Depression

Depression

What is Depression?

Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder (MDD) or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn’t worth living.

What are the types of depression?

Healthcare providers name depression types according to symptoms and causes. These episodes often have no obvious cause. In some people, they can linger much longer than in others for no clear reason. Important types of depression include:

Major depression (clinical depression) has intense or overwhelming symptoms that last longer than two weeks. These symptoms interfere with everyday life.

People with bipolar disorder have alternating periods of low mood and extremely high-energy (manic) periods. During the low period, they may have depression symptoms such as feeling sad or hopeless or lacking energy.

“Perinatal” means around birth. Many people refer to this type as postpartum depression. Perinatal depression can occur during pregnancy and up to one year after having a baby.

Signs & Symptoms

Depression can affect your emotions, mind and body. Depression symptoms include:

Feeling very sad, hopeless or worried

Not enjoying things that used to give you joy

Being easily irritated or frustrated

Changes in how much you sleep

Having a difficult time concentrating or remembering things

Experiencing physical problems like headache, stomach-ache or sexual dysfunction

Thinking about hurting or killing yourself

Feeling very sad, hopeless or worried

Not enjoying things that used to give you joy

Being easily irritated or frustrated

Changes in how much you sleep

Having a difficult time concentrating or remembering things

Experiencing physical problems like headache, stomach-ache or sexual dysfunction

Thinking about hurting or killing yourself

What causes depression?

Various factors can cause depression:

  • Brain chemistry: Abnormalities in brain chemical levels may lead to depression.
  • Genetics: If you have a relative with depression, you may be more likely to become depressed.
  • Life events: Stress, the death of a loved one, upsetting events (trauma), isolation and lack of support can cause depression.
  • Medical conditions: Ongoing physical pain and illnesses can cause depression. People often have depression along with conditions like diabetes, cancer and Parkinson’s disease.
  • Medication: Some medications have depression as a side effect. Recreational drugs and alcohol can also cause depression or make it worse.
  • Personality: People who are easily overwhelmed or have trouble coping may be prone to depression.

How is depression treated?

Depression can be serious, but it’s also treatable. Treatment for depression includes:

  • Self-help: Regular exercise, getting enough sleep, and spending time with people you care about can improve depression symptoms.
  • Counselling: Counseling or psychotherapy is talking with a mental health professional.
  • Alternative medicine: It may include massage, acupuncture, hypnosis and biofeedback.
  • Medication: Prescription medicine can help. Consult your doctor on this.

Can depression be prevented?

There’s no sure way to prevent depression. However, these strategies may help:

Take steps to control stress, to increase your resilience and boost your self-esteem.

Reach out to family and friends, especially in times of crisis, to help you weather rough spells.
Get treatment at the earliest sign of a problem to help prevent depression from worsening.
Consider getting long-term maintenance treatment to help prevent a relapse of symptoms.