Understanding Depression

Did you know? Depression is around 50% more common in women than in men.

Around 29% of adults are diagnosed with depression at some point in their life.

01 | Introduction

Depression, or depressive disorder, is a mental disorder that has negative impacts on how a patient thinks, feels and perceives the world around them. The causes of depression can be complex, as with other mental disorders, since there is a combination of social, psychological and biological factors that can contribute to the disorder. Depression can also lead to increased stress in some patients, affect other existing conditions, and otherwise affect a person’s life.

02 | Symptoms

The regularity of depression episodes can vary from person to person. Whether depression episodes are rare or frequent, some symptoms include:

• Feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
• Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Loss of interest in most or all activities that would normally bring joy
• Anxiety, agitation or restlessness

03 | Types

There are various types of depression depending on the severity, causes and symptoms:

• Clinical depression or major depressive disorder
• Persistent depressive disorder
• Seasonal affective disorder
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
• Prenatal or postpartum depression
• Atypical depression

Depression can also be caused by other conditions (i.e. Parkinson’s disease) or be a part of other mental disorders (i.e. bipolar disorder).

04 | Treatments

There are various treatments for depression, a combination of which can be effective depending on the presentation and patient.

• Medication: antidepressants help many patients, though it’s vital for medical providers to ensure they are aware of any adverse effects associated with the medications.
• Therapy: many patients seek regular therapy to help cope with their symptoms.

Beyond these treatments, helping patients understand the importance of self-care will greatly help the effectiveness of treatment beyond therapy sessions and medication.

Learn More

For more information on depression and supportive resources, please visit psychiatry.org/depression/.

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References

https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9290-depression