What is Depression?
Depression is a common but serious illness. It is more than just feeling sad or upset for a short time or feeling grief after a loss. Depression changes your thoughts, feelings, behavior, and physical health. It can affect how you relate to your family, friends, and coworkers. It can occur at different times of life or in different situations. It also can occur as part of other disorders.
What are the Symptoms of Depression?
Depression causes a mix of emotional and physical symptoms. You have depression if you have five of the following symptoms most of the day, every day, during the same 2-week period. One of the symptoms must be either sad or depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in previously enjoyed activities:
- Sad or depressed mood
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
- Weight loss when not dieting or weight gain; decrease or increase in appetite
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- Moving more slowly or moving more quickly than usual
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Having trouble thinking, concentrating, or making decisions
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Are There Different Levels of Depression?
Depression can be mild, moderate, or severe. If you have mild depression, it may take extra effort to do what you have to do, but often you can still do those things. With moderate depression, you may not be able to do some of the things you need to do. If you have severe depression, you may not be able to do any of the daily tasks you need to do.
What Causes Depression?
Researchers do not know for certain what causes depression. They do know that depression is a brain disorder in which the parts of the brain that control mood, sleep, and thinking are not functioning properly. Depression may be caused by an imbalance in certain chemicals in the brain.
What Factors Increase the Risk of Depression?
Factors that increase the risk of depression include the following:
- Genetics – A family history (someone in your immediate family has depression) can put you at high risk.
- Hormonal changes – Depression in women may be related to hormonal changes that happen during the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, after childbirth, and at menopause. When depression occurs after childbirth, it is called postpartum depression (see the FAQ Postpartum Depression).
- Stress – Stressful circumstances such as trauma, loss of a loved one, a difficult relationship, unemployment, or abuse may trigger the onset of depression.
- Other illnesses – Some disorders can lead to or occur with depression. Anxiety disorders often occur with depression. Alcohol and drug problems and chronic (long-lasting) pelvic pain also can occur with depression.
How is Depression Diagnosed?
To diagnose your depression, your health care provider will discuss your symptoms, how often they occur, and how severe they are. You also will be asked about your medical history, any medications you are taking, and whether you use drugs or drink alcohol. Certain medications and health conditions, such as an infection or a thyroid disorder, can cause symptoms similar to depression.
How is Depression Treated?
Depression is treated with psychotherapy, medications called antidepressants, or both.
What is Psychotherapy?
In psychotherapy or “talk therapy,” a therapist will work with you to identify problems and suggest ways you might change your behavior to help relieve your symptoms.
You may have one-on-one therapy (with just you and the therapist) or group therapy where you meet with a therapist and other people with problems similar to yours. Another option is family or couples therapy, in which you and family members or your partner may work with a therapist.
What are Antidepressants?
Antidepressants are medications that work to balance the chemicals in the brain that control your moods. There are many types of antidepressants. If one type does not work for you, your health care provider can prescribe another. Drugs often can be combined. It may take some time to find the drug or combination of drugs that works best for you. It often takes at least 3–4 weeks of taking the medication before you start to feel better.
Can Antidepressants Cause Side Effects?
Antidepressants can cause side effects; however, most are temporary and go away after a short time. Listed are some of the most common side effects:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Trouble falling asleep or waking often during the night
- Feeling jittery
- Loss of sex drive
- Difficulty having an orgasm
In teenagers and young adults taking certain kinds of antidepressants, the risk of suicidal thoughts and actions is increased. Close monitoring by a health care provider is necessary while taking these medications.
Can Herbal Supplements Be Used to Treat Depression?
Some people believe that certain herbal supplements, such as the plant St. John’s wort, are effective in treating depression. Research has shown that St. John’s wort does not work for treating major depression. It even can be harmful because it can make some medications, including those taken to treat heart disease, seizures, and certain types of cancer, not work as they should. St. John’s wort also can make birth control pills not work as well.
