Depression affects 19 million Americans annually due to an imbalance in brain chemistry. There are different types of depression with varying symptoms and severity, including major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disorder. Signs of depression include sadness, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and persistent thoughts of death or suicide. Treatment options include antidepressants and therapy.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) approximately 19 million Americans or nearly 10% of the population suffer from depressive illnesses each year.
While it’s normal to have the occasional bad day or a passing case of depression, depression that persists for weeks, months, or even years is caused by an imbalance in brain chemistry. Low levels of certain neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine, brain chemicals responsible for mood, are linked to depressive illness. Because persistent depression is caused by a chemical imbalance, a person suffering from severe depression cannot simply “get out” as well-meaning loved ones often encourage. Depression is not a weakness but a treatable condition.
Depression affects how a person feels physically, mentally and emotionally. Just as there are different types of flu viruses, there are different types of depression with different symptoms and severity. Bouts of major depression can be experienced occasionally or once in a lifetime. This type of depression interferes with the ability to concentrate thus affecting work, study and household activities. Sleep and eating disorders are common, with significant weight loss or gain. Tiredness and hopelessness may also be present, and once enjoyed the hobo’s carelessness of interests.
A milder form of depression is dysthymia, characterized by a chronic malaise that is not disabling but still reduces quality of life. People with dysthymia also often experience periods of major depression.
A less common form of depression is biopolar disorder, formerly called manic-depressive disorder. Bipolar disorder is significantly different from other forms of depressive illness. Its symptomatic signature is characterized by extreme lows, similar to major depression, gradually transitioning into extreme highs or manic behavior. After a while, the mood swing returns to a low level and the symptoms reverse. The cycle then repeats. At the high end of the bipolar swing, a person feels extremely capable with grandiose ideas and unnatural energy.
Signs of depression can vary in severity and can even change over time, and some people will only have a few symptoms while others may recognize quite a few. Some of the signs of depression could be: a feeling of emptiness, sadness, pessimism, hopelessness, fatigue, sleep disturbances in the form of insomnia or excessive sleep, weight loss or gain, loss of interest in hobbies, decreased sex drive, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, or persistent thoughts of death or suicide.
Signs of mania may include: abnormal enthusiasm for impractical or grandiose ideas, feelings of euphoria, excessive talking and racing thoughts, decreased need for sleep, inappropriate social behavior, increased sex drive, and lack of proper judgment.
Depression often runs in families, leading researchers to believe there is a genetic predisposition. However, this is not always the case, as depression also affects people with no known genetic history. Certainly many stressors such as overwork, a troubled relationship, or grieving loss can trigger depression.
Both women and men suffer from depressive illnesses, but twice as many women as men suffer from depression. If you recognize any of the signs of depression, contact your doctor. Treatment is readily available in the form of antidepressants, “talk” therapy, or other regimens, depending on your personal needs. You don’t have to live with a depressive illness. It can be cured and you can be yourself again soon!
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