Major Depression

Major depression, which is also known as major depressive disorder and often just depression, is a mental illness. It belongs to a category of conditions known as mood disorders, because it impacts mood, generally causing feelings of sadness and hopelessness for periods of two weeks or longer. Symptoms are severe enough to cause dysfunction at home, at work, and in relationships.

This is a chronic illness, which means there are periods of no symptoms, but then the depression often recurs, and for this reason it should be treated on an ongoing basis. There may be times when less support is needed and periods during which more intensive care can help. But, in general depression is managed over the long-term. With ongoing therapy and often with medication as well, it is possible to control symptoms and minimize relapses.

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Major depressive disorder is a separate diagnosis from other types of depression and one of the most commonly diagnosed types of mental illness. But there are also several related conditions that are categorized with it as depressive disorders:

• Persistent Depressive Disorder. Also known as dysthymia, this type of depression is sometimes described as being a high-functioning condition. It causes less severe symptoms of depression so that individuals can still function, but they persist for two years or longer.
• Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. A severe type of premenstrual syndrome, this condition affects some women between ovulation and the start of menstruation.
• Postpartum Depression. When the onset of depression is during or soon after pregnancy, it is referred to as postpartum or perinatal depression.
• Seasonal Affective Disorder. Some people experience episodes of depression seasonally, most often in fall and winter. Rarer cases occur in the spring.

Major depression is a type of mood disorder, and mood disorders are the most common mental illnesses in the U.S.

• A recent survey of American adults found that eight percent, or one in 12 people, over the age of 20 experienced depression in the previous two weeks.
• According to the survey, depression was present in twice as many women as men.
• Depression and other mood disorders are cited as the third most common reason for hospitalization among adults between the ages of 18 and 44.
• More than one-third of adults with depression do not get treatment.
• Major depression is also the most common reason for disability in people between ages 15 and 44.
• The onset of depression can be at any age, but the median is 32.
• In any given year, more than 16 million adults in the U.S. struggle with major depression.

The symptoms of depression are easy to understand, because everyone experiences this low type of mood sometimes. The big differences between ordinary low moods and major depression include the duration of the episodes, severity of symptoms, the impairment caused by symptoms, and the recurring nature of depressive episodes. The diagnostic criteria that mental health professionals use for major depressive disorder are:

• A depressed, low mood characterized by sadness, emptiness, and hopelessness that is significant and observable by other people
• Loss of interest in normal activities and inability to find pleasure in activities once enjoyed
• Changes in weight as a result of loss of appetite or overeating
• Changes in sleeping patterns, either oversleeping or insomnia
• Behavioral changes that are either agitated or slowed down
• Extreme fatigue
• Feelings of guilt, shame, or worthlessness
• Difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions
• Thoughts of death or suicide, with possible suicidal behaviors

To be diagnosed with major depression, a person must have at least five of these symptoms over a two week period. One of the symptoms has to be either a depressed mood every day or loss of interest in activities.

Other requirements are that the symptoms cause significant impairment, such as difficulty at work or problems in relationships. To be diagnosed, the symptoms of depression cannot be caused by a medical condition, a medication, or substance abuse.

In some cases, a person with depression may experience symptoms of psychosis, such as hallucinations or delusions. They typically reflect a depressed mood, for example delusions related to guilt and self-blame.

Causes and Risk Factors

There is no single cause of depression for anyone, but there are risk factors and contributing factors that can make one person more likely to develop it. Family history is one of the most important risk factors, which indicates that genetics plays a role in depression. The structure and chemistry of the brain is also noted to have significant differences in people with depression, so there are also physiological causes. However, there is also evidence that several environmental conditions contribute to depression. Some of these known risk factors include:

• Having another mental illness, especially when untreated
• Substance abuse and struggling with a substance use disorder
• Exposure to traumatic events and experiences or ongoing stressful situations, such as a major accident or domestic abuse
• Specific personality traits like pessimism, being dependent on others, or being self-critical and having low self-esteem
• Having a serious, life-threatening, or chronic illness

Depression often co-occurs with other conditions, including other mental illnesses. Anxiety disorders are also common mental illnesses and may occur with depression in many people. Personality disorders also often occur with depression. Bipolar disorder is a related condition that causes periods of mania and depression. Because depression is such a common mental illness, it is one of the most likely to co-occur with other conditions.

Co-occurring disorder also refers to mental illnesses like depression along with substance use disorders. This is very common, possibly because depression and substance abuse have some of the same risk factors. It is also likely that someone with depression will use alcohol or drugs as a type of self-medication in an attempt to alleviate symptoms. Substance use can also trigger and worsen symptoms of depression or make it more likely to occur in someone who has other risk factors, such as family history.

Treatment for major depression is crucial for managing symptoms, reducing the risk of complications, and preventing or minimizing the severity of relapses of depressive episodes. As a chronic condition, depression requires long-term professional care or it may recur and cause severe and debilitating episodes.

There are two main elements of depression treatment: medication and therapy. Antidepressant medications can be useful for managing symptoms, but they should only be used along with therapy.

Antidepressants take several weeks to begin working, so it is important to stick with one medication for long enough to find out if it is effective and what side effects it causes. Stopping use of antidepressants suddenly can cause serious and dangerous side effects, so it is important to only stop using the medication with a doctor’s supervision.

Along with the right medication, behavioral therapies can also help control depression. With the right therapist, a patient can learn to recognize the signs of an oncoming episode and take steps to reduce the severity. Therapists help patients set goals, change negative thinking patterns, change negative behaviors, manage relationships, function better with depressive symptoms, and make positive lifestyle changes.

A lot of people struggle with depression, but there is hope. The prognosis for most people diagnosed with major depression is excellent.

BrightQuest Treatment Centers provide world-class residential treatment for major depression and other complex mental illnesses. We know that choosing the right treatment option for yourself or a loved one is difficult. We believe our unique model of care gives our clients the best chance at success.

• Family Integration in Treatment
• Inclusive Therapeutic Community
• Focus on Lasting Behavioral Change

We offer clients the tools, skills, and support necessary to attain greater stability and independence with the confidence and courage to live a healthy, happy, and productive life.

Depressions Treatment at BrightQuest →