Understanding the Signs and Symptoms of One of the Most Common Mental Health Disorders: Depression

Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in the US. It affects approximately 7% of adults at some point in their life which accounts for over 17 million people in the U.S. Symptoms of depression very in severity from mild to severe and impacts your mood, thoughts, and ability to do daily activities. The impact of depression can be seen in Justin’s case below:

Justin is 24 years old and has experienced several changes in his life recently. Approximately one year ago, he graduated from college and obtained a new position approximately 4 hours from his hometown. He struggled saying goodbye to his friends and family when he moved and had a hard time adjusting to his new town and job. Shortly after he moved, Justin learned his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Initially, Justin noticed a change in his mood which he described as more sadness and irritability. He said he gets extremely irritated with his co-workers and occasionally “blows up” in the office. He said he thought it was just a phase but it seemed to get worse. He reported he began struggling to find motivation to do things, such as household chores, projects for work, working out, and going out with friends. He started spending more time alone. Within a few weeks of being at home, he realized he had gained some weight due to emotional eating. He also began feeling extremely tired and sleeping more than normal. Justin decided he needed to get some help when he began feeling hopeless and thinking death would be better than living the way he is currently living.

Depression: Facts and Symptoms

Justin experienced several symptoms that are common with depression but not everyone experiences the same symptoms. Additionally, some people may experience more symptoms and more severe symptoms than others. Depression is characterized by experiencing the following symptoms nearly every day for at least two weeks:

• Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood

• Feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism

• Irritability

• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness

• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities

• Decreased energy or fatigue

• Moving or talking more slowly

• Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still

• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions

• Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping

• Appetite and/or weight changes

• Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

• Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and/or that do not ease even with treatment

Depression is caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors and can occur at any age, but it most commonly begins in adulthood. In children and adolescents, depression tends to present more as irritability and moodiness than sadness. Depression can impact anyone but the risk for developing this condition is higher if:

• There is a family history of depression or mood disorders

• Have a past history of trauma

• Experience significant life changes or stress

• Suffer from certain medical conditions and take medications which increase your risk

Depression may also develop under unique circumstances which trigger the onset of this disorder. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a condition where depression symptoms surface in the winter months and lifts during the spring. SAD typically reoccurs every year at the onset of winter. Postpartum Depression occurs when a woman experiences symptoms of depression during pregnancy or shortly after giving birth. Women may struggle to care for themselves or their children when suffering from Postpartum Depression. The symptoms associated with SAD and Postpartum Depression are similar to those associated with Major Depressive Disorder and often require treatment.

Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder

Depression often requires treatment and can be successfully managed with the right interventions. The earlier treatment for depression begins, the more effective it is in managing symptoms. Depression is usually treated with medications, therapy/counseling, or a combination of the two. Additionally, there are several lifestyle changes one can make to help manage their depression.

• Medication - Antidepressants, such as SSRIs or SNRIs, are used to treat depression. It is important to note these medications take time to reach a therapeutic dose so it can take up to six weeks before someone sees an improvement in their symptoms. Continue taking the medication regularly unless you and your doctor decide it is best to discontinue the medication. People may notice an improvement in their symptoms and stop taking the medication which can lead to symptoms returning. For children and adolescents, suicidal ideation may increase upon starting the medication or changing the dose. It is important to talk with your child’s doctor about these risks and how to manage them if they occur.

• Therapy/Counseling – Several types of therapist are helpful in treating symptoms of depression. Therapy helps people learn skills and address factors, such a major life changes and interpersonal challenges, that may contribute to depression symptoms. Therapy can help increase long-term management of symptoms by helping the person understand how to manage them independently. This can help reduce reliance on medication.

• Lifestyle Changes – There are several lifestyle changes and healthy habits one can do to manage depression symptoms. It is important to note these practices may alleviate mild symptoms of depression but may not be sufficient in treating more severe cases. Practicing the following habits may help a person better manage their symptoms

• Try to be active and exercise.

• Set realistic goals for yourself.

• Try to spend time with other people and confide in a trusted friend or relative. Try not to isolate yourself, and let others help you.

• Expect your mood to improve gradually, not immediately.

• Postpone important decisions, such as getting married or divorced, or changing jobs until you feel better.

• Continue to educate yourself about depression.

Suicide hotlines are an important resource for helping people who suffer from depression during crises. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is free and can be accessed 24/7. Below is the information for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:

• Phone: 1800-273-8255

• Website: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

It is important to get appropriate treatment for depression to get relief from symptoms and help you feel more like yourself. Gateway Behavioral Health Consultants specializes in treating mood disorders in teens and adults through therapy services. Dr. Ritchie will be hosting a live Q&A following this series to answer your questions about treatment for mental health disorders.

For more information about services provided at Gateway Behavioral Health Consultants, click the following link to sign up for our newsletter (https://www.gbhconsultants.com/contact) or contact us at our office via phone (314-325-2685) or email (gbhconsultants@gmail.com).

References:

Depression. (2018, February). Retrieved May 16, 2020, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml

Major Depression. (2019, February). Retrieved May 11, 2020, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression.shtml