Therapy for Depression

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.

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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.

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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 decisions or remembering things.

• Experiencing physical issues like headache, stomachache or sexual dysfunction.

• Having thoughts of self-harm or suicide

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How is depression treated?

Depression is one of the most treatable mental health conditions. Approximately 80% to 90% of people with depression who seek treatment eventually respond well to treatment.

Treatment options include:

• Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy (talk therapy) involves talking with a mental health professional. Your therapist helps you identify and change unhealthy emotions, thoughts and behaviors. There are many types of psychotherapy — cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most common. Sometimes, brief therapy is all you need. Other people continue therapy for several months or years.

• Medication: Prescription medicine called antidepressants can help change the brain chemistry that causes depression. There are several different types of antidepressants, and it may take time to figure out the one that’s best for you. Some antidepressants have side effects, which often improve with time. If they don’t, talk to your healthcare provider. A different medication may work better for you.

• Complementary medicine: This involves treatments you may receive along with traditional Western medicine. People with mild depression or ongoing symptoms can improve their well-being with therapies such as acupuncture, massage, hypnosis and biofeedback.

• Brain stimulation therapy: Brain stimulation therapy can help people who have severe depression or depression with psychosis. Types of brain stimulation therapy include electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS).

There are also things you can do at home to help improve depression symptoms, including:

• Getting regular exercise.

• Getting quality sleep (not too little or too much).

• Eating a healthy diet.

• Avoiding alcohol, which is a depressant.

• Spending time with people you care about.

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This article is medically reviewed by the Cleveland Clinic, to read the full article, click here https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9290-depression