Major Depression
What is depression?
Depression is a serious mood disorder that affects your whole body including your
mood and thoughts. It touches every part of your life. It’s important to know that
depression is not a personal weakness or character flaw. Treatment is often needed.
Once you've had an episode of depression, you are at risk of having more throughout
life. If you don’t get treatment, depression can happen more often and be more serious.
What causes depression?
Researchers are studying the causes of depression. Several factors seem to play a
role. It may be caused by chemical changes in the brain. It also tends to run in families.
Depression can be triggered by life events or certain illnesses. It can also develop
without a clear trigger.
What are the symptoms of depression?
While each person may experience symptoms differently, these are the most common symptoms of
depression:
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Lasting sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
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Loss of interest in almost all activities
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Appetite and weight changes
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Changes in sleep patterns, such as inability to sleep or sleeping too much
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Slowing of physical activity, speech, and thinking OR agitation, increased restlessness,
and irritability
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Decreased energy, feeling tired or "slowed down" almost every day
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Ongoing feelings of worthlessness or feelings of undue guilt
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Trouble concentrating or making decisions
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Repeating thoughts of death or suicide, wishing to die, or attempting suicide ( Note: This needs emergency treatment.)
If you have 5 or more of these symptoms for at least 2 weeks, you may be diagnosed
with depression. These symptoms would be a noticeable change from what’s “normal”
for you.
The symptoms of depression may look like other mental health conditions. Always see
a healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
How is depression diagnosed?
Depression can happen along with other medical conditions. These include heart disease
or cancer, as well as other mental health conditions. Early diagnosis and treatment
is key to recovery.
A diagnosis is made after a careful mental health exam and medical history. This is
usually done by a mental health professional.
How is depression treated?
Treatment for depression may include 1 or a combination of the following:
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Medicine. Antidepressants work by affecting the brain chemicals. Know that it takes 4 to 8 weeks
for these medicines to have a full effect. Keep taking the medicine, even if it doesn’t
seem to be working at first. Never stop taking your medicine without first talking
to your healthcare provider. Some people have to switch medicines or add medicines
to get results. Work closely with your healthcare provider to find treatment that
works for you.
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Therapy. This is most often cognitive behavioral or interpersonal therapy. It focuses on changing
the distorted views you have of yourself and your situation. It also works to improve
relationships and identify and manage stressors in your life.
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Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). This treatment may be used to treat severe, life-threatening depression that has not
responded to medicines. A mild electrical current is passed through the brain. This
triggers a brief seizure. For unknown reasons, the seizures help restore the normal
balance of chemicals in the brain and ease symptoms.
With treatment, you should start to feel better within a few weeks. Without treatment,
symptoms can last for weeks, months, or even years. Continued treatment may help to
prevent depression from appearing again.
Depression can make you feel exhausted, worthless, helpless, and hopeless. It’s important
to realize that these negative views are part of the depression and don't reflect
reality. Negative thinking fades as treatment starts to take effect. Meanwhile, consider
the following:
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Get help. Some research shows that if depression is treated as soon as possible, long-term
problems are decreased. If you think you may be depressed, see a healthcare provider
as soon as possible.
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Set realistic goals in light of the depression and don’t take on too much.
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Break large tasks into small ones. Set priorities, and do what you can as you can.
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Try to be with other people and confide in someone. It’s usually better than being
alone and secretive.
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Do things that make you feel better. Going to a movie, gardening, or taking part in
religious, social, or other activities may help. Doing something nice for someone
else can also help you feel better.
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Get regular exercise. Studies show exercise can improve mood.
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Expect your mood to get better slowly, not right away. Feeling better takes time.
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Eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
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Stay away from alcohol and drugs. These can often make depression worse.
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It's best to delay important decisions until the depression has lifted. Before deciding
to make a big change—such as, change jobs or get married or divorced—discuss it with
others who know you well and have a more objective view of your situation.
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Remember: People don’t "snap out of" a depression. But they can feel a little better
day-by-day.
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Try to be patient and focus on the positives. This may help replace the negative thinking
that is part of the depression. The negative thoughts will fade as your depression
responds to treatment.
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Let your family and friends help you.
When should I call my healthcare provider?
If you have 5 or more of these symptoms for at least 2 weeks, call your healthcare
provider:
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Lasting sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
-
Loss of interest in almost all activities
-
Appetite and weight changes
-
Changes in sleep patterns, such as inability to sleep or sleeping too much
-
Slowing of physical activity, speech, and thinking OR agitation, increased restlessness,
and irritability
-
Decreased energy, feeling tired or "slowed down" almost every day
-
Ongoing feelings of worthlessness or feelings of undue guilt
-
Trouble concentrating or making decisions
-
Repeating thoughts of death or suicide, wishing to die, or attempting suicide ( Note: This needs emergency treatment.)
In crisis
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If you have thoughts of harming yourself or others, tell someone right away. Ask a
friend or family member to stay with you. Don't stay alone. Call or text 988 You will be connected to trained crisis counselors at the Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
You can also call the Lifeline at 800-273-8255 (TTY: 800-799-4889). An online chat
option is also available at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org. Lifeline is free and available 24/7. Until you feel better, ask a trusted family
member or friend to remove all firearms from your home and secure them in a location
unknown to you.
Key points about depression
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Depression is a serious, treatable mood disorder that affects your whole body including
your mood and thoughts.
-
It’s likely caused by several factors, such as the environment or a chemical imbalance
in the brain. Some types of depression seem to run in families.
-
Depression causes ongoing, extreme feelings of sadness, helplessness, hopeless, and
irritability. These feelings are usually a noticeable change from what’s “normal”
for you, and they last for more than 2 weeks.
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Depression is most often treated with medicine or therapy, or a combination of both.
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Sometimes people with severe depression have thoughts of harming themselves. Tell
someone right away if you feel this way. Call or text 988or go to an emergency room if you have a suicide plan and the means to carry it out.
Next steps
Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:
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Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.
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Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
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Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells
you.
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At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis and any new medicines, treatments,
or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you.
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Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help you. Also
know what the side effects are.
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Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.
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Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
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Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
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If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that
visit.
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Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions.