Other Types Of Depression
There are different types of depression, and some conditions where depression may be one of the symptoms. These include:
- postnatal depression sometimes new mothers, fathers or partners develop depression after they have a baby this is known as postnatal depression and it’s treated in a similar way to other types of depression, with talking therapies and antidepressant medicines
- bipolar disorder also known as “manic depression”, in bipolar disorder there are spells of both depression and excessively high mood the depression symptoms are similar to clinical depression, but the bouts of mania can include harmful behaviour, such as gambling, going on spending sprees and having unsafe sex
- seasonal affective disorder also known as “winter depression”, SAD is a type of depression with a seasonal pattern usually related to winter
What Symptoms Are We Talking About Here
Different people will experience different symptoms, and depression is so hard to diagnose because of just that: it can be perceived as a sad phase, a midlife crisis, and rationalized into a direct consequence of, say, job loss, physical illness, financial distress, etc. The takeaway here, though, is that depression is not causal it is not directly linked to specific events in your life. Its a very serious mental condition, one that can lead to extreme impairment or worse, suicide.
Depression is also not self-diagnosable. You need to see a medical professional in order to receive an accurate diagnosis and be guided into a personalized course of treatment. I will go as far as to say that when you are going through a period of clinical depression, you are not able to self-diagnose because you think what you are feeling is normal and what you deserve.
When you are immersed in depression, your body and brain are expending all the little energy they have keeping you alive they are not preoccupied with naming your condition. At this point, they have bigger fish to fry. Thats why it is so important to seek professional help as soon as possible. Time spent mitigating an undiagnosed depression will only worsen the condition. Soon, even the remaining energy will be exhausted and you may further endanger entire body systems , and brain function .
The Treatment Process For Depression
While the symptoms of depression are challenging, its worth keeping at it until you find help.
Clinical depression, even severe depression, is treatable.
Psychotherapy and medications are the most commonly used treatments for depressive disorders, according to the ADAA. For mild to moderate depression, psychotherapy is generally thought to be the first line treatment. For moderate to severe depression, a combination of medications and psychotherapy is often considered.
Many patients more than half of those diagnosed with depression say they tried four or more depression medications in their lifetime, according to the GeneSight Mental Health Monitor.
A pharmacogenomic test, like the GeneSight® test, can help inform a healthcare provider about how a patients genes may impact how they respond to and/or breakdown certain medications. That could include, for example, which medications may require dose adjustments, be less likely to work or have an increased risk of side effects based on a patients genetic makeup. The test must be ordered by a clinician who prescribes medication.
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Depression Can Be Treated
Even the most severe cases of depression can be treated. Depression is commonly treated with medication, psychotherapy , or a combination of the two.
Antidepressants are medications commonly used to treat depression. People respond differently to antidepressants, and you may need to try different medicines to find the one that works best. Researchers also are studying and developing other medications for depression, such as brexanolone for postpartum depression, and esketamine. You can learn about recent developments on these and other medications at NIMH’s Science News webpage under the topic Treatments.
There are many different types of psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal therapy. The particular approach a therapist uses depends on the condition being treated and the training and experience of the therapist. Therapists also may combine and adapt elements of different approaches.
Depression affects each individual differently. There is no one-size-fits-all for treatment. It may take some trial and error to find the treatment that works best. You can learn more about the different types of depression treatment, including psychotherapy, medication, and brain stimulation therapies, on the NIMHs webpage about depression. Visit the Food and Drug Administration website for the latest information on medication approvals, warnings, and patient information guides.
What to Consider When Looking for a Therapist
Tips For Friends And Family
If you have a friend or loved one dealing with depression, you might be wondering if there are things you should look or listen for. The good news, according to Kevin Gilliland, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist and executive director of Innovation360, is you dont need to have a great understanding of what depression feels like to you, just try to be curious about what depression feels like for them.
His advice? Try to understand it enough so that you stay aware of the symptoms and look for the little things that indicate your loved one is doing well or that they are struggling.
Whats most important is that we are trying to care for them and when we are aware of their struggle, we can check on them and ask what we can do to help, Gilliland says.
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Styron Survived His Depression And Left A Guide For Others
Fortunately, he did, and he would write the autobiographical, Darkness Visible, about his depression. Because of that slim, but powerful book, many depressed individuals and their families know what to look for when depression afflicts them.
I will let Styrons own words speak to you and your family.
Styron told us that the pain of severe depression is quite unimaginable to those who have not suffered it. The pain of depression, he felt, kills in many instances because its anguish can no longer be borne.
Depression involves loss, and Styron felt that the greatest loss was that of self-esteem. His sense of self had all but disappeared, along with self-reliance, leaving a sense of self-hatred. In time, a sense of dependency followed, along with a sense of infantile dread and an acute fear of abandonment.
Confusion and memory lapses would follow him throughout the day.
As each day wore on, Styron felt gloom, dread, alienation and, above all, stifling anxiety.
Life for Styron was slipping away at accelerated speed.
Suicidal Thoughts: An Emergency
For people who are severely depressed, suicide is a real threat. Each year, about 30,000 people in the U.S. take their own lives, although the true number may be higher. Some suicides go unrecognized because they’re classified as accidents, drug overdoses, or shootings. Among people whose depression remains untreated, up to 15% will kill themselves.
What are the warning signs of suicide? According to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, they include:
- Talking about wanting to die or wanting to kill yourself
- Looking for a way to kill yourself, such as searching online for methods or buying a gun
- Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
- Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Increasing use of alcohol or drugs
- Acting anxious or agitated behaving recklessly
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Withdrawing or feeling isolated
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
- Displaying extreme mood swings
Recommended Reading: I M Lonely And Depressed
What Depression Feels Like: My Story
How does it feel to be depressed? People experience it in different ways. Major Depressive Disorder may cause people to feel hopeless, fatigued, bored, and guilty. These are just a few of the possible symptoms that a person whos depressed may feel.
In order to meet criteria for clinical depression, you must experience symptoms for at least 2 weeks. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, or DSM-V, the official manual used by mental health professionals, five of the following symptoms must be present to qualify for a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder.
-Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt -Depressed mood -Anhedonia -Significant weight loss or gain that is unintentional or a decrease in appetite -Insomnia or hypersomnia -Psychomotor agitation or retardation -Tiredness, fatigue, or low energy -Difficulty concentrating or indecision -Frequent thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
Approximately 7.1%of American adults experience at least one depressive episode in their lives. Today there is less stigma surrounding mental health conditions however, the public is still woefully uneducated about them.
Contrary to the way much of the public sees this chronic condition, depression doesnt simply refer to a low mood and depression differs from a normal reaction to a loss or negative event. Clinical depression exists as a whole constellation of symptoms.
Should You Worry About Antidepressant Withdrawal
insomniaPsychiatric Times
More to the point, while you should slowly stop your antidepressant with the help of your doctor, antidepressants do not cause dependence and withdrawal like other substances. Unlike substances that are known to cause addiction, such as alcohol, opioids, and barbiturates, people don’t crave antidepressants. You dont get high from them, and they arent intentionally or compulsively overused. Serious reactions like the seizures and agitation that can follow sudden withdrawal from addictive substances are unheard of when these antidepressants are tapered gradually, note the authors of the Psychiatric Times report.
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Depression Feels Like Body Aches
Research has shown that physical symptoms like pain are linked to depression, possibly due to an imbalance of chemical messengers in the brain.
The neurotransmitters that play a role in pain perception, such as serotonin and norepinephrine, are the same ones that play a role in mood regulation, explains Israel.
With depression, the threshold for pain decreases, so you may experience pain in the joints and muscles, she says. You may experience more frequent headaches, joint pain, muscle pain, or fibromyalgia.
Tom Describes His Changed Perception Of The World He Compares This To Living In A Video Game
Absolutely.EMBED CODE
A few people had noticed they were more susceptible to getting ill and said they always had a cold or an infection. For a couple, their weakened immune system was connected to an eating disorder and not eating well. One man experienced overheating and said its likely to be caused by both depression and the medication he was on.
Recommended Reading: Is Major Depressive Disorder Genetic
Increased Fatigue And Sleep Problems
Part of the reason you might stop doing things you enjoy is because you feel very tired. Depression often comes with a lack of energy and an overwhelming feeling of fatigue, which can be among the most debilitating symptoms of depression. This could lead to excessive sleeping.
Depression is also linked with insomnia, as one might lead to the other and vice versa. They can also make each other worse. The lack of quality, restful sleep can also lead to anxiety.
Depression can affect the sexes differently. Research shows that men with depression may have symptoms such as irritability, escapist or risky behavior, substance abuse, or misplaced anger.
Men are also less likely than women to recognize depression or seek treatment for it.
Researchers At The National Institute Of Mental Health And Across The Country Are Dedicated To Womens Mental Health Research
Researchers continue to study depression to improve the way this medical condition is diagnosed and treated. For example, NIMH researchers are currently working to understand how and why changes in reproductive hormones trigger mood disorders, including postpartum depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and perimenopausal depression.
NIMH scientists are conducting a large number of research studies with patients and healthy volunteers to better understand why some women are at higher risk than others, and how they can translate these findings into new treatments or new uses of existing treatments.
Recommended Reading: How To Treat Hormonal Depression
What If My Symptoms Dont Improve
If youre not responding to treatment, you may live with treatment resistant depression. This is when your symptoms have not improved after at least 2 standard treatments. This can also be known as treatment-refractory depression.
There is currently no official criteria used to diagnose treatment resistant depression.
What treatment is available for treatment-resistant depression?There are treatment options for treatment resistant depression. Even if antidepressants have not worked already for you, your doctor may suggest a different antidepressant from a different class.
The new antidepressant you are offered will depend on the first antidepressant you were given.
Sometimes your doctor can prescribe a second type of medication to go with your antidepressant. This can sometimes help the antidepressant work better than it does by itself.
Where antidepressants have not worked, your doctor may suggest talking therapies, ECT or brain stimulation treatments. See the previous section for more information on these.
What is an implanted vagus nerve stimulator, and how is it used in treatment resistant depression?If you live with treatment resistant depression, and youve not responded to other treatments, you may be able ask for an implanted vagus nerve stimulator.
Please speak to your doctor if youre interested in this treatment and for more information. You may be able to get this treatment funded through an Individual Funding Request.
- NHS – Your Rights by clicking here.
What Does Clinical Depression Feel Like
Its like walking through sludge.
It took the form of contained rage.
Its like being trapped inside a deep, dark hole or a tiny box.
When it comes to depression, no two people have exactly the same experience. However, the above words real descriptions of depression from people whove experienced it, as shared in an American Association of Retired Persons article begin to illustrate some of the ways it can feel.
If you think you, a family member or loved one could be dealing with depression, its important to take those feelings seriously.
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What Risks And Complications Can Depression Cause
Having depression can cause other problems. It can affect your mental health as well as your physical health, and it may affect other areas of your life too. For example, depression may cause:
- disturbed sleep,
- difficulties with work and your hobbies,
- difficulties keeping contact with friends and families, or
- suicidal thoughts or thoughts of self-harming.
Some people might also drink more alcohol to try and relieve depression. However, as we said in the previous section above, this can actually make depression worse.
If you have any of these problems, speak to your GP.
Life Events And Depression
Research suggests that continuing difficulties, such as long-term unemployment, living in an abusive or uncaring relationship, long-term isolation or loneliness or prolonged exposure to stress at work can increase the risk of depression.
Significant adverse life events, such as losing a job, going through a separation or divorce, or being diagnosed with a serious illness, may also trigger depression, particularly among people who are already at risk because of genetic, developmental or other personal factors.
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There Are Physical Not Just Mental Symptoms Of Depression
We now also know that depression is more than just a disorder of mood. Ones physical body, with increasing somatic complaints, is also a victim of depression.
For Styron, this meant a condition of helpless stupor, going about during the day as a sleepwalker, yet being unable to sleep at night. There were hypochondrial feelings of pain, feelings of fidgetiness, the disappearance of his voice, his libido, his ability to dream and his ability to write.
Each day, Styron wrote, the gray drizzle of horror induced by my depression, takes on the quality of physical pain.
Though he was given both medications and psychotherapy, Styron needed more.
Styron realized that he had reached that phase of the disorder where all sense of hope had vanished. While he could have endured physical pain, if he was told it would end, Styron realized that it was hopelessness, even more than pain, that crushes the soul.
Styrons rhythmic daily erosion of his mood had left him with despair beyond despair. In great emotional suffering and pain, he wrote that, I did not think such anguish possiblble.
Suicide, he understood, would follow as inescapable as nightfall.
He realizes that the basic question in life was, Is life worth living?
Its May Mental Health Awareness Month
and I have been opening up more than usual about my own mental health: my anxiety disorder, my panic disorder, my proneness to depression.
Ive been very vocal about this not just here on my journal, but also on the podcast, and on social media, Instagram and Clubhouse in particular.
My personal history of generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder and clinical depression goes all the way back to my tweens, when I started being invaded by a sense of not belonging and being a fraud, soon to be caught and exposed by everyone around me . I have, however, not felt the prongs of clinical depression since around 2012. I first started feeling the first symptoms of depression in 2008 and, soon after, and for about two years, I was completely immersed in a very deep clinical depression, one that got me bedridden for months and close to losing twenty pounds, bringing me below the one hundred pound-mark.
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Whats The Difference Between Grief And Depression
Given that the primary symptom associated with depression is sadness, it can be easy to think of grief or bereavement as depression. But grief is a natural response to specific experiences, such as the end of a relationship or the death of a loved one. While you might feel regret or remorse, and you might withdraw from usual activities if you are experiencing grief, youre unlikely to feel the overwhelming sense of worthlessness, thoughts of self-harm or suicide, and other symptoms of depression. Another important difference is that in grief, painful feelings usually come in waves and are often mixed with positive memories.
American Family Physician