What is depression?

Depressive disorder is the primary cause of incapacity worldwide. In the United States, approximately 10% of grown-ups grapple with depressive disorder. However, due to its psychological nature, comprehending depressive disorder can prove considerably more challenging than understanding, for instance, elevated cholesterol levels. One significant source of confusion lies in distinguishing between having depressive disorder and simply experiencing feelings of sadness. Nearly everyone experiences moments of sadness occasionally. Receiving a low grade, losing employment, engaging in an argument, or even encountering a rainy day can elicit feelings of sorrow. Occasionally, there may be no discernible trigger at all. These feelings may surface unexpectedly. Subsequently, circumstances alter, and those sorrowful emotions dissipate.

Clinical depression is distinct. It's a medical condition, and it won't disappear simply because you desire it to. It persists for a minimum of two consecutive weeks and significantly hampers one's ability to function in work, leisure, or relationships. Depression can present with various indications: a diminished mood, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, changes in appetite, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, excessive or insufficient sleep, difficulty concentrating, restlessness or sluggishness, decreased energy, or recurring thoughts of suicide. If you experience at least five of these symptoms, according to psychiatric criteria, you meet the criteria for a depression diagnosis. Moreover, depression has tangible effects within the brain. Firstly, visible changes can be observed in the form of reduced frontal lobes and hippocampal volumes. On a more microscopic level, depression is linked to a few factors: abnormal transmission or depletion of specific neurotransmitters, particularly serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, disrupted circadian rhythms, or specific alterations in the REM and slow-wave stages of the sleep cycle, as well as hormone irregularities, such as elevated cortisol levels and disturbances in thyroid hormones. However, neuroscientists still lack a comprehensive understanding of the origins of depression. It appears to involve a complex interplay between genetics and environment, but there is no diagnostic tool currently available that can accurately predict where or when it will manifest. Additionally, due to the intangible nature of depression symptoms, it is difficult to identify individuals who may appear fine but are silently struggling.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, it takes the average individual suffering from a mental disorder over a decade to seek assistance. However, there are highly effective therapies available. Medications and counseling complement each other to enhance brain chemicals. In severe cases, electroconvulsive therapy, which induces a controlled seizure in the patient's brain, is also highly beneficial. Other promising treatments, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation, are also under investigation. Therefore, if you know someone battling with depression, gently encourage them to explore these alternatives. You could even offer assistance with specific tasks, such as researching therapists in the area or compiling a list of questions for a doctor. These initial steps may appear overwhelming to someone with depression. If they feel guilty or ashamed, remind them that depression is a medical condition, similar to asthma or diabetes. It is not a weakness or a personality trait, and they should not expect themselves to simply overcome it any more than they could heal a broken arm on their own. If you have not experienced depression yourself, refrain from comparing it to times when you have felt down. Drawing comparisons to normal, temporary feelings of sadness can make them feel guilty for their struggles. Simply discussing depression openly can be beneficial. For instance, research indicates that asking someone about suicidal thoughts actually reduces their risk of suicide. Open conversations about mental illness help to diminish stigma and make it easier for individuals to seek help. And the more patients seek treatment, the more scientists will learn about depression, leading to improved therapies.