With experts estimating that 1 in 10 individuals over the age of 18 have some sort of form of depression, totaling over 15 million people in the U.S., it is easy to see why this has become a massive public health issue. During the course of an individual’s lifetime, there is a 17% chance that a person will experience some sort of a major depressive episode. However, the good news is that treatment of depression is effective for most people, and usually allows those who have been affected to increase the quality of their daily lives.
What is Depression?
There are three types of depression, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder (PDD), and bipolar disorder.
Major Depression
Major depression is classified as a prolonged period of sadness that least a minimum of 2 weeks or longer, in which a person can have intense sadness, and/or feel hopeless, helpless, and worthless. Many individuals regularly experience normal feelings of sadness from things that they experience in daily life, and it is normal to feel sad or down after a difficult life event. This makes understanding whether someone is depressed or temporarily sad is difficult for many people. Generally speaking, a two-week period or longer of severe sadness or having a hard time finding enjoyment in things that once brought them joy and happiness is an indication that someone may be depressed, and should be looked into for further study and examination.
Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)
Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD) is a form of depression that last for at least 2 years. PDD is less severe than major depression, but the symptoms are very similar, if not the same as major depression, in that they can significantly impact an individual’s daily life.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a form of depression and it is classified as experiencing severe mood swings. A person with bipolar disorder usually swings from being extremely happy, and then eventually experiences severe sadness, anger or depression the next. The changes can come quickly or can be spaced out days at a time.
Common Depression Symptoms
- Extended periods of sadness (over 2 weeks)
- Cannot find happiness in things that once brought one joy, including sex
- Loss of appetite or over eating
- Thoughts or attempts of suicide
- Restlessness or irritability
- Pessimistic thoughts or feelings of hopelessness
- Insomnia or excessive sleeping
- Decreased energy or fatigue
Who does Depression Affect?
Depression is not confined to just one group of people, or even one age group – it can affect men and women of all ages, genders, and ethnicities.
Numbers collected over a 12-month period in which an individual had a major depressive episode
Ethnicity
White – 7.3%
African American – 4.6%
Hispanic – 5.8%
Asian – 4.0%
Native American or Alaska Native – 8.9%
Age
Under 13 – 2.5%
13-18 – 3.3%
18-25 – 8.7%
26-49 – 7.6%
50+ – 5.1%
Gender
Male – 5.1%
Female – 8.1% (Women are 70% more likely to have a major depressive episode than men during their lifetime.)
Depression in Women
While there are many similarities among people affected by depression, there are some significant differences between women and men when it comes to dealing with this particular issue. Female-specific depression conditions include pregnancy and infertility, as well as premenstrual problems, postpartum depression, and menopause.
To complicate matters, women often experience what is called atypical depression. This means that instead of eating less, women eat more, and instead of sleeping less, women sleep more, which can create health issues.
Depression in Men
Men are usually less willing to seek help for depression or admitting to being depressed. This is mainly due to the when a man seeks help for depression, it can be considered as a weakness. When looking for indications or symptoms of depression in men, it is important to know that not all signs and symptoms are the same as common depression symptoms. For example, instead of feeling sad for an extended period of time, men often get angry and irritable for an extended duration. Instead of using friends and food for support, men often turn to TV, alcohol, sports, pornography and other activities to self-medicate.
Depression in Seniors
When men and women move into their golden years, there are many changes seniors experience in which most people are not prepared for. With some of these changes, it’s not uncommon for a senior to experience a major depressive episode. Common changes among seniors that can lead to depression include medical problems, retirement, loss of loved ones and friends, and isolation. Some of the common signs and symptoms of depression in seniors include; social withdrawal, sadness, fatigue, weight loss or loss of appetite, loss of self-worth, sleep problems, and suicidal thoughts or attempts.
Depression in Teens
When it comes to teenagers and adolescents, there are a number of changes that teens must cope with and adapt to; it can be a very trying time for them. These changes can include; puberty, social pressures, and trying to find out who they are and where they fit into society. When looking for signs of depression in teens, it’s important to know they also have a unique set of signs and symptoms. Prolonged sadness is common among most teens who are depressed.
While sadness is common among adults, teens are more likely to show anger, aggressiveness, and hostility. Teens who are depressed sometimes deal with these pressures by starting to use alcohol and drugs, running away, participating in reckless behavior, and sometimes violence.
What Causes Depression?
While there may usually be one event that causes Depression, it is generally a combination of environmental, biological, genetic, and psychological factors that ultimately can cause these symptoms.
Depressive episodes can be caused by situational events such as a loss of a loved one, relationship problems, divorce, the loss of a job, financial trouble, personal trauma, social pressures, and other instances that can affect a person’s overall well-being.
While depression is usually genetic, it can also happen to those who have no family history of depression depending on their environment and experiences.
How to Treat Depression
If an individual is diagnosed with depression, a combination of psychological sessions / treatments and medication is common when treating people for depression. Unlike other illnesses that can be treated with surgery or prescribed medication, altering choices that have led to the depressive episode and therapy are both instrumental in treatment and recovery.
For more information, contact us today if you suspect you are suffering from depression, or are concerned that a loved one may be experiencing it.