Understanding Depression

Learn About Depression

Everyone will experience sadness, despair, and frustration at some point in their lives. While often upsetting, these emotions can serve as healthy and productive responses to challenging situations. However, when these emotions continue for long periods of time, or happen so regularly or to such a degree that an individual begins struggling with daily functioning, then he or she might be experiencing a depressive disorder. In some instances, those who develop depressive disorders look to self-medicate themselves with alcohol or drugs so they do not have to feel their emotional pain. These attempts to self-medicate can lead to a bevy of negative outcomes, including worsening of depressive symptoms and the onset of a substance use disorder.

Within the category of depressive disorders are a number of disorders that are best described as including feelings of sadness, emptiness, and/or irritability that are connected to somatic and cognitive changes. The top four most common types of depressive disorders are major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and substance/medication-induced depressive disorder.

Major depressive disorder: Those who experience five or more of the following symptoms for the majority of the day almost every day during a two-week period of time, and who then experience distress or functional impairments because of these symptoms, likely meet the criteria needed to diagnose major depressive disorder:

Recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal ideation, planning for suicide, or attempting suicide
Depressed mood
Indecisiveness or diminished ability to think or concentrate
Feelings of worthlessness and/or excessive or inappropriate guilt
Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all or most activities
Fatigue or loss of energy
Significant change in appetite or unintentional change in weight
Psychomotor retardation or agitation
Hypersomnia or insomnia

Persistent depressive disorder: Within the newest publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), symptoms that were once linked to chronic major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder were merged into persistent depressive disorder. The criteria needed for persistent depressive disorder to be diagnosed include depressed mood more days than not for the majority of the day over at least two years, plus at least two of the symptoms listed below:

Poor self-esteem
Sense of hopelessness
Fatigue or low energy
Poor concentration and/or problems making decisions
Overeating or poor appetite
Disrupted sleep patterns, including insomnia or hypersomnia

Within the two-year period that these symptoms are occurring, an individual who has persistent depressive disorder will not be without symptoms for more than two months.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: The primary features of this form of depressive disorder include repeated occurrences of mood instability, dysphoria, anxiety symptoms, and irritability before a woman’s menstrual cycle. Symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder will lessen following the onset of menses. In order for a clinical diagnosis of premenstrual dysphoric disorder to be provided, an individual must have five of the below listed symptoms, including at least one from each specific group:

Group 1

Anxiety, tension, and/or feelings of being on edge
Mood swings or increased sensitivity to rejection
Increased irritability or anger
Depression, hopelessness, and self-deprecating thoughts

Group 2

Decreased interest in usual activities
Breast tenderness or swelling, joint or muscle pain, weight gain, and other physical symptoms
Problems with concentration
Feeling overwhelmed
Lethargy, fatigue, or significant lack of energy
Disrupted sleep patterns, including hypersomnia or insomnia
Dramatic change in appetite, including overeating or specific food cravings

For this disorder to be properly diagnosed, the individual must also have experienced these symptoms throughout the majority of her menstrual cycles within the past 12 months.

Substance/medication-induced depressive disorder: The diagnosis of this form of depressive disorder is dependent on the following:

The disturbance does not occur exclusively during delirium, and the disturbance causes stress or impairment in an individual’s ability to function
Prominent and persistent depressed mood or dramatically lessened interest and/or pleasure in all activities
The disturbed mood is not better explained by a non-substance-related depressive disorder
Evidence shows that the symptoms being experienced happen during or soon after substance intoxication or withdrawal, and the substance is able to produce these symptoms

Depressive disorders can lead to a great deal of psychological pain, and can be tremendously impactful on an individual’s life in a negative way. However, depressive disorders can be treated. With the appropriate professional care, those who have major depressive disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, persistent depressive disorder, or substance/medication-induced depressive disorder can triumph over their upsetting symptoms and develop happy, healthy lives.

Statistics

Depression Statistics

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) states that major depression impacts about 14.8 million adults within the country, or roughly 6.7% of individuals ages 18 and older. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reports that depression amongst adults commonly occurs between ages 18-25, followed closely behind the 26-49 age group. After that comes the 50-and-above age group. Depressive disorders are more common in adult women than adult men. The 12-month prevalence of a major depressive episode is 8.1% for adult women, while it only affects approximately 5.1% of adult men in the country.

Causes and Risk Factors

Causes and Risk Factors for Depression

The development of a depressive disorder can be brought on by a number of causes and risk factors that often coincide with one another. Below are some of the more common influences that can determine whether or not an individual develops a depressive disorder:

Genetic: Depression has a strong genetic link. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) states that the risk of developing major depressive disorder is 400% higher amongst those who have close family members with this disorder.

Environmental: Some of the most common environmental influences on the development of a depressive disorder include adverse childhood experiences and stressful life events. One’s environment can also impact an individual’s likelihood of major depressive disorder if his or her environment has provided a history of numerous types of these events and experiences.

Risk Factors:

Trauma
Gender (depression is more common among women than men)
Substance abuse
Age (depression is more common within the 18-29 age group)
Loss of parent through separation, divorce, or death
Negative affectivity
Family history of depression

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

The appearance of a depressive disorder will vary based on a number of factors, including the history of the afflicted individual and the type of depressive disorder he or she is facing. Below are some of the most common signs that can indicate that an individual is battling with a depressive disorder:

Behavioral symptoms: