What is depression

But your healthcare provider can make a diagnosis based on your symptoms and a psychological evaluation. Because depression can be linked to other health problems, your healthcare professional may also conduct a physical examination and order blood work.

Sometimes thyroid problems or a vitamin D deficiency can trigger symptoms of depression. Depression is a serious mental health illness with the potential for complications. If left untreated, complications can include :. Depression can be broken into categories depending on the severity of symptoms. Some people experience mild and temporary episodes, while others experience severe and ongoing depressive episodes.

There are two main types : major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder. Major depressive disorder MDD is the more severe form of depression.

In order to be diagnosed with clinical depression, you must experience five or more of the following symptoms over a 2-week period:. These include :. Persistent depressive disorder PDD used to be called dysthymia. In order for the diagnosis to be made, symptoms must last for at least 2 years.

PDD can affect your life more than major depression because it lasts for a longer period. Read more about why depression treatment is important.

Living with depression can be difficult, but treatment can help improve your quality of life. Talk to your healthcare professional about possible options. Postpartum depression refers to depression that happens after childbirth. It is a common disorder after pregnancy, affecting 1 in 9 new parents.

For many people, these symptoms go away in a couple of days. But if you feel sad, hopeless, or empty for longer than 2 weeks post-childbirth, you may have postpartum depression.

Symptoms of postpartum depression can range from mild to severe and can include :. Postpartum depression is thought to be triggered by the dramatic hormonal changes that take place after pregnancy.

Bipolar depression occurs in certain types of bipolar disorder when a person experiences a depressive episode. Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder that causes distinct changes in mood, energy, concentration, and the ability to carry out your day-to-day tasks. People having a depressive episode may :. Symptoms during a depressive episode last every day for most of the day and can last for several days or weeks.

If bipolar disorder is treated, many will experience fewer and less severe symptoms of depression, if they experience depressive episodes. These 7 treatments may help ease symptoms of bipolar depression. Depression and anxiety can occur in a person at the same time. In fact, research has shown that over 70 percent of people with depressive disorders also have symptoms of anxiety.

You can work with them to identify coexisting symptoms of anxiety and depression and how they can be treated. Obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD is a type of anxiety disorder. It causes unwanted and repeated thoughts, urges, and fears obsessions.

These fears cause you to act out repeated behaviors or rituals compulsions that you hope will ease the stress caused by the obsessions. People diagnosed with OCD frequently find themselves in a loop of obsessions and compulsions. If you have these behaviors, you may feel isolated because of them. This can lead to withdrawal from friends and social situations, which can increase your risk for depression.

Having one anxiety disorder can increase your odds for having another. Up to 80 percent of people with OCD also have major depression episodes. This dual diagnosis is a concern with children, too. Their compulsive behaviors, which may be first developing at a young age, can make them feel unusual. That can lead to withdrawing from friends and can increase the chance of a child developing depression. Some individuals who have been diagnosed with major depression may also have symptoms of another mental disorder called psychosis.

People with the condition may also experience feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and irritability. The combination of the two conditions is particularly dangerous. Treatments include medications and electroconvulsive therapy ECT. The symptoms lead to significant distress and problems with regular functioning or social interactions. For a diagnosis of PMDD, symptoms must have occurred in most of the menstrual cycles during the past year and must have an adverse effect on work or social functioning.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is estimated to affect between 1. PMDD can be treated with antidepressants, birth control pills, or nutritional supplements. Diet and lifestyle changes, such as reducing caffeine and alcohol, getting enough sleep and exercise, and practicing relaxations techniques, can help. Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder is a condition that occurs in children and youth ages 6 to It involves a chronic and severe irritability resulting in severe and frequent temper outbursts.

The temper outbursts can be verbal or can involve behavior such as physical aggression toward people or property. They must occur frequently three or more times per week on average and typically in response to frustration. This mood is noticeable by others, such as parents, teachers, and peers. In order for a diagnosis of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder to be made, symptoms must be present for at least one year in at least two settings such as at home, at school, with peers and the condition must begin before age Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder is much more common in males than females.

A person with persistent depressive disorder previously referred to as dysthymic disorder has a depressed mood for most of the day, for more days than not, for at least two years. In children and adolescents, the mood can be irritable or depressed, and must continue for at least one year. Persistent depressive disorder often begins in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood and affects an estimated 0.

The symptoms cause significant distress or difficulty in work, social activities, or other important areas of functioning. While the impact of persistent depressive disorder on work, relationships and daily life can vary widely, its effects can be as great as or greater than those of major depressive disorder.

A major depressive episode may precede the onset of persistent depressive disorder but may also arise during and be superimposed on a previous diagnosis of persistent depressive disorder. View More. Learn More. I agree. Depression What Is Depression? Depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include: Feeling sad or having a depressed mood Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much Loss of energy or increased fatigue Increase in purposeless physical activity e.

They are also different in important ways: In grief, painful feelings come in waves, often intermixed with positive memories of the deceased. Psychotherapy may help a person manage their symptoms of depression. Support : This can range from discussing practical solutions and possible causes to educating family members.

Psychotherapy : Also known as talking therapy, some options include one-to-one counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy CBT. Drug treatment : A doctor may prescribe antidepressants. A person should only take these medications as their doctor prescribes.

Some drugs can take a while to have an impact. By stopping the drug, a person may not experience the benefits that it could offer. Raise any concerns about antidepressants with a doctor, including any intention to stop taking the medication.

Here, learn more about antidepressants and how they can help. Find out more about the possible side effects of antidepressants here. The warnings should indicate that, among other risks, these medications may increase suicidal thoughts or actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults within the first few months of treatment. Some people use natural remedies, such as herbal medicines, to treat mild-to-moderate depression. However, since the FDA do not monitor herbal remedies, manufacturers may not be truthful about the quality of these products.

They may not be safe or effective. Learn more here. Ginseng : Practitioners of traditional medicine may use this to improve mental clarity and reduce stress. Find out more here about ginseng. Chamomile : This contains flavonoids that may have an antidepressant effect. For more information about chamomile, click here. Lavender : This may help reduce anxiety and insomnia. Learn more here about lavender.

It is essential to speak to a doctor before using any type of herbal remedy or supplement to treat depression. Some herbs can interfere with the action of drugs or otherwise make symptoms worse.

A person may take the herbs above as supplements to treat symptoms of mild-to-moderate depression. Other types of supplements may also help treat these symptoms. It is important to remember that the FDA do not monitor supplements to ensure that they are effective or safe. S-adenosyl methionine SAMe : This is a synthetic form of a natural chemical in the body.

Some research has suggested that SAMe may be as helpful as the prescription antidepressants imipramine and escitalopram, but more investigation is necessary. Learn more about how herbs and supplements may help relieve depression. Eating a lot of sugary or processed foods can lead to various physical health problems.

Results of a study suggest that a diet that includes many of these types of food could affect the mental health of young adults. Can other foods worsen or improve depression symptoms?

Find out here. Psychological, or talking, therapies for depression include CBT, interpersonal psychotherapy, and problem-solving treatment, among others. You usually need to take them for one or two weeks before you start to feel the benefit. Read more about antidepressants on the NHS website. About depression Mind. Clinical depression - NHS www.

Depression Royal College of Psychiatrists rcpsych. Depression youngminds. How common are mental health problems? What are the signs and symptoms of depression? Home A-to-z D Depression Depression We all have times when we feel down, but depression is about more than feeling sad or fed up for a few days. What are the symptoms of depression? Depression can affect your mind, body and behaviour. You might feel: sad, upset or tearful guilty or worthless restless or irritable empty and numb lacking in self-confidence and self-esteem unable to enjoy things that usually bring you pleasure helpless or hopeless anxious or worried suicidal or want to hurt yourself.

You might behave differently. You may: avoid other people, even your close friends find it hard to function at work, college or school find it difficult to make decisions or think clearly be unable to concentrate or remember things.