Depression
Everyone feels sad or down from time to time. Maybe you lost your job or your pet recently passed away. It is common, and even natural, to feel sadness after stressful life events. However, if things do not get better after time, or your feelings start to interfere with your daily life, then it could be depression.
Depression is when a low mood goes beyond the normal ups and downs and lasts 2 weeks or longer at a time.
Depression is hard.
If you are depressed, you are not alone. Depression is a common and serious mental illness. Depression can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, race, culture, educational background, or income.
Depression can make you feel continuously burdened and lose the joy you would typically have in things. However, depression isn’t always sadness. It can also manifest as anger, exhaustion, hopelessness, worthlessness, and a plethora of other emotions. Ultimately, depression can cause severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and interact with life and others.
If you think that you could be experiencing symptoms of depression, it is important to reach out for help. The sooner you seek support, the sooner you will feel better. Treatment for depression is effective; between 70% and 90% of people with depression eventually respond well to treatment.
Types of Depression
Depression isn’t a one kind fits all diagnosis. There are many different types of depression ranging from Major Depressive Disorder to Premenstrual Dysphoric Depression. Knowing what type of depression you may have can help you find the right coping skills and treatment for yourself.
Major Depression
This is the most common diagnosis for depression. In MDD, you must experience symptoms almost every day for more than 2 weeks. The symptoms must also be severe enough to impact your daily life. MDD doesn’t go away over time and often reoccurs later in life.
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
DMDD is a condition characterized by persistent irritability, anger, and frequent, severe temper outbursts that are disproportionate to the situation.
SMID is a depressed mood or significant loss of interest or pleasure that develops during or soon after substance intoxication or withdrawal and is directly physiologically caused by the substance.
Substance / Medication Induced Depression
Persistent Depressive Disorder
Persistent Depressive Disorder is often less severe than major depression. However, it lasts for at least 2 years and during that time, you do not have a major depression episode.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Depression
PMDD is severe form of premenstrual syndrome involving significant mood disturbances, such as depression, anxiety, and irritability, that occur in the week or two before menstruation and typically improve within a few days after the period starts.
but what if....
I'm Not Depressed?
Sometimes, when someone is depressed, they might not even realize they're sick. If you see your friend or family member acting different, always sad or tired, they might need help, even if they don't know it.
What can I do?
Learning about depression not only helps you identify if you could be depressed, it helps you recognize if a friend or family member might be depressed. If you think that a friend or family member is depressed, you can support them.
Sometimes it can be difficult to know what to say, so here are some examples to help you on your way.
Encourage them to get treatment
"It's okay to not be okay. What you're going through sounds really difficult, and you don't have to go through it alone. There's no shame in seeking help. Lots of people benefit from therapy or medication, or both. I'm here for you, whatever you decide."
