorder, and symptoms that present at the same time each year could suggest that you have seasonal depression.
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Types of Depression
The types of depression differ in how long symptoms last and when symptoms occur. They include:
- Major depressive disorder, the most common type, which causes sadness, lack of interest or pleasure, and other symptoms for at least two weeks
- Perinatal depression, types of depression that affect women during (prenatal depression) and up to one year after (postpartum depression) pregnancy
- Persistent depressive disorder, which causes sadness and other symptoms for at least two years
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder, which affects girls and women during the second half of the menstrual cycle
- Seasonal affective disorder, which occurs each year at approximately the same time, usually as the seasons change
Symptoms of Depression
Depression causes a persistent sadness or a loss of interest in things you previously enjoyed. You may also experience a variety of other mental and physical symptoms.
Symptoms of depression may include:
- Changes in appetite
- Decreased energy
- Difficulties concentrating or making decisions
- Fatigue
- Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness or excessive guilt
- Forgetfulness
- Insomnia or excessive sleep
- Irritability
- Purposeless physical activity, such as handwringing or pacing
- Slowed movements or speech
- Thoughts of death or suicide
If you’re having thoughts of death or suicide, reach out for immediate help. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for 24/7 crisis care or go to your nearest emergency room.
Risk Factors for Depression
Depression is thought to be caused by a combination of biological, environmental, genetic, psychological and social causes. Anyone can develop depression at any age, but it’s more common in certain people.
Sex plays a large role. Women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression, possibly because of hormonal fluctuations or certain life experiences more common among women, such as caregiving.
Other risk factors for depression include:
- Being diagnosed with a chronic or severe medical condition
- Experiencing chronic or severe stress
- Experiencing trauma, such as abuse or the loss of a loved one
- Having a family history of depression
- Having a personal history of depression or other mental health conditions
- Having certain personality traits, such as low self-esteem or a low tolerance for stress
- Using illegal drugs or drinking alcohol excessively
Treatments for Depression
If you’re experiencing lingering sadness or other symptoms of depression, talk with your primary care provider, who can refer you for specialized behavioral healthcare. At Methodist Medical Group, our providers also collaborate closely with in-house behavioral health consultants to assess individual needs and create personalized treatment plans to address depression.
A behavioral health provider can determine if your symptoms are caused by depression, diagnose the type of depression you have and recommend a treatment plan based on your specific needs.
Many people living with depression benefit from a combination of medication and psychotherapy, also called talk therapy.
Medications
Antidepressants are most commonly used to treat depression. There are multiple types of antidepressants, but most affect levels of brain chemicals that play a role in mood, stress and emotions.
It usually takes a few weeks for antidepressants to take effect, but it can take longer to experience a medication’s full benefits. Antidepressants can also cause unpleasant side effects.
If you feel like your medication isn’t working well or you’re having side effects, talk with your provider about switching to a new medication or changing the dose. Stopping an antidepressant suddenly (even if you feel better) can cause withdrawal symptoms.
Also, if you experience increased suicidal thoughts while taking your medication or you experience symptoms of increased agitation, heightened mood, or intense physical and mental energy, you should call your prescriber immediately or go to the nearest emergency room for assistance staying safe.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is often recommended as part of treatment for depression. Therapists use different types of psychotherapy based on your diagnosis and needs.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most common form of psychotherapy used in treating depression. During CBT sessions, your therapist will help you identify negative thought patterns and develop more positive thinking and other coping mechanisms.
Other types of psychotherapy used in depression treatment include:
- Acceptance and commitment therapy, which helps you set goals according to what is most important to you and move towards them
- Interpersonal therapy, which helps you work through relationship problems
- Psychodynamic therapy, which helps you address painful moments from your past that may contribute to your experiences now
Healthy Lifestyle Changes
Habits that are good for your body are also good for your mind. While lifestyle changes may not fully treat depression, they can help you manage symptoms, so you’re more likely to stick with your treatment plan.
Your medical provider or behavioral health specialist may recommend:
- Avoiding alcohol, since alcohol is a known depressant that can worsen depression symptoms
- Exercising regularly, which can release endorphins that enhance your mood
- Eating a healthy diet
- Finding healthy ways to manage stress
- Prioritizing quality sleep
Get Hep Today!
Talk with your primary care provider about a referral to one of our convenient behavioral health locations. Need a provider? Find one in our directory.
If you or someone you love is experiencing a behavioral health crisis, call or text 988, 24 hours.