But whats the difference between feeling blue and having clinical depression?
Depression is a mental health disorder characterized by episodes of persistent low mood.
Most of the time, clinical depression refers tomajor depressive disorder.
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But you might not know that there are other significant symptoms of depression.
Mood
Depression can change your mood in myriad ways.
You might experience your life as flat.
Anxiety also often goes hand-in-hand with depression.
Sleep
Another key element of clinical depression is how it affects your sleep.
You might find that you are oversleeping or not sleeping enoughboth can be signs of depression.
Specifically, early awakening is common in those with depression.
Body
Depression can affect your appetite, causing you to behave in uncharacteristic ways.
Associated with these are changes to your bodyyou might gain or lose a lot of weight unintentionally.
Other physical symptoms might include fatigue or, on the other side of the coin, restlessness.
Feeling overly tired or overly activated can also be signs of depression.
Cognition and Behavior
Depression can make it feel difficult or impossible to think.
You also might have difficulty paying attention.
These symptoms can make everyday tasks like work or school especially hard.
You or your loved ones might also notice changes in your behavior due to depression.
You might suddenly be easily irritated, or have frequent crying spells.
You might often feel agitated, even when theres nothing to be agitated about.
Suicidal Ideation
One of the most severe and challenging symptoms of depression is suicidality.
If youre depressed, you might feel as though there is nothing worth living for.
Or, it can even go beyond that, with an inexplicable but overwhelming urge to die.
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Types of Clinical Depression
Clinical depression doesnt just refer to one singular condition.
There are many different types of depression, associated with many different disorders.
This is also known as unipolar (as opposed to bipolar) depression.
Bipolar Depression
Depressive episodes are also a significant part of bipolar disorder.
In this condition, you experience mood swings, from depression tomaniaorhypomania.
Postpartum depression describes a clinical depressive episode that occurs after the birth of a baby.
However, many clinicians extend that period to include the first year after birth.
As with other types of depression, there can be an increased risk for suicide in the mother.
If this describes you, reach out for professional help and support as soon as you might.
Postpartum depression is a treatable clinical condition, and should be treated as such.
Like MDD, PMDD has its own specific diagnostic criteria.
Its a real mood disorder and deserves real treatment.
Essentially, a SAD diagnosis establishes a consistent pattern of seasonal depression.
In addition, your symptoms cant be more accurately attributed to MDD or partially remitted MDD.
In fact, the technical term for situational depression is adjustment disorder with depressed mood.
This describes marked distress or difficulty handling or coping with a stressful event that results in short-term depressive symptoms.
An atypical diagnosis can be applied to MDD, bipolar depression, and persistent depressive disorder.
Adverse life events and environmental exposures have been shown to affect your epigenetics.
Your socioeconomic status can also affect your risk of depression.
In particular, physical co-occurring health conditions can greatly increase your chance of experiencing depression.
People who experience persistent or chronic stress are also more likely to develop depression.
Its no wonder that stress on the body results in stress on the mind.
The most common of these isanxiety.
Its also possible for people with different kinds of mental illnesses to experience depression as well.
A psychiatrist, a psychologist, or a licensed clinical social worker can provide a diagnosis.
The BDI is a 21-question, multiple-choice quiz that relies on self-reporting of possible depressive symptoms.
The comprehensiveness of this inventory means it takes about 10 minutes to complete.
SSRIs are the most prescribed medications for depression.
They allow for more serotonin to be passed from neuron to neuron in the brain.
Along with depression, TCAs can be used to treat insomnia, anxiety, and chronic pain.
You dont need to put up with side effects if they are making you miserable.
If you are feeling suicidal, contact your doctor immediately.
Psychotherapy
Therapy is a great option for those living with clinical depression.
The most important aspect of treating depression with psychotherapy is finding the right therapist.
Dont be afraid of trying out different providers until you find one you really click with.
In fact, theyre recommendedbut its always best to seek out professional help as well.
Not only can this be bad for your physical health, but it can create a vicious cycle.
When someone has very limited energy due to depression, I encourage them to keep things very basic.
“Can’t do a whole two minutes?
There are also lifestyle changes that have been proven to help day-to-day symptoms.
Incorporating exercise into your daily routine is an important and effective way to help you manage your depression.
Starting a meditation or mindfulness practice can also help with mood symptoms.
Bedtime routines are also helpful.
The world isnt going to fall apart if youre out of commission for the day.
To begin, Dr. Marschall advises paying close attention to your emotional patterns.
Noticing when you are starting to enter an episode is important.
Building a Support web connection
see to it you have people around you whom you trust.
Suffering in silence doesnt help anyone.
But chances are theyd like to.
Practice talking about your depression.
Managing Daily Life
Routines are very helpful for people with depression.
check that you eat, even if you dont feel like it.
Get some form of exercise, even if its just going for a short walk.
If youre feeling bad and want to talk it through, do it.
If you dont want to talk about how youre feeling, thats fine too.
Send a stupid meme to your bestie.
Remind yourself that you have people around you if you need them.
If youre having a particularly hard day, its ok to stay in bed for just that day.
Its ok if the only exercise you get that day is moving from the bed to the couch.
Its ok if the only thing you feel like eating is Cheetos.
Be kind to yourself.
However, if this becomes a pattern, it should be discussed with your mental health professional.
Long-Term Management
In the long run, its especially important to maintain consistent treatment.
Trust the system, trust your therapist, and trust yourself.
Dont feel like you have to settle for just feeling ok. Having a strong support system is imperative in living with and managing depression.
I have been on upwards of 30 different medications over the past 20-ish years.
My first experience with an antidepressant was in high school.
After that, I was put on lithium, which is a go-to mood stabilizer for people with bipolar.
To this day, that is how I experience my depressive episodes.
There have been times when I physically could not move, I was so depressed.
Ive laid on my bed or on the couch, immobile with pain.
I feel my depression in my chesta gaping hole where my ribcage should be.
If you are feeling depressed, you dont need to suffer in silence.
Look for a company thatspecializes in treating depression.
Dont be afraid to reach out for help if you are depressed.
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