What is Depression?
Depression is a common Mood disorder that affects approximately 1 in every 4 people. It negatively influences how you view life, manifesting as a sense of helplessness, low mood, persistent feelings of guilt and sadness and a lack of pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable. This results in difficulties with concentration and motivation and overall functioning which can impact relationships, work, and quality of life, making it challenging to perform everyday tasks and maintain a positive outlook.
Causes:
Multiple factors interact together to cause depression, these are generally divided into biological, psychological and social factors.
Biological:
Psychological:
Social:
Depression could run in families.
Irregular sleep patterns.
Nutritional deficiencies.
Chronic illness or pain.
Some medications.
Substance use.
– Negative thought patterns.
– Personality traits.
– Trauma.
– Stress.
– Low self- esteem.
Isolation and lack of support.
Relationship problems.
Work stress or unemployment.
Financial stress.
Life transitions.
Types of depression:
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): Marked by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, guilt and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities, which often interfere significantly with daily life.
Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD): Or dysthymia, it consists of less severe symptoms than those in major depressive disorder, but they are chronic and long-lasting for at least two years. It negatively affects daily functions and interferes with one’s social and work life.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Symptoms are similar to major depressive disorder but they follow a seasonal pattern and improve with the change of seasons. It mostly develops in autumn and winter when there is less natural sunlight.
Postpartum Depression: It affects mothers following childbirth. It involves more intense feelings of sadness and fatigue compared to the common transient depressive symptoms known as "baby blues" and can impact the ability to care for herself and the baby.
Depression could also be a feature of Bipolar Disorder, which consists of alternating episodes of depression and mania.
Signs and symptoms:
Depression can manifest in a variety of symptoms including both mental and physical:
Mental symptoms
Physical symptoms
Persistent feelings of sadness, helplessness, guilt and low mood.
Emptiness or numbness.
Lack of self worth and low self esteem.
Inability to enjoy previously enjoyed activities.
anxiousness or irritability.
Thoughts of death and suicide.
Lack of energy.
Sleep disturbances; excessive sleep or loss of sleep.
Changes in appetite; whether an increase or decrease that could lead to changes in weight.
Unexplainable body aches.
Digestive problems.
Sexual problems.
These symptoms may cause a vicious cycle where the person becomes locked in a repetitive pattern of negative thoughts, behaviours and feelings.
Negative thoughts such as feelings of worthlessness or helplessness lead to emotional distress and feelings of sadness or despair. This causes a decrease in activity and social interactions and the person resorts to unhealthy behaviours and coping mechanisms, eventually leading to negative thoughts and the repetition of the cycle, which ultimately reinforces and worsens Depression. Breaking this cycle typically requires therapeutic interventions and lifestyle changes.
Treatment Options at Mind Clinic:
Depression is a treatable condition with many available options and modalities that could improve the person’s life significantly. Treatment varies according to severity and it could consist of psychotherapy, medications, a combination of both.In Mind Clinic we follow a holistic approach in assessing and treating Depression.
Firstly, a psychiatric assessment would be conducted in which the doctor assesses the person through personal interview, family members interview, questionnaires and sometimes other tests may be required depending on the individual’s medical history.
After the assessment and diagnosis, an initial plan is made depending on what is best for the person. This could include medications, therapy approaches or a combination of both depending on the person’s need and goals.
A psychological assessment would be conducted by a therapist to determine what might help according to the individual’s specific needs, the options could include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Interpersonal therapy (IPT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Behavioral Activation (BA).
Other options could be discussed as a part of the personalised plan for each person such as family focused therapy, nutrition and diet counselling, and education.
Resources:
Mental Health America. (n.d.). Depression. https://mhanational.org/conditions/depression
Mental Health Foundation. (2022, February 18). Depression. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics/depression
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. (n.d.). Depression. https://www.dbsalliance.org/education/depression/
The Jed Foundation. (n. d.). What Causes Depression? https://jedfoundation.org/resource/what-causes-depression/
Psychology Today. (n. d.). What Causes Depression? https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/basics/depression
HelpGuide.org. (n. d.). Depression Types. https://www.helpguide.org/depression-types-causes-and-risk-factors.htm
Royal college of Psychiatrists. ( 2020, October). Depression In Adults. https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/mental-illnesses-and-mental-health-problems/depression
Centre For Clinical Interventions. (2019, October 28). Depression. https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself/Depression
DrLaith. (n. d.). الاكتئاب-depression. https://www.drlaith.com/الاكتئاب-depression/