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Depression - overview

  • Definition

    • Depression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for short periods.

      Clinical depression is a mood disorder in which feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration interfere with everyday life for weeks or more.

      Depression Myths and Facts

      1. Which of these may be a symptom of depression?

        1. A. Feeling, sad, worthless, or guilty
        2. B. Fatigue
        3. C. Loss of pleasure
        4. D. Problems doing tasks at home or work
        5. E. Change of appetite
        6. F. All of the above

        The correct answer is all of the above. Depression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, or miserable. Most of us feel this way sometimes for short periods. But depression as a medical condition affects your daily life in a persistent way. Talk with your doctor if you have any of these symptoms, or if you think you may be depressed.

      2. Depression is a state of mind – if you try hard enough, you can snap out of it.

        1. A. Myth
        2. B. Fact

        The correct answer is myth. Depression is a real medical disorder that causes real suffering. Brain scans have shown that certain areas of the brain look different in people with depression. It's unclear what causes the disorder, but an imbalance of brain chemicals or genetics may play a role.

      3. If a friend or loved one talks about suicide, what should you do?

        1. A. Don't be alarmed – suicide is rare
        2. B. Seek professional help immediately
        3. C. Check back tomorrow to see if the person is feeling better

        The correct answer is to seek professional help immediately. Suicide can be prevented with prompt intervention. If you or a loved one feels suicidal, call your doctor right away or call the 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Never try to manage the problem on your own.

      4. Depression is more common in women.

        1. A. Myth
        2. B. Fact

        The correct answer is fact. Hormonal fluctuations throughout a woman’s life may play a role. At puberty, girls have twice the risk for depression than boys. Many women experience mood changes and even depression around their period, after childbirth, and around the time of menopause.

      5. People who are depressed tend to:

        1. A. Eat more than usual
        2. B. Eat less than usual
        3. C.   Either A or B

        The correct answer is either A or B. While some people lose interest in food when they are depressed, others turn to food for comfort and overeat.

      6. Children don't get depressed.

        1. A. Myth
        2. B. Fact

        The correct answer is myth. A depressed child may complain of aches and pains, refuse to go to school, or worry all the time. About one out of every five teenagers has depression at some point in their teens. Note any changes in your teen’s daily routines or behaviors. This can be a sign of depression.

      7. Men may spend more time at work when they are depressed.

        1. A. Myth
        2. B. Fact

        The correct answer is fact. Men often react to depression in different ways than women. They are more likely to work long hours, abuse alcohol or drugs, lose their temper, or behave recklessly.

      8. Which types of talk therapy are effective in treating depression?

        1. A. Support groups
        2. B. Psychotherapy
        3. C. Cognitive-behavioral therapy
        4. D. All of the above

        The correct answer is all of the above. Cognitive-behavioral therapy teaches you how to fight negative thoughts and develop self-awareness and problem-solving skills. Psychotherapy can help you understand the issues behind your thoughts and feelings. Ask your doctor for a recommendation.

      9. Depression can make the symptoms of other illnesses seem worse.

        1. A. Myth
        2. B. Fact

        The correct answer is fact. If you have a health condition like diabetes, depression can make the symptoms more severe. Feeling sad or down also makes it harder for you to do the work needed to manage your illness. Getting help for depression usually makes it easier to successfully treat your condition.

      10. Which of the following is true of antidepressant medicines?

        1. A. Antidepressants usually start working right away.
        2. B. Antidepressants are addictive.
        3. C. If one type of antidepressant doesn't help, chances are another one will
        4. D. You will probably need to take antidepressants for the rest of your life

        The correct answer is if one type of antidepressant doesn't help, chances are another one will. It can take 4 to 12 weeks for it to work fully, so try to be patient. Some benefits start earlier than that. If your medicine isn’t helping, talk to your doctor. Changing to a different antidepressant or adding a second medicine may help.

      11. Depression is very difficult to treat.

        1. A. Myth
        2. B. Fact

        The correct answer is myth. Most patients get better when treated with medicine, talk therapy, or a combination of the two. The first step is to talk to your doctor, who can refer you to a mental health professional. Make that first call, and you will be on the path to your recovery.
  • Alternative Names

    • Blues; Gloom; Sadness; Melancholy
  • Considerations

    • Depression can occur in people of all ages:

      Symptoms of depression include:

      • Low mood or irritable mood most of the time
      • Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
      • A big change in appetite, often with weight gain or loss
      • Tiredness and lack of energy
      • Feelings of worthlessness, self-hate, and guilt
      • Difficulty concentrating
      • Slow or fast movements
      • Lack of activity and avoiding usual activities
      • Feeling hopeless or helpless
      • Repeated thoughts of death or suicide
      • Lack of pleasure in activities you usually enjoy, including sex

      Remember that children may have different symptoms than adults. Watch for changes in school work, sleep, and behavior. If you wonder whether your child might be depressed, talk with your health care provider. Your provider can help you learn how to help your child with depression.

      Depression in children

      The main types of depression include:

      • Major depression. It occurs when feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration interfere with daily life for weeks or longer periods of time.
      • Persistent depressive disorder. This is a depressed mood that lasts 2 years. Over that length of time, you may have periods of major depression, with times when your symptoms are milder.

      Other common forms of depression include:

      Bipolar disorder occurs when depression alternates with mania (formerly called manic depression). Bipolar disorder has depression as one of its symptoms, but it is a different type of mental illness.
  • Causes

    • Depression often runs in families. This may be due to your genes, behaviors you learn at home, or your environment. Depression may be triggered by stressful or unhappy life events. Often, it is a combination of these things.

      Many factors can bring on depression, including:

      • Alcohol or drug abuse
      • Medical conditions, such as cancer or long-term (chronic) pain
      • Stressful life events, such as job loss, divorce, or death of a spouse or other family member
      • Social isolation (a common cause of depression in older adults)
  • When to Contact a Medical Professional

    • Call 911, a suicide hotline, or go to a nearby emergency room if you have thoughts of hurting yourself or others.

      Call your health care provider if:

      • You hear voices that are not there.
      • You cry often without cause.
      • Your depression has affected your work, school, or family life for longer than 2 weeks.
      • You have 3 or more symptoms of depression.
      • You think one of your current medicines may be making you feel depressed. DO NOT change or stop taking any medicines without talking to your provider.
      • If you think your child or teen may be depressed.

      You should also call your provider if:

      • You think you should cut back on drinking alcohol
      • A family member or friend has asked you to cut back on drinking alcohol
      • You feel guilty about the amount of alcohol you drink
      • You drink alcohol first thing in the morning
  • References

    • American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. 2013.

      American Psychiatric Association. Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Major Depressive Disorder. 3rd ed. October 2010. Available at: psychiatryonline.org/pb/assets/raw/sitewide/practice_guidelines/guidelines/mdd.pdf. Accessed: January 25, 2016.

      Fava M, Ostergaard SD, Cassano P. Mood disorders. In: Stern TA, Fava M, Wilens TE, Rosenbaum JF, eds. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 29.

      Walter HJ, Bogdanovic N, Moseley LR, DeMaso DR. Mood disorders. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St. Geme, Schor NF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 26.