NABHS has the best collated resources for depression symptoms, types, tests and list of psychologists in your area who can help you deal with this!
Depression Is The New Pandemic
According to data by World Health Organization, 3.8% of the population experience depression, including 5% of adults.
Major depression is the most common mental illness and impacts 21 million American adults every year. 3.7 million or 15% of youth from ages 12-17 also face depression (Source: Mental Health America).
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Different Types of Depression
DSM- V (Diagnostic And Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) classify different types of depression under Depressive Disorders. These include-
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
- Substance/Medication-Induced Depressive Disorder
- Depressive Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition
Want to know more about dealing with adolescent depression? Read here!
Risk Factors of Depression
There can be many underlying factors of depression, some of them being-
- Genetics: Depression can run in families, and certain genes may increase the risk of depression in a person substantially.
- Life events: Traumatic or stressful life events, that have caused a loss of a loved one, a relationship break up, or a major life change can trigger depression.
- Medical conditions: Depression risk can be increased by chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, cancer, or heart disease.
- Substance abuse: Alcohol or drug addiction can majorly affect a person and increase depression risks.
- Personal and emotional factors: Low self-esteem, a lack of social support, and negative thought patterns serve the purpose of adding fuel to the fire of depression.
- Environmental factors: Living in poverty, homelessness, or being subjected to abuse or violence can increase the risk of depression.
- Other mental health conditions: Having a history of other mental health conditions like anxiety can increase the risk of depression.
Poor air quality can also be causing your depression! What does the study say? Find out more.
What Can Worsen Your Depression?
- Social Isolation
- Substance Abuse
- Lack of Exercise
- Poor Sleep Habits
- Negative Self-Talk
- Chronis Stress
- Poor Diet
Read the entire blog here.
Symptoms of Depression
Symptoms of depression usually vary from one disorder to the other, depending on the type, intensity, causal factor and age. However, most of them include the two underlying symptoms-
- Presence of sad, empty, or irritable mood,
- Accompanied by somatic and cognitive changes that significantly affect the individual’s capacity to function
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
- presentation of children with persistent irritability and frequent episodes of extreme behavioral dyscontrol
- Children upto 12 years of age
- severe recurrent temper outbursts manifested verbally (e.g., verbal rages) and/or behaviorally (e.g., physical aggression toward people or property) that are grossly out of proportion in intensity or duration to the situation or provocation.
Major Depressive Disorder
- discrete episodes of at least 2 weeks’ duration
- changes in affect, cognition, and neurovegetative functions and inter-episode remissions.
- depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either subjective report (e.g., feels sad, empty, hopeless) or observation made by others (e.g., appears tearful)
- insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day
- fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.
- feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (which may be delusional) nearly every day (not merely self-reproach or guilt about being sick). –
- diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day (either by subjective account or as observed by others).
- recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide.
Persistent Depressive Disorder (dysthymia)
- can be diagnosed when the mood disturbance continues for at least 2 years in adults or 1 year in children
- Presence, while depressed, of two (or more) of the following:
- Poor appetite or overeating.
- Insomnia or hypersomnia.
- Low energy or fatigue.
- Low self-esteem.
- Poor concentration or difficulty making decisions.
- Feelings of hopelessness.
Living in a cluttered and dirty space can cause your depression symptoms to get worse! How? Find out here!
Treatment for Depression
Treatment for Depression
Depression is a treatable condition and there are several options for rehabilitation and treatment which include:
- Psychotherapy: This includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT), which can help patients of depression understand and change negative thought patterns and behaviors.
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): This procedure is used in very severe cases of depression and involves applying a small electric current to the brain to trigger a brief seizure.
Could Ketamine be the answer to your depression? Find out here!
- Light therapy: This treatment involves exposure to bright light for a set period of time each day and can be helpful for people with seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Inpatient Rehab can be the answer to Depression! How? Read more to find out.
- Exercise and physical activity: According to studies, regular exercise has been shown to have a positive impact on depression symptoms.
- Mindfulness-based therapies: Such as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), can be helpful to develop mindfulness skills and reduce symptoms of depression in a person.
- Support groups: Talking to people who are also dealing with depression can provide a sense of community and support.
Depending on the patient and the severity of their depression, the healthcare professionals will plan the right treatment strategy which will combine a number of these options in a friendly and safe environment for better and faster recovery.
How can You Deal With Depression? Read here!
Are you battling depression and seeking the right resources to navigate through it? Get connected with experienced depression therapists who can guide you towards healing and recovery. We, at NABHS are here to help.
Can detaching be the solution to your Depression? Find out here!
