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 commonly occurring mood disorder, affecting between 5 and 10% of adults in the US. Depression saps your enjoyment in life and affects your ability to function effectively at work and maintain healthy relationships. Fortunately, depression tends to respond well to treatment, often without needing medication.
Symptoms of depression
- Persistent low mood, sadness, or a sense of gloom lasting at least two weeks
- Low motivation and difficulty completing even everyday tasks
- Fatigue or lethargy, even with sufficient sleep
- Changes in appetite or weight, whether from eating too little, poor food choices, or other disruptions to nutrition
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you normally enjoy
- Withdrawal from social interactions and activities
Causes
It’s impossible to know why one person suffers from depression and someone else with similar life circumstances doesn’t. However, depression is more likely to occur after stressful life events, such as divorce, bereavement, job loss, or major life transitions. Times of change—starting or ending a career, getting married or divorced, becoming a parent, or experiencing an empty nest—often require re-evaluating your identity and self-worth. Without adequate support during these transitions, the risk of depression can increase.
Risk factors for depression
Several factors can increase the likelihood of developing depression, including:
- Genetics: Having a family member with a history of depression.
- Environmental factors: Experiencing abuse or trauma, lacking essential life skills, or having an insufficient support system.
- Biological factors: Certain medical conditions, imbalances in brain chemistry, or medications used to treat other health issues.
Diagnosis
In order to make an accurate diagnosis, it’s important to see your healthcare provider for a proper evaluation. Clinical depression will be treated according to what type of depression you have. For example, Seasonal Affective Disorder (a form of depression that develops with colder weather) will be treated differently from postpartum depression (depression after giving birth). Similarly, depression that occurs alongside another mental health condition will need to be treated differently from depression caused by an underlying medical condition.
A qualified healthcare provider will do a thorough evaluation of your symptoms, health status, family history, and any other factors that might have contributed to your depression and will make recommendations accordingly. Sometimes, bloodwork is required to rule out any underlying health condition that might be causing your depression. Once medical causes have been ruled out, your doctor will likely refer you to another service provider, such as a therapist or psychologist.
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 other mental health challenges
Depression often co-occurs with other mental health conditions, such as anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It can also be triggered by trauma, bereavement, or the end of a significant relationship. Individuals with depression may be more vulnerable to unhealthy coping mechanisms, including alcohol or substance use.
Working with a mental health professional, you can untangle the complex interactions between depression and other challenges. Together, you can develop strategies to promote healing, manage symptoms, and build a more fulfilling and balanced 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.
Reviewed by Dr. Kalman Khodik, PsyD, Licensed Psychologist (NY & NJ)
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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.