Reviewed by Dr. Kalman Khodik, PsyD, Licensed Psychologist (NY & NJ), Founder and Clinical Director
The feelings of low motivation and low energy that characterize depression make it especially hard to take care of yourself and pull yourself out of your slump. Fortunately, even small but consistent efforts toward recovery can yield a significant improvement in your symptoms faster than you might expect.
Key points
- Depression is the most commonly occurring mood disorder, affecting between 5-10% of adults in the US
- Depression saps your enjoyment in life and affects your ability to function effectively at work and at home, and impacts your relationships
- Even small improvements to your lifestyle can yield noticeable improvements in your symptoms
- Professional help is available, and highly effective to treat depression
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Overview
Depression is the most prevalent mood disorder, impacting 5 to 10% of adults in the United States. It drains the joy from life and can make it difficult to perform well at work or maintain fulfilling relationships. The good news is that depression typically responds well to treatment, and in many cases, medication may not even be necessary.
Symptoms of depression
- Persistent low mood, feeling sad or down without an apparent cause, lasting for at least two weeks
- Lack of motivation and struggle to complete even simple tasks
- Constant fatigue or feeling sluggish, even after adequate sleep
- Difficulty maintaining proper nutrition, leading to weight gain or loss due to poor eating habits or inadequate food intake
- Decreased enjoyment in activities that you once found pleasurable
- Withdrawal from social interactions and activities
Causes
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly why one person develops depression while another in similar circumstances does not. However, depression is more likely to occur after experiencing significant life stressors, such as a divorce, the death of a loved one, job loss, or while navigating life transitions. Major changes like starting or ending a career, getting married or divorced, or becoming parents or empty nesters often prompt reevaluating your identity and sense of self-worth. Without the right support during these transitions, it can be easy to slip into depression.
Risk factors for depression
Several risk factors can increase the likelihood of developing depression, including genetic factors (having a family history of depression), environmental influences (such as a past history of abuse or trauma, lack of developed life skills, and an inadequate support system), and biological factors (such as specific medical conditions, brain chemistry imbalances, or medications taken for other health issues).
Diagnosis
To receive an accurate diagnosis, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider for a comprehensive evaluation. Treatment for clinical depression will vary depending on the specific type of depression. For instance, Seasonal Affective Disorder (depression triggered by colder weather) will be managed differently than postpartum depression (depression following childbirth). Similarly, depression that occurs alongside another mental health condition requires a different approach than depression caused by an underlying medical issue.
A qualified healthcare provider will conduct a thorough assessment of your symptoms, overall health, family history, and any other factors that may contribute to your depression. They will then provide tailored recommendations. In some cases, blood tests may be necessary to rule out medical conditions that could be causing the depression. After eliminating medical causes, your doctor may refer you to other professionals, such as a therapist or psychologist, for further support.
Treatment
The appropriate treatment for your depression will be determined to a large extent by what’s causing your depression and how severe your symptoms are.
If your depression is caused by an underlying health condition or as a side-effect of other medication you’re taking, your doctor might adjust your medication or change it completely. For mild depression, making healthy lifestyle changes such as improving your diet, getting into a regular sleep routine, or getting regular exercise can do wonders to ease your symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or other types of psychotherapy can help mitigate symptoms while building lifelong coping skills.
In cases of severe depression, your mental health provider might recommend medication, at least in the short term, to help you get through a particularly difficult period.
Fortunately, depression often responds to the right treatment. Although you might feel unmotivated to ask for help, as soon as you reach out for help, you already start the process of getting better. Even small efforts on your part can create significant improvements to your symptoms. You just need to start!
Depression and co-occurring mental health challenges
Depression very often occurs together with other mental health disorders, such as anxiety and OCD. Sometimes, depression is caused by trauma or triggered by bereavement or a breakup. People with depression are prone to alcohol abuse or other unhealthy coping mechanisms.
By working with a mental health professional, you can begin to unravel the complex factors that contribute to depression. Together, you can explore your challenges and develop personalized strategies to heal from depression and build a more fulfilling life.
Start today
If you’re ready to take your life back from depression and begin the journey towards a happier, more joyful life, reach out today. Call or fill out the contact form and click Send.
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References and further reading
Cuijpers, P., Karyotaki, E., Wit, L., & Ebert, D. (2020). The effects of fifteen evidence-supported therapies for adult depression: A meta-analytic review. Psychotherapy Research.
Cuijpers, P., Oud, M., Karyotaki, E., Noma, H., Quero, S., Cipriani, A., Arroll, B., & Furukawa, T. (2021). Psychologic Treatment of Depression Compared With Pharmacotherapy and Combined Treatment in Primary Care: A Network Meta-Analysis. The Annals of Family Medicine.
Pablo, G., Solmi, M., Vaquerizo-Serrano, J., Raduà, J., Passina, A., Morsillo, P., Correll, C., Borgwardt, S., Galderisi, S., Bechdolf, A., Pfennig, A., Bauer, M., Kessing, L., Amelsvoort, T., Nieman, D., Domschke, K., Krebs, M., Sand, M., Vieta, E., McGuire, P., Arango, C., Shin, J., & Fusar-Poli, P. (2021). Primary prevention of depression: An umbrella review of controlled interventions. Journal of affective disorders.