Depression

Everyone feels sad or low sometimes, but these feelings usually pass with a little time. Depression is different. It can cause severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. It is an illness that can affect anyone regardless of age, race, income, culture, or education. Research suggests that genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors play a role in depression.

Depression may occur with other mental disorders and illnesses like diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and chronic pain. Depression can make these conditions worse, and vice versa. Sometimes medications taken for these illnesses cause side effects that contribute to depression symptoms.

If you or someone you know is in immediate distress or is thinking about hurting themselves, CALL or TEXT the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or the toll-free TTY number at 1-800-799-4TTY (4889). or go to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website at https://988lifeline.org

Two common forms of depression are:

● Major depression, which includes symptoms of depression most of the time for at least 2 weeks that typically interfere with one’s ability to work, sleep, study, and eat.

● Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) often includes less severe symptoms of depression that last much longer, typically for at least 2 years.

Other forms of depression include:

● Perinatal depression occurs when a woman experiences major depression during pregnancy or after delivery (postpartum depression). For more information, visit www.nimh.nih.gov/perinataldepression.

● Seasonal affective disorder comes and goes with the seasons, typically starting in late fall and early winter and going away during spring and summer. For more information, visit www.nimh.nih.gov/SAD.

● Depression with symptoms of psychosis, a severe form of depression where a person experiences psychosis symptoms, such as delusions (disturbing, false fixed beliefs) or hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that others do not see or hear). For more information about psychosis, visit www.nimh.nih.gov/psychosis. Individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder (formerly called manic depression or manic-depressive illness) also experience depression.

If you or someone you know is in immediate distress or is thinking about hurting themselves, CALL or TEXT the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or the toll-free TTY number at 1-800-799-4TTY (4889). or go to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website at https://988lifeline.org

For more information about this mood disorder, visit www.nimh.nih.gov/bipolardisorder.

Common symptoms of depression include:

● Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood

● Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism

● Feelings of irritability, frustration‚ or restlessness

● Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness

● Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies or activities

● Decreased energy, fatigue, or being “slowed down”

● Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions

● Difficulty sleeping, early morning awakening, or oversleeping

● Changes in appetite or unplanned weight changes

● Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and that do not ease even with treatment

● Suicide attempts or thoughts of death or suicide

If you or someone you know is in immediate distress or is thinking about hurting themselves, CALL or TEXT the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or the toll-free TTY number at 1-800-799-4TTY (4889). or go to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website at https://988lifeline.org

To be diagnosed with depression, an individual must have five depression symptoms every day, nearly all day, for at least 2 weeks. One of the symptoms must be a depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure in almost all activities. Children and adolescents may be irritable rather than sad.

If you think you may have depression, talk to your health care provider. Primary care providers routinely diagnose and treat depression and refer individuals to mental health professionals, such as psychologists or psychiatrists.

During the visit, your provider may ask when your symptoms began, how long they last, how often they occur, and if they keep you from going out or doing your usual activities. It may help to make some notes about your symptoms before your visit. Certain medications and some medical conditions, such as viruses or a thyroid disorder, can cause the same depression symptoms. Your provider can rule out these possibilities by doing a physical exam, interview, and lab tests.

Find tips to help prepare for and get the most out of your visit at www.nimh.nih.gov/ talking tips. For additional resources, visit the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality website at www.ahrq.gov/questions.

If you or someone you know is in immediate distress or is thinking about hurting themselves, CALL or TEXT the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or the toll-free TTY number at 1-800-799-4TTY (4889). or go to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website at https://988lifeline.org

Depression can affect people differently, depending on their age.

Children with depression may be anxious, cranky, pretend to be sick, refuse to go to school, cling to a parent, or worry that a parent may die.

Older children and teens with depression may get into trouble at school, sulk, be easily frustrated‚ feel restless, or have low self-esteem. They also may have other disorders, such as anxiety and eating disorders, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, or substance use disorder. Older children and teens are more likely to experience excessive sleepiness (hypersomnia) and increased appetite (hyperphagia). In adolescence, females begin to experience depression more often than males, likely due to the biological, life cycle, and hormonal factors unique to women.

Younger adults with depression are more likely to be irritable, complain of weight gain and hypersomnia, and have a negative view of life and the future. They often have other disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, panic disorder, and substance use disorders.

Middle-aged adults with depression may have more depressive episodes, decreased libido, middle-of-the-night insomnia, or early morning awakening. They also may more frequently report having gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea or constipation.

Older adults with depression commonly experience sadness or grief or may have other less obvious symptoms. They may report a lack of emotions rather than a depressed mood. Older adults also are more likely to have other medical conditions or pain that may cause or contribute to depression. In severe cases, memory and thinking problems (called pseudodementia) may be prominent.

If you or someone you know is in immediate distress or is thinking about hurting themselves, CALL or TEXT the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or the toll-free TTY number at 1-800-799-4TTY (4889). or go to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website at https://988lifeline.org

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration provides the Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator, an online tool for finding mental health treatment and support groups in your area, available at https://findtreatment. samhsa.gov. For additional resources, visit www.nimh.nih.gov/findhelp.

If you or someone you know is in immediate distress or is thinking about hurting themselves, CALL or TEXT the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or the toll-free TTY number at 1-800-799-4TTY (4889). or go to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website at https://988lifeline.org

Once you see your doctor and begin treatment, you should gradually start to feel better. Go easy on yourself during this time. Try to do things you used to enjoy. Even if you don’t feel like doing them, they can improve your mood. Other things that may help:

● Try to get some physical activity. Just 30 minutes a day of walking can boost mood.

● Try to maintain a regular bedtime and wake-up time.

● Eat regular, healthy meals.

● Do what you can as you can. Decide what must get done and what can wait.

● Try to connect with other people and talk with people you trust about how you are feeling.

● Postpone important life decisions until you feel better.

● Avoid using alcohol, nicotine, or drugs, including medications not prescribed for you.

If you or someone you know is in immediate distress or is thinking about hurting themselves, CALL or TEXT the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or the toll-free TTY number at 1-800-799-4TTY (4889). or go to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website at https://988lifeline.org

If someone you know has depression, help them see a health care provider or mental health professional. You also can:

● Offer support, understanding, patience, and encouragement.

● Invite them for walks, outings, and other activities.

● Help them stick to their treatment plan, such as setting reminders to take prescribed medications.

● Make sure they have transportation to therapy appointments.

● Remind them that, with time and treatment, the depression will lift.

Take comments about suicide seriously, and report them to your loved one’s health care provider or therapist. If they are in immediate distress or thinking about hurting themselves, call 911 for emergency services or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

All information on this page was from The National Institute of Mental Health: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/sites/default/files/documents/health/publications/depression/21-mh-8079-depression_0.pdf

If you or someone you know is in immediate distress or is thinking about hurting themselves, CALL or TEXT the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or the toll-free TTY number at 1-800-799-4TTY (4889). or go to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website at https://988lifeline.org

A safety plan is designed to guide you through a crisis. You can help yourself and feel safer as you proceed through the steps. Keep your plan easily accessible in case you have thoughts of hurting yourself.

Copy and paste the link below to make your Safety Plan.

https://988lifeline.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/National_SPA.pdf?_ga=2.11015476.1470148923.1663204940-2038297884.1662511833

If you or someone you know is in immediate distress or is thinking about hurting themselves, CALL or TEXT the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or the toll-free TTY number at 1-800-799-4TTY (4889). or go to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website at https://988lifeline.org

All information on this page was written and gathered from 988lifeline.org.