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Depression is becoming a grave problem with each passing day. According to an estimate by the National Institute of Mental Health, around 7% of people in the United States had at least one major depressive episode in the year 2019. Though there's no "one size fits all" cure for it, this condition is very much treatable. In fact, even the most severe cases can be treated with the right approach. All you need is to find a treatment method that works for you.The treatment of this condition depends a lot on the level of severity you are experiencing. Hence the treatment is categorized into mild, mild to moderate, and moderate to severe. But no matter how grave your situation feels, you can always reach out for help. We at DocVita have various certified professionals from different fields of expertise who can guide you through counseling sessions and therapy. So, if you feel like your depression is overwhelming you and it's getting better of you, don't hesitate to reach out to our qualified therapists and psychiatrists.
The Different Types
This condition can be classified into six broad categories:- Major Depressive disorder (MDD) - Major Depressive disorder (MDD) is commonly referred to as Clinical Depression. It is a condition that severely affects your moods, behavior, and physical aspects like your appetite or sleep. The major symptoms of MDD are constant feelings of sadness, restlessness, irritability, loss of interest, sudden weight gain or loss (which has nothing to do with the appetite), unusual changes in the sleep cycle, lack of energy, impaired decision making and constant thoughts of self-harm. So, if you experience five or more of these symptoms in a period of around two weeks, you are most likely suffering from MDD.
MDD can be diagnosed by the therapist/ psychiatrist based on your symptoms, behavior, and feelings. In most cases, you'll be given a questionnaire to fill, based on which you'll be diagnosed with MDD. MDD is treated mainly using medications and psychotherapy. But apart from that, you also need to make specific lifestyle changes. - Persistent depressive disorder (PPD) - Persistent depressive disorder is a condition in which the person has at least 2 of the symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) for a consecutive period of 2 years. A person can even fluctuate between MDD and PDD simultaneously, and this condition is known as Double Depression. A person suffering from PPD has mood characteristics that include crankiness, pessimism, and sullenness.
- Bipolar disorder - Bipolar disorder or manic depressive disorder is a condition in which a person experiences moods in extremes. He/she fluctuates between highs (mania) and lows (depression) along with experiencing normal states of being. According to the National Institute of Mental Health data, around 2.8 percent of people in the United States suffer from this disorder.
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) -> Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a mental health condition that occurs at the same time every year. It starts at the onset of the fall season and continues till the winter season. This happens due to the lack of proper sunlight in these months. SAD is often accompanied by the symptoms like increased sleep, weight gain, and high -food cravings.
- Premenstrual dysmorphic disorder (PMDD) - Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a condition that affects menstruating women. It starts approximately two weeks before the onset of their period and subsides 2 or 3 days after the onset of their period.
- Postpartum depression (PPD) - Postpartum depression occurs in women shortly after they give birth. It occurs due to sharp changes in hormone levels. The symptoms of PPD include sadness, exhaustion, and anxiety.
What Are the Major Causes?
There's no one particular cause for this condition. It's quite subjective and depends on many factors like biological, social, and psychological. So, it isn't easy to pinpoint one particular cause for it.Here's a list of factors that cause it:
- Genetic predisposition - Genes can play a role in deciding whether or not you'll have this condition. According to a journal published by Nature Neuroscience that studied the impact of genes on depression in more than 2 million people, it was found that 269 genes were linked to it. Though genes aren't a standalone factor in determining if a particular person will develop it, it's definitely a deciding factor. Hence people with certain gene dispositions are more prone to it.
- Inflammation - Inflammation is one of the contributing factors to this condition. Various studies have been conducted that point out that inflammation due to disease or stress leads to changes in the brain. This can trigger or aggravate depressive episodes in people with inflammation in their bodies. It also influences the impact any drug therapy has on that particular person.
- Neurotransmitters - Neurotransmitters have a crucial role in deciding if a person will suffer from this condition. If you are wondering what neurotransmitters are, they are chemical messengers in your brain that communicate with the neurons. According to the latest studies, it has been found that a particular nerve cell connection or growth or malfunction in nerve circuits can activate depression in a person.
- Traumatic brain disorder (TBI) - Traumatic brain disorder is one major cause of depression. People who have had a head injury or blow due to falls, accidents, assaults, sports-related injuries, etc., are more prone to develop this condition within three months of sustaining their injury.
- Contributing factors - There are various contributing factors apart from the main causes. These include social and psychological factors like lack of nutrition, physical or emotional abuse, social isolation, stressful job, marriage issues, career issues, etc. According to a research study published in Translational Psychiatry journal, it was found that people with MDD had twice the rate of childhood trauma when compared with people without MDD. This proves how psychological factors like trauma trigger depression in people.
How to Recover From Your Symptoms
Though this condition isn't a "one size fits all" kind of ailment. The road to recovery is subjective. It varies from patient to patient. Some may recover in a few weeks, while others in a few months, so it's important to keep that perspective in mind. But despite all this, there are many things you can do that can help you shift gears.Here're seven powerful ways that can help you recover from your symptoms:
- Lifestyle changes - Lifestyle changes are probably one of the most important factors that can help you recover from the symptoms of this ailment. Following a routine is extremely important when it comes to warding off your symptoms. You may not feel like getting out of bed and doing your morning yoga, but you have to push through that inertia if you want to get better. So, make it a point to follow an exercise routine, maintain a proper sleep cycle, and have a healthy, nutritious diet daily.
- Self-care -Self-care is non-negotiable when it comes to overcoming your symptoms. So what exactly falls under self-care? Anything that makes you feel good and leads to improvement in your mental health can be a part of your self-care routine. It can be a good night's sleep, a spa or a self-pampering session, or spending time in nature. It can even be activities like singing, dancing, cooking, painting, or any activity that can help you unwind.
- Exercise - Exercise plays an extremely vital role in warding off your symptoms. Various researches have proven this time and time again. In fact, it's said to be as effective as medication. If doing intensive exercise seems overwhelming to you right now, just begin with 10 minutes of exercise every day. This will ensure that you feel upbeat and energetic for up to 2 hours. Have an exercise partner who can motivate you to push through your resistance. But, just get started.
- Use of antidepressants - The use of antidepressants can be very effective in the case of MDD. These antidepressants lead to specific changes in the brain's neurochemistry, affecting how the neurons communicate with each other. Some popularly used antidepressants are SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake), SNRIs (Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors), TCAs (Tricyclic Antidepressants), and MAOIs (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors). It requires a few trials and errors to find the one that works for you.
- Combination therapy - Combination therapy involves using a combination of both psychotherapy and medications to treat your symptoms. This is one of the most popular treatment methods used by most psychiatrists in the past decade.
- CBT - Cognitive Behavioral therapy is a method of treatment that involves changing the specific negative thought patterns of the affected person. It requires the person to identify, challenge, and replace these negative thoughts with objective and realistic thoughts.
Find Help From a Psychotherapist Who's Right For You
Finding the right psychotherapist is vital for your treatment. The right therapist is the one with whom you can establish a connection so that it becomes easy for you to share your issues. But this may take some time. You need to give at least 3 to 4 sessions with a therapist to build that sort of connection and trust.If you are unable to connect with them for 3-4 sessions, you can definitely switch to another therapist. You can find the list of various therapists/psychiatrists on our website. You can easily pick and choose from the various specialists with different qualities like being a good listener, empathetic, caring, and helpful.