Depression

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What is Depression?

Clinically, it’s often referred to as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). It causes persistent and intense feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. It leads to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease a person’s ability to function at work and at home.

The key difference between sadness and depression is that:

· Sadness is a normal, human emotion that comes and goes, usually in response to a specific trigger.
· Depression is a persistent state that lasts for at least two weeks and significantly interferes with daily life.

Symptoms of Depression

To be diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, a person must experience five or more of the following symptoms during the same 2-week period, and at least one of the symptoms must be either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure.

1. Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day. Feeling sad, empty, hopeless, or tearful. (In children and adolescents, this can appear as irritability.)
2. Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day. This is called anhedonia.
3. Significant weight loss or weight gain, or decrease or increase in appetite.
4. Insomnia (difficulty sleeping) or Hypersomnia (sleeping too much).
5. Psychomotor agitation or retardation that is observable by others (e.g., restlessness or slowed movements and speech).
6. Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.
7. Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt.
8. Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness.
9. Recurrent thoughts of death, recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide.

Types of Depressive Disorders

While Major Depression is the most well-known, there are several types:

· Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia): A depressed mood that lasts for at least two years. The symptoms may be less severe but are long-lasting.
· Perinatal & Postpartum Depression: Occurs during pregnancy or after delivery (postpartum). It’s far more severe than the “baby blues.”
· Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Depression that occurs seasonally, usually during the winter months when there is less natural sunlight.
· Depression with Psychotic Features: A severe form of depression accompanied by psychosis, such as delusions (false beliefs) or hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that aren’t there).
· Bipolar Disorder: Involves episodes of depression that alternate with periods of mania (elevated mood and energy). It’s a separate condition, but the depressive phase can look very similar to MDD.

Causes and Risk Factors

Depression doesn’t have a single cause. It’s believed to result from a complex combination of factors:

· Biology: Differences in brain chemistry and neurotransmitter (e.g., serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine) levels.
· Genetics: Depression can run in families.
· Hormones: Changes in hormone balance, such as with thyroid issues, childbirth, or menopause, can trigger depression.
· Brain Structure: Imaging studies show that the brains of people with depression can look different.
· Personality: People with low self-esteem, who are easily overwhelmed by stress, or are generally pessimistic may be more prone.
· Environmental Factors: Continuous exposure to violence, neglect, abuse, or poverty can make someone more vulnerable.
· Life Events: Traumatic events, the loss of a loved one, a difficult relationship, or financial problems can act as triggers.