Understanding Depression

Learn About Depression

Depression is a mental health disorder that is characterized by a persistent depressed mood. This often debilitating disorder can manifest into a multitude of symptoms including extreme sadness, hopelessness, feelings of emptiness, diminished interest in things once enjoyed, and an overall loss of energy. Furthermore, those who struggle with depression may experience psychomotor agitation, changes in appetite and weight, as well as a diminished ability to think clearly or make even simple decisions. Thoughts of death, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts are unfortunately, also common among those who are struggling with depression.

When depression is present, regular functioning within multiple areas of life can be significantly impaired and has the potential to result in a number of ill effects. In some cases, those with severe depression are unable to even attend to basic care needs. Fortunately, while depression can be an extremely debilitating disorder, this disorder can be effectively treated. There are many different treatment options available for depression, including medication, that have helped individuals successfully overcome the symptoms of depression and go on to lead a happier future.

Co-Occurring Disorders

Depression and Co-Occurring Disorders

Many individuals who have been diagnosed with depression are unfortunately also struggling with the symptoms of an additional mental health disorder. Some of the disorders that depression most frequently occurs with include:

Substance use disorder
Panic disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Eating disorders
Borderline personality disorder
Learning disorders
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Statistics

Depression Statistics

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), about 7% of all adults in the United States have experienced at least one major depressive episode within the previous 12 months. This breaks down to about 16 million individuals over the age of 18.

Causes and Risk Factors

Causes and Risk Factors for Depression

While there is no single cause for depression, research has identified certain factors that seem to increase an individual’s vulnerability for the development of this disorder. Some of the most commonly cited causes and risk factors include:

Genetic: Those who have first-degree relatives who have struggled with depression are two to four times more likely to develop depression at some point in their life, when compared to the general population. Heritability accounts for about 40% and the specific personality trait, neuroticism, makes up a substantial portion of this genetic risk factor.

Environmental: Adverse childhood experiences and stressful life events have been known to play a role in the development of depression, especially when an individual lacks effective coping skills. For example, being abused or neglected as a child, losing a close loved one, witnesses a crime or other traumatic events, or experiencing financial difficulties can all place an individual at an increased risk for the onset of depression.

Risk Factors:

Being a woman
Having depression as a child
Personal history of certain mental health conditions
Substance abuse and addiction
Having blood relatives with a history of depression
Low self-esteem, self-critical, or being overly dependent
Having a serious chronic illness
Social isolation
Low socioeconomic status
Certain medications (for example, some blood pressure meds or sleeping pills)

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

The signs and symptoms associated with depression will present differently in each individual who is struggling with this disorder. While one individual may have an extremely difficult time sleeping, another individual may sleep much more than normal. Some of the most common signs and symptoms experienced by those with depression include:

Behavioral symptoms:

No longer has an interest in participating in activities once enjoyed
Tendency to respond to events with angry outbursts
Out-of-character emotional outbursts
Blames others
Socially withdrawn
Slowed speech and body movements
Frequent absences from work
Loss of interest in sex
Restlessness

Physical symptoms:

Insomnia and fatigue
Weight changes
Psychomotor disturbances
Changes in appetite
Decreased energy
General somatic complaints (body aches and pains)
Decreased energy levels
Change in sleep patterns (sleeping too much or not enough)

Cognitive symptoms:

Difficulty thinking
Hard time concentrating
Problems making decisions
Recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideation
Memory problems

Psychosocial symptoms:

Feelings of worthlessness and guilt
Anxiety
Increased irritability
Exaggerated sense of frustration
Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness
Self-hatred and/or intense self-criticism
Changes in temperament
Increased anger

Effects

Effects of Depression

Depression, especially when not properly treated, has the ability to cause a significant amount of disruption in an individual’s life. Impairment associated with the symptoms of depression can range from very mild to complete incapacitation, in which the depressed individual becomes unable to attend to even basic self-care needs. The following are among the more common effects of depression: