Understanding Depression
Understanding depression and the effects it has on a person, their family and friends, and our population in general, is critical for diagnosis and treatment. Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the U.S. - The National Institute of Mental Health reported that in 2021, over 21 million American adults had at least one major depressive episode within the past year. Depression affects 8.3% of Americans with women being affected more than men (10.3% compared to 6.2%, respectively). Additionally, adults aged 18-25 are affected more than other ages.
Understanding depression starts with looking at the most current definition and clinical criteria, as put forth by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V):
A person must have 5 or more of the following symptoms present during a 2-week period that represents a change from previous functioning:
- Mood: Depressed mood, feeling sad, empty, or hopeless, or appearing tearful most days
- Interest: Loss of interest or pleasure in most activities
- Energy: Decreased energy, feeling tired, or “slowed down”
- Appetite: Appetite and weight changes, such as significant weight loss or gain, or a decrease or increase in appetite.
- Sleep: Changes in sleep patterns, such as insomnia or sleeping too much
- Psychomotor: Psychomotor retardation or agitation, slowing of physical activity, speech, and thinking, or increased restlessness and irritability
- Other: Suicidal thoughts, feelings of worthlessness or undue guilt, trouble concentrating or making decisions, or not eating or overeating.
The first two symptoms are more commonly thought of as symptoms of depression, and are generally the most common symptoms. However, there are multiple other symptoms of depression, many that manifest as physical symptoms (weight change, irritability, sleep changes). It’s also important to remember that depression can manifest itself differently in each patient. No two cases are the same.
Symptoms of depression can often occur in “episodes”, which can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months, even years in some cases. Much depends on what is triggering a person’s depression. Depression often presents along with other chronic medical conditions, such as substance abuse, chronic diseases like diabetes or COPD or cancer or Parkinson’s, chronic pain, and seizure disorders. For others, it’s triggered by stress from a death, divorce, caring for children, a job, or a big life change. Sometimes, a specific trigger for a patient’s depression isn’t identified, which can be difficult for family members or friends to understand.
The stakes of understanding depression in our society are high. Untreated depression is overwhelmingly the most common cause of suicide, particularly in adolescents and young adults. The good news is that depression is treatable. Initiating psychotherapy (counseling), antidepressant medication, often in combination, has been shown to be effective in decreasing symptoms of depression, reducing risk of suicide, and eventually resolving a depressive episode.
If you are feeling symptoms of depression, contact your primary care provider to discuss it. At Northwest Family Clinics, all of our healthcare providers are trained to provide mental health care to both children and adults (link to list of providers/appointments/services tabs). If you are in crisis and need immediate help, call 9-1-1 or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.