Do I have Depression?
What Exactly Is Depression?
Depression. It’s a word that is tossed around a lot and perhaps for a good reason. According to the CDC in 2019, close to 20% of adults had symptoms of Depression within the past two weeks. Depression can vary from mild to moderate, to severe and suicidal. No matter where on the spectrum you fall, Depression can have a serious impact on the quality of your life. Depression can involve interruptions in sleep patterns- maybe sleeping too much or too little- feeling easily irritable or having uncontrollable tearful spells. Depression can also involve a general feeling on ennui, low motivation, poor concentration and just an inability to get started. Some describe it as a “stuck” sensation. It may not be overtly obvious that someone is struggling with Depression, but it doesn’t mean it’s not significant. Many more symptoms of Depression exist and vary from person to person. Symptoms can also overlap with other mental illnesses, which is why a thorough psychiatric evaluation is necessary to really suss out the symptoms and appropriately diagnose.
How Does Depression Happen?
There is not a one-size-fits-all formula that equates to Depression. A lot times it is a mixture of chemical imbalances, situational stressors, and poor coping skills. I’m sure you’ve heard a lot about the neurotransmitter Serotonin (“the happy molecule”) that is thought to be at a low supply in those with Depression and increased with proper medications- but this is only one of the chemicals that medication can target. Other signals, such as Norepinephrine and Dopamine (to name a few), can also play a part in mood regulation. In addition to the multiple chemical factors, situational stressors could pertain to a relationship, a job, or a home environment that is difficult to thrive in. Poor coping skills lead to all of these imbalances having more of a negative effect, compounding their impact on Depression. And these are not the only ways Depression can sneak its way into your life. Depression is complex and even the layers have layers.
Ok, So I Think I Am Depressed…What Now?
Once you’ve acknowledged that your mood may be interfering with your success and daily functioning, the important step is to talk to a professional. Psychiatrists are trained to analyze and diagnose what the issue is. Medications are typically employed to balance the chemicals and therapy is used to improve coping skills and strengthen resilience. Depression is a treatable illness and there is help with upwards of 90% of those with Depression responding well to treatment.
For more information:
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db379.htm
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression
