Depression is a common and serious mental illness that negatively affects your behavior, from how you feel and think to how you act and make decisions. Depression is more than just a feeling of sadness, it’s an actual medical condition, and it is treatable.

Depression causes feelings of extreme sadness/or a loss of interest in activities or life. It can lead to emotional and physical problems, which decreases one’s ability to function at work and at home. It is also called “major depressive disorder” or “clinical depression.”

The typical approach to treating people with clinical depression is medication and talk therapy. Research has shown that these paired treatments work effectively and may completely help you recover from depression in a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on severity.

Sadness vs. Depression

Sadness is an emotion that every normal person experiences caused by undesirable events. Plenty of life events can make us sad, unhappy, and unfulfilled — from the loss or absence of a loved one to a divorce or a failed business venture.

The two key elements that make sadness different from depression are: it has a trigger and can be alleviated through crying, venting, and talking it out with family or friends. In time, it passes.

Depression will make you feel the same emotion, sadness, without any trigger. If you feel sad for more than two weeks without an apparent reason, you should talk to a doctor. 

Depression comes in multiple types, many of which have similar recognizable symptoms. Here is a general idea of what comprises depression:

• Constant feelings of sadness, hopelessness, worthlessness, or emptiness
• Irritability, frustration, or restlessness
• Loss of interest in activities or hobbies that used to be enjoyable
• Difficulty sleeping, sleep disturbances, or sleeping too much
• Fatigue and lack of energy
• Difficulty thinking, remembering, concentrating, or making decisions
• Appetite or weight changes
• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
• Physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, or back pain

You may think these are quite common experiences you may have encountered once or multiple times. However, experiencing some combination of these symptoms for at least two weeks may signify that you are in the midst of a depressive episode.

Depression affects anyone, even those who appear normal, lively, and happy.

Several factors can play a role in depression:

Genetics

A family history of depression may make it more likely for you to get it. It’s thought that the condition can be passed down. If your parents have depression, you are likelier to have it too.

Death or Loss

Sadness and grief are normal reactions; however, such big stresses can trigger depression, like thoughts of suicide or feelings of worthlessness.

Conflict

Personal troubles or disputes with family or friends may lead to depression.

Abuse

Past physical, sexual, or emotional abuse can lead to depression as well. If you have been through abuse, even if it has passed, we advise that you talk to a doctor without hesitation.

Medications

Depression can be a side effect of some medical drugs you take for another condition.

Substance abuse

Another common cause of depression is substance abuse. Some people rely on drugs to relieve emotional stresses, which may result in abuse later in life.

Other problems

Social isolation due to another illness or separation from a family or social group can lead to depression.

Life events

Sometimes, even good things, like moving or graduating, could make you depressed. Although it may feel counterintuitive, the sudden environment change can trigger feelings of loneliness.

Other illnesses

Sometimes depression pairs with, or can be a reaction to, another illness. Examples include:

• Sleep problems
• Chronic pain
• Anxiety
• ADHD

Most fear that depression may impact their whole lives forever. However, even the most severe depression is treatable. Learning about depression treatment options will help you decide which approach is the best for you.

Psychological Treatments for Depression

Also known as talking therapies, psychological therapies help you change your thinking patterns and improve your coping skills in dealing with life’s stresses and conflicts. This method can help you stay well by identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behavior.

Medical Treatment for Depression

This treatment is commonly known as antidepressant medication. There’s a lot of misinformation about antidepressants. However, it is seen as the most useful in treating moderate to severe depression and some anxiety disorders.

Each treatment works for different people. Some may do well on one, and some others may not. Also, there are cases that medications may be incorporated with psychological treatment to maximize the effectiveness of the treatment.

It’s important to remember that recovery doesn’t happen overnight, and it can take time – some take years. Just as no two people are the same, neither are their recoveries.

Be patient and go easy on yourself; we’ll be here to help using whichever treatment option works best for you. The important part is that you get treatment and know you are not alone.