More Than The Blues - Causes & Symptoms of Depression
Depression is more than the blues. Every single one of us feels down at times. It’s inevitable and quite normal. In some cases, it helps you process negative situations while also appreciating upbeat moments more. But sometimes, you can’t seem to bounce back from the sadness. If it becomes pervasive and impacts your mood and self-perception, you could be at risk for major depression.
Depression is a very common mental health disorder — impacting nearly 20 million American adults each year. It dominates your life, making it difficult to enjoy even activities you once loved.
What Causes Depression?
Unfortunately, more work has to be done to be more specific about the causes. What is agreed upon is that depression is typically triggered by biological, psychological, and environmental factors that overlap. At the same time, it can appear spontaneously and not present with an identifiable cause.
That said, there is still plenty of helpful information in the area of depression causes, e.g.
While the long-held beliefs related to brain chemistry have been effectively challenged, neurotransmitters still play a role. Research continues.
It’s been found that individuals who have endured hardship related to health, finances, etc. are at a greater risk of depression. The link between depression and childhood trauma, for example, appears to be clear.
Diseases that increase inflammation in our bodies appear to trigger depression or intensify depression that already exists.
More than half of the people who experience a traumatic brain injury (TBI) are diagnosed with major depression within three months of their injury, illness, or accident.
Studies suggest that a genetic predisposition for depression may exist.
Women are diagnosed with depression at twice the rate as men. This could be related to biological factors. In addition, men are typically less likely to report their symptoms. Again, more work is being done.
People who have had at least one depressive episode seem to be at a higher risk of experiencing another such episode. One study found that an individual who has recovered from major depression has a 42 percent of another episode within 20 years.
Signs and Symptoms of Depression
As touched on above, it’s more than the occasional sadness that marks everyone’s life. In order to get a diagnosis of major depression, a person will have to experience at least five of the following symptoms for at least two weeks:
Losing any interest in activities that once pleased you (including sex)
Chronic feelings of despair, emptiness, or worthlessness
Inability to concentrate, focus, and make decisions
Sleep disturbances, ranging from insomnia to sleeping far more than usual
Palpable, noticeable fatigue and listlessness
Saddened dramatic change in your appetite and your weight (with more or less in either case)
Physical changes and behaviors like restlessness, slow movement, pacing, speaking slowly, etc.
Recurrent thoughts about self-harm, death, dying, and suicide
Of course, other causes for such symptoms must be ruled out, for example, substance abuse, nutritional issues, thyroid problems, and more.
Depression Treatment
Since depression can manifest with relentless thoughts and urges toward self-harm, it is critical that you talk to a professional if any of the above resonates with you. If it turns out that you are diagnosed with major depression, your treatment plan will be multi-pronged and can evolve based on results. Talk therapy is a must. Medication is a possibility. Complementary lifestyle changes are crucial. These may include:
Regulating sleep patterns
Smart eating choices
Exercise
Getting creative
Journaling
Alternative modalities like massage and acupuncture
Under the guidance of an experienced counselor, a person with depression can absolutely heal and recover. It all starts when you reach out to get the help you need and deserve. Don't hesitate to reach out for support for depression therapy.