What Is Depression?

An Overview of America’s Most Common Mental Disorder: Depression

Those who have experienced depression are all too familiar with comments from misguided friends such as, “Snap out of it,” or, “Just get up and do something.” People don’t say the same to others who have a chronic disease, but depression is just as much of an affliction. Even those suffering from depression might have a hard time understanding what they are personally experiencing, and they often blame themselves for not being able to control it.

Understanding the Signs of Depression

Consider the three following overarching results of depression:

There are symptoms related to how someone feels. They include near-constant feelings of:

Sadness
Anger
Guilt
Hopelessness

There are symptoms related to behavior. They include:

Social withdrawal
Lack of energy
Low motivation
Poor concentration
Sleep problems
Significant changes in appetite

Depression symptoms related to thoughts include:

Poor self-esteem
Thoughts of suicide
Loss of interest in regular activities

For an accurate diagnosis of depression, symptoms must last at least two weeks, and they are often cyclical. This means the symptoms can come or go over a period of months or years. A person who experiences a prolonged period of depression once is likely to suffer future episodes.

View Causes of Depression Infographic

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Treatments and Therapies for Depression

The exact causes of depressive disorders are poorly understood, but medical experts have identified many factors that influence the illness. We know that changes to hormones in the brain called neurotransmitters can have a major effect on depression. Many medications used in the treatment of depression function by increasing the levels of these neurotransmitters.

We also know that genetics play an important role in depression. People who have a family history of depression are more likely to experience the disorder. Often, the cause is a combination of environment and genetics. However, just because your parents have a depressive disorder doesn’t mean you necessarily will.

Help for Long-Term Depression

Environmental factors wield great influence. Living in poverty, experiencing a traumatic event, or other stressful situations may trigger the disorder. Depression does not always have a clear trigger, which leads to many people to not understand why they feel so down.

Treatment for depression usually includes long-term psychotherapy and medication to identify the cause(s) and ensure the sufferer has the wherewithal to return to a more satisfying life. Either type of treatment can work on its own, but a combination of medication and therapy has shown to be the most effective approach.

Different Types of Depression

Depression is not one-size-fits-all. Body chemistry, heredity, life events and trauma all play a major role. Some forms of depression are temporary, while others last for years.

It can be difficult to think of these thoughts, feelings and behaviors as symptoms. It can seem as if someone who is depressed has decided to be lazy and sleep all day, or that they have decided to stop spending time with friends because they have a bad attitude.

But remember, what’s in our head isn’t imaginary. Our thoughts, feelings and behaviors are influenced by a complex series of chemicals in our brains. Without further ado, here are the many disorders that fall under the umbrella term depression:

Major Depressive Disorder

Sometimes referred to simply as depression, major depressive disorder is characterized by prolonged feelings of helplessness and discouragement about the future. Individuals with this disorder have low self-esteem and intense feelings of worthlessness. They tend to feel, or make themselves, socially isolated.

Persistent Depressive Disorder

To be diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder (PDD), sufferers must have at least two of the symptoms of major depressive disorder for at least two years, with the symptoms manifesting nearly each day. Most often, sufferers would describe these symptoms as mild or stable, but they can actually be severe. PDD is also known as dysthymia, which is Greek for “a bad state of mind.”

Perinatal Depression

Pregnancy is a time of incredible physical and emotional changes. It’s a lot for anyone to take on. Sometimes, women feel no joy in their pregnancy, are especially anxious or fearful, or have problems sleeping. A lack of excitement and irrational fear may be signs of perinatal depression, a lesser-known relative of postpartum depression.

Postpartum Depression (PPD)

The CDC puts the number of American women who suffer from postpartum depression (PPD) at around 600,000 each year. PPD can be difficult to diagnose because what new mother isn’t experiencing sleep disturbances and a decreased libido? What stands out are feelings of hopelessness and a decreased lack of interest in caring for the baby or oneself.

Perimenopause-Related Mood Disorders

There’s a reason it’s known as “the change of life,” but what if you’re not quite ready? In the years before menopause sets in, women may experience mood swings, depression, fatigue and brain fog. Sometimes, a thyroid issue can be the culprit, but often these difficulties are caused by shifting hormones. Depression during this time period can be intense.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

Most women – 75 to 80 percent – experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS) monthly. Irritability, social withdrawal, fatigue, sleep disturbances and strong food cravings are common symptoms. However, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is characterized by more severe symptoms that impair a woman’s ability to lead a normal life.

Psychotic Depression

Psychotic depression is a severe mental illness. While occurring less frequently than major depressive disorder, its symptoms can be more severe, triggering suicidal tendencies. Around 25 percent of people hospitalized for a depression-related illness also have thoughts of self-harm.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a variation of depression, and many of the symptoms are the same as traditional depression: feeling blue, having low energy and changes in appetite. SAD only affects people during certain seasons when sunlight levels are low, and it generally recurs year to year. Most people with SAD begin to feel its effects in the late fall and winter, but in rare cases, people experience it during the spring and summer instead.

Bipolar Disorder

Formerly known as manic depression, bipolar disorder can be either type 1 or 2, with the former being the most severe case. Bipolar disorder has many of the same hallmarks as general depression does, but with distinct differences, such as periods of hyperactivity, violent mood swings and a greater tendency toward addictive behavior.

Depression and Substance Abuse Treatment in Maryland

Depression and drug or alcohol abuse often go hand in hand. In fact, about 20 percent of Americans with a mood disorder such as depression also struggle with substance abuse. If depression and addiction apply to you or a loved one, Maryland Recovery Center is your destination to get both conditions treated in order to start a stable path to recovery.

Our staff is qualified to diagnose and then treat depressive disorders when a new patient comes to us for drug or alcohol rehabilitation. We’re based in the quiet, yet scenic town of Bel Air, Maryland, and we accept new patients from all over the state, the East Coast and all over the United States. Long term addiction rehab with Partial Hospitalization and Intensive Outpatient programs are available.

To learn about our methods of treating and accommodating dual diagnosis and co-occurring disorders, call us anytime or click on the button below.

Depression Treatment in Maryland

"Maryland Recovery gave me the tools and counseling to accept my past and forge a new future for myself. Life today has a hope and brightness to it that had not experienced before. I got a job and an apartment with the help of Maryland Recovery. I am able to be part of my family’s life again."
— Robert M
"I am certain that this program helped save my life. I was provided with an opportunity to learn how to live a sober life. I learned to be responsible and accountable for my behavior. When practicing the principles of the program and remaining willing to grow on this journey, I experience a freedom I never knew, but always wanted."
— Morgan S
"The only things that I knew when I arrived at Maryland Recovery (MR) was that I was broken: spiritually, emotionally, and physically broken and that my way of doing things had gotten me there. The people at MR understood who I was better than I did. They assured me that I was not alone, with that came a glimpse of hope and some relief."
— Hubbard

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