DEPRESSION & RELATED DISORDERS
DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS
According to the National Network of Depression Centers, depression is the leading cause of disability in people in the age range of 15 to 44. In addition, it ranks among the top three workplace issues in the U.S. (family crisis and stress being the other two) and contributes significantly to over $210 billion in lost earnings a year in the US, due to serious mental illness.
While these figures can seem overwhelming, there is true hope available for you in reaching out to learn more about treatment available to you.
Per the DSM5, A diagnosis of depression requires that five of the following symptoms must have been experienced over the period of two weeks:
- Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day.
- Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day.
- Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain, or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day.
- A slowing down of thought and a reduction of physical movement (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down).
- Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt nearly every day.
- Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day.
- Recurrent thoughts of death, recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide.
Based on the severity and frequency of your symptoms, there are several different types of depression, including:
- Persistent Disruptive Disorder which includes Major Depressive Disorder in which your symptoms (again, nearly every day for two weeks) begin to interfere with your ability to enjoy your life—to work, to eat, etc. and Dysthymia in which symptoms last for at least two years. You may experience episodes of major depression but may also experience times when your symptoms are less severe.
- Chronic Major Depression
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation and
- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder round out the four categories of Depressive Disorders.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What types of depression are there? Sometimes I feel just a little “blue” and sometimes I can’t even seem to function, I feel so hopeless.
You are correct. As mentioned, you may experience a spectrum of symptoms relating to depression. To be diagnosed, symptoms must be present more of the day, nearly every day for at least two weeks. In answer to your question, there are several types of depression:
- Persistent Disruptive Disorder which includes Major Depressive Disorder in which your symptoms (again, nearly every day for two weeks) begin to interfere with your ability to enjoy your life—to work, to eat, etc. and Dysthymia in which symptoms last for at least two years. You may experience episodes of major depression but may also experience times when your symptoms are less severe.
- Chronic Major Depression
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation and
- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
What’s the cause of my depression? I feel like it runs in my family. Can that be true?
Research is ongoing in the field of depression. We’ve found that a combination of factors can play a role in the type and severity of depression that you may be experiencing, including psychological, environmental, biological and yes—as you suspect—genetic. In addition, many physical illnesses can also be a contributing factor in depression, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer and Parkinson’s disease. If you are taking medication for these, as well as other illnesses, depression can occur as well.
How do I know I’m depressed? How can you tell as a therapist?
Like any other mental health disorder, we use specific criteria to evaluate your symptoms.
Depression doesn’t “look” the same on everyone. Feeling blue or sad is just one way in which someone may present when depressed. Different people have different symptoms and you may not even experience sadness. Some symptoms of depression include:
- Feeling empty and hopeless, pessimistic about your future
- Feeling persistently anxious or empty
- Feeling unworthy or guilty
- Feeling helpless and as if you’re perpetually a victim
- Experiencing a loss of interest in your family and friends, your relationships
- Experiencing a loss interest in things that used to make you happy, activities you used to enjoy and hobbies that once fulfilled you
- Feeling lethargic, low energy—the feeling of slowing down
- Difficulty making decisions, concentrating, memory losses
- Difficulty sleeping or changes in your sleeping habits like insomnia or oversleeping
- Appetite changes or weight fluctuations, either losing or gaining weightFeelings of restlessness, anger or irritability
- Physical aches and pains such as headaches, digestive problems where no physical cause can be found or that continue after trying treatments
- Thoughts of death, self-harm or suicide
I feel like my depression is much worse in the winter months. Why is that?
What you’re referring to is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and is very common—yet, not as commonly treated. Once SAD is diagnosed, there are effective means of treatment that can get you through the long winter months.
Spring and summer are usually the “cure” for this type of depression, but you can make the time that you are experiencing this particular type of depression, much more palatable.
HOW WE CAN HELP
We're so pleased that you are here and interested in learning more. We are sensitive to the emotional pain that depression can cause. Together we can examine existing thoughts and feelings that you may be having that contribute to your depression or make it worse. Reframing negative or unhelp thoughts or distorted thinking can help you understand and address life or relationship difficulties that you may be facing.
Depression encompasses a spectrum of symptoms and whether you feel are feeling sad, hopeless or "blue", having trouble sleeping, have lost pleasure in being with your family or friends or would describe yourself as being "in a funk", we can help. We are glad you're here and ready to take a journey towards wellness because a reported two thirds of those with depression do not seek treatment, rather opting to “suffer through it”.
Please give us a call today at (217) 345-4642 or contact us via the form below so that see how we can best be of help. We look forward to hearing from you.