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Depression is more than simply feeling sad. After all, it’s natural to feel unhappy at times. Whether it be the loss of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or simply just a tough day, we all experience events that bring about sadness. Depression, however, is a combination of long-lasting, life-disrupting symptoms that don’t go away on their own.
Depression is a mood disorder that impairs an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and actions. It also affects a person’s health, causing fatigue, sleep problems, and appetite changes. All types of depression can lead to feelings of hopelessness, both with and without suicidal thoughts and ideations.
There are many types of depression. We’ll explore their different diagnoses and their symptoms. We will also discuss other medical conditions that can cause depressive symptoms. Major Depressive Disorder (also known as Clinical Depression)
If you’re concerned that you or someone you know might be experiencing major depression, you’re not alone. Major depressive disorder is the most commonly encountered type of depression. It’s also one of the leading mental health disorders in the United States. Roughly 12% of people will experience major depression at some point. Women are twice as likely as men to struggle with clinical depression.
If you experience 5 or more of the following symptoms within two weeks, with at least one being a depressed mood or loss of interest, you may be experiencing major depression.
- Depressed mood most of the day, most days of the week
- Decreased interest or loss of pleasure in all, or most activities, nearly every day
- Significant weight loss when not dieting
- Slow thinking, memory problems, or trouble concentrating.
- Trouble planning or indecisiveness.
- A reduction in physical movement (observable by others, not merely feeling slowed down)
- Fatigue or not enough energy in most days
- Feelings of worthlessness, shame, or guilt nearly every day
- Recurrent thoughts of dying, death, recurrent thoughts of suicide or self-harm, with or without a specific plan
Within major depression, there are also several subtypes of the disorder. The symptoms of depression vary among the subtypes, but all involve feelings of sadness and a lack of enjoyment in life.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Seasonal affective disorder occurs because of changes in the seasons. It’s theorized that the low levels and reduced intensity of sunlight found in winter trigger temporary neurological changes that make some people vulnerable to depression. People with seasonal affective disorder typically begin feeling symptoms of depression in the late fall or early winter. These symptoms usually fade in spring or early summer. Those suffering from seasonal affective disorder experience many symptoms of major depression listed above.
Treatments for SAD include light therapy and treatment with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).
Psychotic Depression (Major Depression with Psychotic Features)
Psychotic depression is a diagnosis given when symptoms of psychosis accompany the characteristics of major depression. These symptoms include disorganized thinking or behavior, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real), and delusions (false beliefs about what is occurring).
Atypical Depression
Atypical depression has symptoms that vary from the traditionally accepted criteria of major depression. Of those diagnosed with depression, 15-29% suffer from atypical depression. Symptoms of this disorder include:
- Mood reactivity – being able to be briefly cheered up by positive life events.
- Increased appetite
- Hypersomnia – Sleeping more than usual, either at one time or with frequent naps
- Leaden paralysis – feeling heavy or weighted down, usually in the arms and legs.
- Rejection sensitivity – feeling overwhelming grief in response to rejection or failure.
Persistent Depressive Disorder
Persistent depressive disorder, also called dysthymic disorder, is characterized by long-term feelings of depression. To be diagnosed with this disorder, a person must experience these symptoms for over 2 years (1 year if a child or teenager). The symptoms of persistent depressive disorder are the same as those of major depressive disorder, just less severe. Those struggling with this disorder may be seen as pessimistic or called complainers, as their symptoms are present for so long. 3% of US adults experience this disorder at some point during their lives.
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) is a type of depression that affects children and adolescents who experience chronic anger or irritability and temper outbursts. This diagnosis is not given to children with occasional irritability. To be diagnosed with DMDD, a child must experience consistent symptoms for 12 months or greater. The child must be 6 to 10 years old at diagnosis. This disorder is considered depressive because it is characterized by difficulty in regulating mood and emotions. Common symptoms of the disorder are listed below:
- Chronic irritability or anger most of the day, nearly every day
- Difficulty functioning in multiple situations because of irritability (e.g., at school, at home, with peers)
- Severe temper outbursts (verbal or physical) that happen on average 3 or more times per week
- Temper outbursts that have been present for 12 months or more
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a depressive disorder that impacts 5-8% of women of childbearing age in the 1-2 weeks before their menstrual cycle. It’s similar to premenstrual syndrome (PMS), although the symptoms are more severe and exceptionally disruptive to an individual’s daily life. The psychological and physical symptoms typically resolve 2-3 days after the start of the woman’s menstrual cycle. These symptoms are thought to occur because of a decrease in hormone levels following ovulation, although further research is still being completed. The DSM-5, a standard handbook used for mental health disorder diagnoses, offers the following criteria for diagnosis:
At least 5 symptoms should be present, including at least 1 of the first 4 symptoms. The symptoms must be severe enough to impact daily life. They cannot be related to other medical diagnoses and must be present for at least 2 consecutive menstrual cycles.
- Depressed mood, feelings of hopelessness
- Anxiety, tension, feelings of being “on edge.”
- Mood swings, rapid shifts in emotions, or inappropriate emotions
- Persistent, significant anger or irritability or increased interpersonal conflicts.
- Decreased interest in usual activities (e.g., work, school, friends, and hobbies)
- Subjective sense of difficulty in concentrating
- Marked change in appetite, overeating, or specific food cravings.
- Sleeping too much, or an inability to sleep
- Lethargy or marked lack of energy.
- A sense of being overwhelmed or out of control.
- Other physical symptoms include breast tenderness or swelling, headaches, joint or muscle pain, bloating sensation, or weight gain.
Perinatal Depression
Perinatal depression occurs during or after pregnancy. It is closely related to postnatal depression, which only begins after a baby is born. Perinatal and postnatal depression are affected by many factors, including life stressors, the demands of childbearing and childbirth, and the hormonal changes women experience during pregnancy.
Mothers with perinatal depression may experience anxiety, depression, or extreme fatigue. The symptoms can range in severity, with the most severe symptoms potentially putting both mother and baby at risk. Some common symptoms of perinatal depression include:
- Persistent sadness, anxiousness, or irritability
- Feeling guilty, worthless, hopeless, or helpless
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
- Difficulty sleeping (even when baby is asleep) or oversleeping.
- Abnormal appetite
- Aches or pains unrelated to a clear physical cause
- Difficulty bonding with or forming an emotional attachment to the infant.
- Continuous doubts about the ability to care for the infant
- Thoughts of death, suicide, or harming oneself or the infant
Perinatal depression can be classified based on when during the pregnancy the depression occurs. In prenatal or antepartum depression, depressive symptoms are experienced during the pregnancy. In postpartum depression, these symptoms are present after the baby’s birth. There is a 2-week period directly after childbirth when it is common for mothers to feel anxiousness, exhaustion, and even unhappiness. This is commonly called the “baby blues” and is not postpartum depression. However, if these symptoms are severe or last longer than 2 weeks, seek treatment for postpartum depression.
Other Diagnoses that Involve Depressive Symptoms
In addition to the types of depression listed above, several medical conditions can bring about depressive symptoms. Bipolar Disorder, a mood disorder characterized by depressive episodes followed by manic episodes, is an example. Neurologic disorders like Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s can also lead to depressive symptoms. Imbalances in electrolytes or vitamins are other common causes of depressive symptoms. When considering a depression diagnosis, it is essential to consider all factors that could bring about the symptoms.
Depression Treatment at NuLife Behavioral Health Indiana
If someone you love needs depression treatment, the team at NuLife Behavioral Health in the Indianapolis area can help. For those with co-occurring depression and substance addiction, our dual diagnosis programs help clients develop the tools they need to manage depression and addiction recovery without leaving home. Our flexible programs provide outpatient treatment, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient programs.
The following services are a part of our approach to treating most types of depression.
One-on-One Counseling
Individual therapy sessions with a licensed mental health professional help explore the psychological factors contributing to your addiction. Techniques such as mindfulness and stress management are often employed to help you gain better control over your impulses and reactions.
Group Therapy Sessions
In group therapy, mental health professionals work with more than one person at a time. Groups include at least 3 people but may have as many as 10 members. These types of therapy groups comprise people with the same or similar problems, situations, or disorders.
Family Involvement
Including family members in the recovery process helps support a robust social support network. The focus is often on enhancing interpersonal skills and fostering a supportive home environment for people with depression.
Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders
We offer specialized treatment plans for those grappling with additional mental health conditions alongside depression.
All of NuLife Behavioral Health’s programs offer the following approaches to therapy:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Experiential Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
NuLife Behavioral Health also offers Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a cutting-edge brain stimulation therapy. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is a research-supported, non-invasive treatment approved by the FDA for use with depression. In TMS therapy, a powerful, focused magnetic field is used to stimulate groups of nerves within the brain that are underactive or inactive.
Sessions take place on an outpatient basis and require no sedation. A person can have a TMS session without disrupting their daily routine.
KEY TAKEAWAY:
Depression is one of the most common medical conditions in the world. If you or someone you know may be experiencing any type of depression, you are not alone. NuLife Behavioral Health Indianapolis is present in the Indianapolis area to provide you with the resources you need, including therapy and medical treatment options.
Contact NuLife Behavioral Health Indiana Today
We are committed to helping individuals live fulfilling lives free from the adverse effects of substance use or mental health disorders. Our experienced and compassionate staff provides individualized treatment plans that address the specific needs and underlying causes of a client’s behavioral health concerns.
Wherever you reside in Indiana, contact us to learn more about NuLife Behavioral Health Indiana. We offer a variety of treatment programs that address a diverse array of substance use disorders and mental health conditions. Do not wait to get help for yourself or a loved one; begin living your best new life today!
