What is depression?
Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in things and activities you once enjoyed. It can also cause difficulty with thinking, memory, eating and sleeping.
It’s normal to feel sad about or grieve over difficult life situations, such as losing your job or a divorce. But depression is different in that it persists practically every day for at least two weeks and involves other symptoms than sadness alone.
There are several types of depressive disorders. Clinical depression, or major depressive disorder, is often just called “depression.” It’s the most severe type of depression.
Without treatment, depression can get worse and last longer. In severe cases, it can lead to self-harm or death by suicide. The good news is that treatments can be very effective in improving symptoms.
What are the types of depression?
The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) classifies depressive disorders as the following:
Clinical depression (major depressive disorder): A diagnosis of major depressive disorder means you’ve felt sad, low or worthless most days for at least two weeks while also having other symptoms such as sleep problems, loss of interest in activities or change in appetite. This is the most severe form of depression and one of the most common forms.
Persistent depressive disorder (PDD): Persistent depressive disorder is mild or moderate depression that lasts for at least two years. The symptoms are less severe than major depressive disorder. Healthcare providers used to call PDD dysthymia.
Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD): DMDD causes chronic, intense irritability and frequent anger outbursts in children. Symptoms usually begin by the age of 10.
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD): With PMDD, you have premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms along with mood symptoms, such as extreme irritability, anxiety or depression. These symptoms improve within a few days after your period starts, but they can be severe enough to interfere with your life.
Depressive disorder due to another medical condition: Many medical conditions can create changes in your body that cause depression. Examples include hypothyroidism, heart disease, Parkinson’s disease and cancer. If you’re able to treat the underlying condition, the depression usually improves as well.
There are also specific forms of major depressive disorder, including:
Seasonal affective disorder (seasonal depression): This is a form of major depressive disorder that typically arises during the fall and winter and goes away during the spring and summer.
Prenatal depression and postpartum depression: Prenatal depression is depression that happens during pregnancy. Postpartum depression is depression that develops within four weeks of delivering a baby. The DSM refers to these as “major depressive disorder (MDD) with peripartum onset.”
Atypical depression: Symptoms of this condition, also known as major depressive disorder with atypical features, vary slightly from “typical” depression. The main difference is a temporary mood improvement in response to positive events (mood reactivity). Other key symptoms include increased appetite and rejection sensitivity.
People with bipolar disorder also experience episodes of depression in addition to manic or hypomanic episodes.
Who does depression affect?
Depression can affect anyone — including children and adults. Women and people assigned female at birth are more likely to have depression than men and people assigned male at birth.
Having certain risk factors makes it more likely that you may develop depression. For example, the following conditions are associated with higher rates of depression:
Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
Stroke.
Multiple sclerosis.
Seizure disorders.
Tumors
Macular degeneration.
Chronic pain.
How common is depression?
Depression is common. Researchers estimate that nearly 7% of adults in the United States have depression every year. More than 16% of U.S. adults — around 1 in 6 people — will experience depression at some point in their lifetime.
However, researchers believe that these estimates are lower than reality, as many people don’t seek medical help for symptoms of depression and don’t receive a diagnosis.
Approximately 4.4% of children in the United States have depression.
Symptoms and Causes
Depression symptoms include: Feeling very sad or hopeless, low energy, loss of interest in hobbies, eating changes, sleep changes and more.
Clinical depression is a chronic condition, but it usually occurs in episodes, which can last several weeks or months.
What are the symptoms of depression?
The symptoms of depression can vary slightly depending on the type and can range from mild to severe. In general, symptoms include:
Feeling very sad, hopeless or worried. Children and adolescents with depression may be irritable rather than sad.
Not enjoying things that used to bring joy.
Being easily irritated or frustrated.
Eating too much or too little, which may result in weight gain or weight loss.
Trouble sleeping (insomnia) or sleeping too much (hypersomnia).
Having low energy or fatigue.
Having a difficult time concentrating, making decision or remembering thing.
Experiencing physical issues like headache, stomachache or sensual dysfunction.
Having thought of self-harm or suicide.
If you or a loved one are thinking about suicide, dial 988 on your phone to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Someone will be available to help you 24/7.
What causes depression?
Researchers don’t know the exact cause of depression. They think that several factors contribute to its development, including:
Brain chemistry: An imbalance of neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine, contributes to the development of depression.
Heredity: If you have a first-degree relative (biological parent or sibling) with depression, you are about three times more likely to develop the condition than the general population. However, you can have depression without a family history of it.
Stressful life events: Difficult experiences, such as the death of a loved one, trauma, divorce, loneliness, and lack of support, can trigger depression.
Medical conditions: Chronic conditions such as chronic pain and diabetes can lead to depression.
Medication: Some medications can cause depression as a side effect. Substance use, including alcohol, can also cause or worsen depression.
Diagnosis and tests
How is depression diagnosed?
Healthcare providers diagnose depression based on a thorough understanding of your symptoms, medical history, and mental health history. Depending on the context of your symptoms, they may diagnose you with a specific type of depression, such as seasonal affective disorder or postpartum depression.
To receive a diagnosis of depression, you must have five symptoms of depression every day, almost all day, for at least two weeks.
Your provider may order medical tests, such as blood tests, to see if an underlying medical condition is causing your depressive symptoms.
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